August 12, 1998



Scott Chitwood
Whitfield County Sheriff
Whitfield County Correctional Center
501 West Waugh Street
Dalton, GA 30720

Dear Mr. Chitwood:

     I am writing on behalf of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation.  We are an organization that seeks to advance the cause of open goverment and monitors freedom of information issues throughout this state.

     Mr. Lawrence Headrick, a professional photographers, has brought to our attention his concerns that certain deputies in your office have been selectively preventing him from approaching accident scenes that were otherwise being observed by the public.  Mr. Headrick has identified two specific occasions where this occurred, a July 3, 1998 accident scene on Beaverdale Road and a July 5, 1998 accident scene on Reed Road in Whitfield County.

     So that we can evaluate this matter further, we would appreciate an explanation of the events that transpired at these accident scenes with respect to Mr. Headrick and an explanation of your department's policies with respect to the media generally.

     I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.

                                                       Sincerely,



                                                        Hollie Manheimer,
                                                        Executive Director