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City Admits Too Much Info Redacted, Makes No Apology

http://66.225.205.104/JR20120326a.mp3

The City of Charlotte has released some previously-redacted details regarding preparation for security at the Democratic National Convention. But the city is not apologizing for having withheld information it now concludes was not appropriate to redact. When the Charlotte Observer requested emails related to DNC security from the city, the response was a heavily-redacted thread. The city cited the need to protect "sensitive public security information." In further digging, the Observer obtained - and published - some un-redacted versions of the emails, and the information didn't seem all that sensitive. So, the city attorney's office agreed to take another look and has now released a version that has far fewer black marks obliterating secret material. In a statement, the city says "cold hard fact" is there are those looking to disrupt and do harm during the convention and we don't" apologize for being vigilant." Many of the formerly-redacted pieces of the DNC email thread seem mundane - a response that says "FYI" or a one-line question from CMPD Chief Rodney Monroe asking, "Why are we having this meeting?" There are several emails from individuals eager to offer security products and services during the DNC. Their names and product details are still redacted. And there is one exchange from last June that shows CMPD and its federal security partners off to a bit of a rocky start in their partnership to secure the city for the DNC. CMPD Deputy Chief Harold Medlock sent a testy email chastising his Secret Service contact for not consulting him first in scheduling a series of meetings. Medlock ends by saying "I trust decisions such as this will not become a pattern." The City of Charlotte has received a $50 million federal grant for security during the DNC.