Comment Submitted by Jeraldine Joy Wells

I agree with this proposal. I believe the agencies which enforce and investigate the claims against persons who are believed to be involved in criminal or suspicious activity should be protected from the general public. I do not think that all information obtained on individuals should be shared with people or agencies that are not directly impacted or affected by the information. It is vital to investigations to keep some information private in order to effectively follow up on cases that may be of national security. Law enforcement, immigration, intelligence activities, and protective services are among the groups which information should be shared for safety and intelligence reasons. If certain information is available to the general public it could cause a safety and security risk for law enforcement. It could also allow the person under investigation the ability to impede the investigation or tamper with evidence or witnesses. It could also allow persons of interest to elude law enforcement agencies. Law enforcement agencies keep records of illegal activity in attempt to build a case against the subjects. If this information gets in the wrong hands it could be detrimental to the future of the investigation. The names and personal information of people involved in the case would also be available including that of confidential informants. This could endanger the lives and safety of many people and compromise the investigation. If anyone could see the information gathered against them they could interfere with the investigation and make it impossible for law enforcement to serve subpoenas or warrants as the individual would elude the officers. Civilians believe they should have access to all information, however, this is not true. Information without knowledge of the subject could be harmful to everyone involved. Intelligence should be shared on a need to know basis and the public does not need to until the case is resolved or knowledge would keep them safe.