The scoops we get are a product of source relationships, public records and general nosiness (or a combination of all three). But those aren't tools exclusive to reporters.
Sure, we have the advantage of years of training and time during the work week to cultivate those skills, but these are all things you can 鈥� and should 鈥� be doing as an engaged citizen.
I've been on a City Hall beat for more than five years. When I moved to Northeast Ohio, it was important to me to live within the boundaries of the city I was covering, not only to gain a more intimate understanding of the triumphs and troubles facing my neighborhood and community, but because it gave me a vested interest in the stakes of our local government.
For example: earlier this month, I wrote about potholes. I've heard my neighbors complain about popped tires or bent rims (and experienced more than one occasion in which a grocery run in my Toyota Prius felt more like a 4x4 off-roading expedition). I wondered what the deal was. So I moseyed on over to the city of Cleveland's and pulled 311 service complaints, made some some quick pivot tables in a spreadsheet, crunched some numbers and voil脿: a story on a dramatic increase in potholes.
The great thing about public records is they are just that: public. Anyone can access them. You don't need media credentials or a fancy title. Under federal and , you can request just about anything related to government business. Want to see the group texts between your city council members? Request them. What about a database with the name of every dog registered in your county? Request it. Or who is funding your elected officials' re-election campaigns? Those are posted on the Board of Election website, but you can also request reports before they're audited and publicly posted.
And fortunately for Clevelanders like me, we now have access to the aforementioned Open Data portal. This online tool allows users to download spreadsheets, maps, public safety records, a crime dashboard and more in real-time without waiting around for public records requests to be filled (which can take some time - I've had outstanding requests sit for months or even a year). I frequently pull the 311 service requests to see what residents are complaining about and where. It's a treasure trove of information available to anyone who wants it.
I'm not saying you should inundate the law department with requests just for the sake of it. Cleveland fields more than 30,000 requests annually. In a department with limited staff and resources, it can draw out the fulfillment timeline. But if you have a nagging curiosity about how your local government works, there's a good chance it can be sated with a public records request (or two, or three). Be sure to brush up on local laws to know what a public records department can and cannot release to you. And I'm more than happy to talk you through it if you drop me a line.
The more engaged residents are, the better democracy functions. Elected officials can and should expect accountability and a demand for transparency, which can only be achieved when people take the time to engage with local government.
They're your tax dollars, so they're your records. Happy requesting!
