Weeks v. City of St. Louis, Missouri

Phillip Weeks, a local activist who runs the non-profit news site The Gram, has filed suit against the City of St. Louis for violating the state’s Sunshine Law by refusing to give him information about vehicle stops conducted by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD).

In denying Weeks’ request, SLMPD has claimed that the records requested have been digitized and are now under the control of the Regional Justice Information Services Commission (REJIS), which provides IT support for the City and a number of law enforcement agencies across the state. REJIS was a defendant in the case, but Weeks voluntarily dismissed it from the case after it became clear that REJIS is not the custodian of records for Sunshine Law purposes. Weeks is now only suing SLMPD, the agency responsible for denying him the records to which he was entitled.

There is no question that the SLMPD collects the information Weeks has requested. Under state law, every police department in Missouri is required to provide the state Attorney General’s Office with specific information, including the driver’s race, for each vehicle stop made within the state. The Attorney General’s office publishes an annual report summarizing the traffic stop data. These annual reports consistently show racial disparities in traffic stops. In 2018, black drivers were 91% more likely than white drivers to be stopped by law enforcement.

In the course of the litigation, Weeks received data that were responsive to his request–directly from the City, who nonetheless still denies they were obligated to produce the records. Each party has moved for summary judgment, and briefing is complete. Weeks is awaiting the court’s ruling.