Anyone file " freedom of info act" with town/village

And get denied?

My parents had a complaint made against their house and my dad filed the form and was told in 5 days he would have the name of the person who made the complaint. Well he was denied. No reasoning, just denied. My dad says they canto this, but I don't know if that is true.

I think it was their neighbor and he knows someone in the town bc my dad asked him if he made the complaint, and said no. Stupidly my dad told him he filled out this form and will know who called, the neighbor said "good".

Re: Anyone file " freedom of info act" with town/village

I know if you file a FOIL request with new york state (or agencies thereof) they HAVE to give you a reason if you're denied. I would think (but am not sure) it is the same for local municipalities.

Re: Anyone file " freedom of info act" with town/village

I've been denied. It happens for a variety of reasons - one of which is that the investigation is still open. I doubt they will reveal the name of the person that complained though. Most municipalities exclude that information because they don't want the persons who make the complaints to get harassed, and they want to encourage complaints.

Re: Anyone file " freedom of info act" with town/village

Sorry but the person's name should not be given as part of a FOIL request.

The FOIL request can simply say "complaint called in by neighbor" if you want to know why you got a letter from the town.

I should have a right as a citizen to have my identity protected if I want to call in a complaint against somebody that is breaking the law.

Re: Anyone file " freedom of info act" with town/village

They can protect names. You might want yours protected if you filed a complaint. I filed a FOIL request about a criminal matter & the defendant's name was redacted even though I know it. I got the information I that I felt I needed, which was about the investigation.