FOIA Request to City of Scottsdale regarding hiker rescues and residency data on September 26, 2025.
The NE Valley Times has submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the City of Scottsdale. The request seeks records and de-identified datasets related to hiker rescues and heat-related incidents within the city from January 1, 2024, to the present. The areas of interest include McDowell Sonoran Preserve and Pinnacle Peak Park.
The request specifically asks for non-PHI CAD fields similar to those in a previous Phoenix request, including patient home city, state, and country if recorded. If HIPAA constraints prevent incident-level data release, an aggregate count showing rescued hikers by Arizona residents versus out-of-state or international visitors is requested. A breakdown by trailhead is also sought if feasible.
This request is made under the Arizona Public Records Law § 39.101 et seq., with a preference for receiving the information in electronic format. As this is a non-commercial inquiry by a media professional involved in news gathering and reporting, a fee waiver has been requested.
The NE Valley Times emphasizes its role in providing transparency and holding public institutions accountable through access to public records. This effort is supported by The Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy, which aids media organizations in investigating governmental actions using FOIA and Sunshine Laws.
Our team will continue to keep you updated as we gather and report news related to this request and other matters of public interest. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification regarding this matter.
