By Thom Roddy – November 26, 2024

Today, Blackwater Reports Inc. has submitted a second formal request (below) to the Currituck County Manager, urging the County to bring its Public Records Request Portal into compliance with North Carolina General Statute 132. This statute clearly prohibits the requirement for personally identifiable information (PII) from individuals requesting access to public records.

Since launching the Public Records Request Portal, the system has mandated that citizens input personal details such as their name, email, and phone number, fields marked as mandatory. However, as outlined in G.S. 132-6:

“There is no specific authority to require that requests be in writing or that a requester identify him- or herself in order to obtain access. Furthermore, G.S. 132-6(b) prohibits custodians from requiring that persons requesting access to or a copy of a record disclose their purpose or motives in seeking access or the copy.”

While Currituck County allows requesters to bypass the mandatory fields by entering placeholder information (e.g., zeros), the existence of these requirements still violates state law. This practice not only creates unnecessary barriers but also undermines the statutory right of citizens to access public records without disclosing personal information.

We reiterate that the purpose of a public records portal is to streamline access to information—not to impose unauthorized conditions on that access. The law provides that anyone, regardless of citizenship or purpose, has the right to request public records without revealing their identity or intentions.

As public servants, Currituck County officials have a responsibility to ensure compliance with state law and respect the rights of those they serve. We await a prompt resolution to this issue and will continue to advocate for transparency and adherence to statutory requirements.

For updates on this matter and other issues of public interest, continue following Blackwater Reports.