Muskegon Sun

FOIA Request to Muskegon County Sheriff's Office regarding 2023 arrest records on September 24, 2025.

The Muskegon Sun, a media organization dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate news coverage on local governmental affairs, has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Muskegon County Sheriff's Office. The request, sent on September 24, 2025, seeks access to all arrest records from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The requested data includes detailed information such as the arrestee's name, sex, race, age, date of birth (DOB), citizenship status, booking ID, date of arrest, booking photo, names of arresting officers, type of crime committed, location of the crime, and date of the crime.

The request emphasizes the importance of accessing public records for journalistic purposes. As members of the media involved in gathering and reporting news to the public, it is crucial for us at Muskegon Sun to hold public institutions accountable and provide transparency. In light of this role in disseminating information to the public, we have requested a fee waiver as media professionals.

Additionally, the requestor is affiliated with The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy. This non-profit Missouri corporation assists news media companies and public advocacy groups in investigating state and federal governmental agencies. It leverages Freedom of Information and Sunshine Laws to promote transparency in government actions. More information about this organization can be found at this link.

We look forward to receiving this information in an electronic format as it will greatly aid in our reporting efforts. As always, we remain open for any questions or clarifications regarding this request.