Montclair’s New OPRA Portal Goes Live (How To Request Public Records)

MONTCLAIR, NJ — People who seek public records from the Township of Montclair can now request them through an online portal.

The township recently gave an update about its Open Public Records Act (OPRA) process, noting that it is now accepting requests via its website. According to a municipal advisory, the portal allows the township to receive OPRA requests through a modern online platform, route them to staff automatically, and release records to individuals or the public at large.

People can submit a request online here.

As of Monday, there were more than a dozen information requests in “open” status. They included requests for police car crash reports, inquiries about permits and complaints involving local properties, crime statistics and bid specifications for local construction projects.

According to the ACLU of New Jersey, the OPRA law protects public access to government records maintained by public agencies in New Jersey. A “government record” is any record that has been made, maintained, or kept on file in the course of official public business, or that has been received in the course of official public business. Government records can include paper records, electronic files, audio recordings and other formats – although there are certain exemptions.

Anyone can file an OPRA request. Requestors are not required to give a reason for the request, and OPRA requests can even be filed anonymously, the ACLU-NJ notes.

See the New Jersey Government Records Council’s guide to OPRA law here.

• See Related: NJ Bills Would Gut Access To Public Records, Advocates Say

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Montclair Facebook page.