Public Service Attorneys Committee

All:  

I am hoping that someone has some advice regarding a public records requester who is currently fairly successful obstructing county offices with her requests.  If you look below, the first "email" is a response I received from ChatGPT when I asked it to generate a public records request similar to one our county actually received.  The one below that is an example of one we received today from our local requester.  It is clear to me that these requests are AI generated by her.  This week we received well over a dozen of these.  The more we respond, the more she sends.  

I know that HB 314 will hopefully address this.  However, my understanding is that there is concern about how that bill is worded and it may not pass. Any suggestions on how to appropriately deal with these would be appreciated.  

Also, I do think that OSBA needs to look at HB 314.  If it is not worded well, we should weigh in on changes to make it better. 

Dear Records Custodian,

Pursuant to applicable public records laws, I am writing to request access to records related to the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, by your law enforcement agency.

Specifically, I request copies of the following records for the period of January 1, 2020, to the present:

1. Policies and Procedures
• All current and prior policies, general orders, standard operating procedures, or guidelines governing the acquisition, deployment, and use of drones.
2. Usage Logs and Deployment Records
• Logs, reports, or databases documenting each instance of drone deployment, including:
• Date and time of use
• Location of deployment
• Purpose of deployment (e.g., search and rescue, surveillance, crowd monitoring)
• Case or incident number, if applicable
3. Training Records
• Documentation of training requirements and records showing which personnel are authorized or certified to operate drones.
4. Equipment and Capabilities
• Records identifying the make, model, and technical capabilities of drones in use, including but not limited to:
• Imaging capabilities (e.g., thermal, infrared, facial recognition, zoom)
• Data collection and storage features
5. Data Retention and Sharing
• Policies and records regarding the retention, storage, and deletion of data collected by drones
• Records of any data-sharing agreements or instances of data sharing with other agencies or third parties
6. Procurement and Funding
• Contracts, purchase orders, invoices, grant applications, and grant awards related to the acquisition and maintenance of drones
7. Audits, Complaints, and Oversight
• Internal audits, reviews, or assessments of drone use
• Complaints, investigations, or disciplinary actions related to drone operations

If any portion of these records is exempt from disclosure, please provide the non-exempt portions and cite the specific legal basis for each redaction or withholding.

I request that these records be provided in electronic format where available. If there are any fees associated with this request, please inform me in advance if the total is expected to exceed $50.

If my request is unclear or requires narrowing, I am willing to discuss reasonable modifications to facilitate processing.

Please confirm receipt of this request and provide an estimated timeframe for completion.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]

Begin forwarded message:

From: 
Date: March 20, 2026 at 12:21:38 AM EDT
Subject: [EXTERNAL] PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST Ohio Public Records Act – R.C. 149.43

To the Records Custodian:

Pursuant to R.C. 149.43, I request copies of records sufficient to demonstrate acquisition, operation, deployment, and compliance relating to any unmanned aerial systems (UAS), drones, or similar aerial surveillance equipment owned, operated, or used by or in coordination with the Mercer County Sheriff's Office, including any task force or interagency operations (including but not limited to the Grand Lake Task Force).

This request includes, but is not limited to, equipment acquired through federal or state grant funding, including Byrne JAG or similar programs.

Please provide the following records:

1. Acquisition / Funding Records
• Grant applications, award documents, and subgrant agreements relating to UAS/drone equipment
• Purchase records, invoices, and vendor information
• Any Commissioners' resolutions or approvals authorizing purchase
2. Inventory Records
• Inventory lists identifying UAS/drone equipment (make, model, serial number if available)
• Records identifying the unit, office, or agency responsible for each device
3. Policies and Procedures
• All written policies governing UAS/drone use
• Any use-of-force, surveillance, privacy, or warrant-related policies applicable to drone deployment
• Any restrictions or guidelines on when drones may or may not be used
4. Deployment / Flight Records
• Records sufficient to show UAS/drone deployments, including:
• date
• time
• general location/area of operation
• purpose of deployment (e.g., training, search, investigation, task force activity)
• Please include records relating to deployments within or near:
• August 11, 2022
• October 11, 2023
• and any other documented task force operations
5. Training and Certification
• Records of operator certification (including FAA Part 107 or equivalent)
• Training logs for personnel authorized to operate UAS equipment
6. Maintenance and Operational Records
• Maintenance logs, inspection records, and repair history
• Records reflecting operational status of equipment
7. Data Retention and Storage
• Policies and records identifying how UAS/drone footage or data is stored, retained, or destroyed
• Any logs or records of captured data or footage associated with deployments
8. Grant Compliance and Reporting
• Any reports submitted to state or federal agencies regarding UAS/drone use
• Records demonstrating compliance with grant requirements for equipment use, tracking, and reporting
9. Interagency / Task Force Use
• Any records showing use of UAS/drone equipment in connection with:
• the Grand Lake Task Force
• any joint operations
• any coordination with state or federal agencies

If responsive records are maintained by another office or agency, please forward this request and identify that office in writing.

If any portion of this request is denied, please provide the specific legal basis for denial pursuant to R.C. 149.43(B), identify the withheld records with reasonable specificity, and identify the person responsible for the denial.

If any requested record does not exist, please state that fact in writing and identify the office or person responsible for such determination.

Please provide records in electronic format if available.

Please confirm receipt of this request and provide the records within a reasonable period of time as required by Ohio law.

Sincerely,

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Amy Ikerd
Asst Prosecuting Atty
Mercer County Prosecutor's Office
Celina OH

amyi@mercercountyoh.govamyi@mercercountyoh.gov
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