Indiana Mayor Orders Slow Release of Information to Local Paper

By: Joe Strupp The Times of Munster, Ind., is being forced to wait three weeks for routine reports from the police department in nearby Hammond, the paper reported Tuesday, claiming Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott ordered the delays as punishment for the paper's coverage of his administration.

Hammond's chief of staff, Marty Wielgos, "cited no legal reason why the records would not be released in a timely manner or why release of information is not subject to Indiana's Open Records Law," the Times reported in Tuesday's edition. "He said other media may be provided information in a timely manner and that Hammond residents can turn to such media for current information."

Wielgos also said, according to the paper, that access to police information is being withheld because there is a "strained relationship" between the mayor's office and the Times.

The action comes as The Sun of Baltimore is having a similar battle with Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich, who ordered state employees several weeks ago not to speak with two Sun writers after the governor claimed they were providing poor coverage. That ban has resulted in a lawsuit by the newspaper challenging Ehrlich's order. The governor on Monday formally asked a federal court to dismiss the legal action.

The Times has been denied access to daily Hammond crime reports since Dec. 21, the paper reported, when McDermott ordered all requests for information -- including police reports -- to receive approval from his office.

McDermott has declined to discuss the policy, and did so again Monday, the Times said. His order came shortly after the newspaper published a news story on his request for a pay increase. In an editorial, the newspaper opposed the pay increase, citing a city financial crisis.

The Hammond City Council denied the mayor's request for a 5.6% raise Dec. 13.

After that story was published, McDermott announced he would only release information through news conferences, saying his frequent conversations with reporters on his personal cell phone were being used against him, the Times said.

Wielgos told the paper that he did not believe the new media policy would be permanent. "I think there are some bridges that need to be rebuilt, and I believe they can be. And I see that happening rather rapidly," Wielgos said to the Times.

Times Senior Managing Editor Gary Metro said the newspaper wants free access to police news and information.

"We think the mayor is playing a dangerous game," Metro said in Tuesday's paper. "This is a matter of public safety. The people of Hammond are being denied timely information that might be critical to their safety."