IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Southeastern Pennsylvania :

Transportation Authority, :

 Petitioner : 

 : 

v. : No. 1255 C.D. 2022

: Submitted: May 5, 2023

Erik Steinheiser (Office of :

Open Records), :

 Respondent :

BEFORE: HONORABLE ANNE E. COVEY, Judge

HONORABLE MICHAEL H. WOJCIK, Judge

HONORABLE STACY WALLACE, Judge

OPINION NOT REPORTED

MEMORANDUM OPINION 

BY JUDGE WALLACE FILED: January 5, 2024

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) petitions 

for review of the October 13, 2022 final determination of the Office of Open Records

(OOR). The OOR’s final determination directed SEPTA to provide Erik Steinheiser

(Steinheiser) with surveillance footage he requested, subject to redactions to protect 

the personal security of SEPTA personnel under Section 708(b)(1)(ii) of the Rightto-Know Law (Law), Act of February 14, 2008, P.L. 6, 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(1)(ii). 

SEPTA argues the video should be exempt from disclosure in its entirety, and, in the 

alternative, Steinheiser should have to pay for the cost of redactions. After careful 

review, we vacate and remand.
2

I. Background

On July 8, 2022, SEPTA Police responded to the West Trenton Regional Rail 

Line after receiving a report of “a male wearing body armor seated directly next to 

the train engineer’s control stand.” Reproduced Record (R.R.) at 18a. When police 

arrived, they identified the male as Steinheiser. Id. Additionally, the police learned

Steinheiser was lawfully in possession of a loaded firearm. Id. Because the train 

engineer and conductors refused to transport Steinheiser, the police offered to drive 

him to his destination in a squad car. Id. Steinheiser was unwilling to relinquish his 

firearm while in the squad car, so the police instead placed him “on the next Regional 

Rail train in a car with a police escort.” Id. 

Steinheiser submitted a request for public records to SEPTA on July 10, 2022. 

He explained his request as follows:

I am requesting video surveillance of all cameras on the West Trenton 

Line R3 for the 12:31 train scheduled to depart from Langhorne Station 

on Friday, July 8th 2022. This would be train number 6321 from the 

schedule. I am requesting all footage on all cameras on the train from 

Langhorne Station up to the end of the route. There was a police action 

incident at Somerton Station on this train that I also want full and 

complete footage included in this request.

R.R. at 1a.

SEPTA denied Steinheiser’s request on August 17, 2022. SEPTA contended 

the video was exempt from disclosure under the personal security exception found 

at Section 708(b)(1)(ii) of the Law. R.R. at 4a. SEPTA reasoned releasing the video

would create “a reasonable likelihood of a substantial and demonstrable risk to the 

security of the SEPTA Police Officers and SEPTA train engineers and conductor.” 

Id.
3

Steinheiser appealed to the OOR. In defense of its decision, SEPTA submitted 

an affidavit from its Acting Chief of Police Charles Lawson (Chief Lawson). Chief 

Lawson averred releasing the video would endanger SEPTA personnel. R.R. at 18a19a. He explained the video “depicts the train engineer and conductors who refused 

to transport” Steinheiser on July 8, 2022. Id. Based on Chief Lawson’s training and 

experience in law enforcement, there was a risk Steinheiser “will be able to identify 

and find those SEPTA personnel” and then “potentially use his firearm against them 

and/or harass them via other means.” Id. at 19a. Chief Lawson added that members 

of the public might “be able to identify and find those SEPTA personnel, and harass 

them.”1 Id.

The OOR issued a final determination on October 13, 2022, granting in part 

and denying in part Steinheiser’s appeal. The OOR found Chief Lawson credible

and concluded release of the video “would likely create a very real threat of physical 

harm to those SEPTA personnel.” R.R. at 128a. Because SEPTA did not establish 

any threat to members of the public, however, and because the public would not have 

an expectation of privacy while riding public transportation, the OOR concluded the 

video was not exempt in its entirety. Id. The OOR directed that SEPTA could redact 

“faces or any other identifying information of SEPTA personnel” but must otherwise 

release the video. Id. 

SEPTA filed a petition for review in this Court. SEPTA argues (1) the video 

is exempt from disclosure in its entirety because its release would pose a risk of harm 

to the public, (2) Steinheiser should pay the cost of SEPTA retaining a third-party

vendor to redact the video, and (3) we may hold a hearing or remand to the OOR to 

1 SEPTA also submitted the SEPTA Police incident report from July 8, 2022, data showing arrests 

by SEPTA Police for alleged crimes involving guns, and a SEPTA policy prohibiting “threatening 

items” on SEPTA property. R.R. at 15a-16a, 21a-95a, 116a-17a.
4

develop the record on the reasonable cost of redaction and Steinheiser’s willingness 

to pay. 

II. Discussion

When reviewing the OOR’s final determination regarding public records, this 

Court is the ultimate fact-finder and conducts de novo review, meaning we owe the 

OOR no deference. Am. C.L. Union of Pa. v. Pa. State Police, 232 A.3d 654, 662-

63 (Pa. 2020). We need not defer to the OOR, but we may adopt its findings of fact 

and legal conclusions when appropriate. Id. (quoting Bowling v. Off. of Open Recs., 

75 A.3d 453, 474 (Pa. 2013)). 

Records in possession of Commonwealth and local agencies are presumed to 

be public. Pa. Pub. Util. Comm’n v. Friedman, 293 A.3d 803, 814-15 (Pa. Cmwlth. 

2023) (citing Section 305(a) of the Law, 65 P.S. § 67.305(a)). The burden rests on 

an agency to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the Law’s exceptions to 

disclosure apply.

2

 Cal. Univ. of Pa. v. Schackner, 168 A.3d 413, 417 (Pa. Cmwlth. 

2017) (citing Brown v. Pa. Dep’t of State, 123 A.3d 801, 804 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2015)); 

see Section 708(a)(1) of the Law, 65 P.S. § 67.708(a)(1). We construe the exceptions 

narrowly, consistent with the Law’s “goal of promoting government transparency 

and its remedial nature.” Cal. Borough v. Rothey, 185 A.3d 456, 465 (Pa. Cmwlth. 

2018) (quoting Off. of Governor v. Davis, 122 A.3d 1185, 1191 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2015) 

(en banc)).

As summarized above, SEPTA relies on the personal security exception found 

at Section 708(b)(1)(ii) of the Law. To meet its burden of proof under this exception, 

2 An agency meets its burden if it proves, “even by the smallest amount,” that it is more likely than 

not the record is exempt from disclosure. See Povacz v. Pa. Pub. Util. Comm’n, 280 A.3d 975, 

999 n.25 (Pa. 2022); Del. Cnty. v. Schaefer ex. rel. Phila. Inquirer, 45 A.3d 1149 (Pa. Cmwlth. 

2012).
5

SEPTA must establish a “reasonable likelihood” of an alleged harm. Rothey, 185 

A.3d at 468. Speculation and conjecture do not suffice. Id. (citing Lutz v. City of 

Phila., 6 A.3d 669, 676 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2010)). The exception provides as follows:

(b) Exceptions.--Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d), the 

following are exempt from access by a requester under this act:

(1) A record, the disclosure of which:

. . . .

(ii) would be reasonably likely to result in a 

substantial and demonstrable risk of physical 

harm to or the personal security of an 

individual.

65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(1)(ii). 

In its first issue, SEPTA emphasizes the OOR’s conclusion that releasing the 

video will pose a risk to the personal security of SEPTA personnel. SEPTA’s Br. at 

11-17. SEPTA argues, based on Chief Lawson’s affidavit, that the public will also 

be at risk should the video be released. Id. Thus, it asks that we “allow for exclusion 

of the entirety of the video given the risk of harm to the public.” Id. at 11. SEPTA 

relies on the following excerpt from Chief Lawson’s affidavit:

The train video depicts the train engineer and conductors who refused 

to transport a passenger with a loaded firearm. Based on my training 

and experience in law enforcement, there is a risk to the safety of the 

SEPTA personnel who responded to this incident if the video footage 

of the incident is provided to members of the public. The risk is that 

members of the public will be able to identify and find those SEPTA 

personnel, and harass them.

R.R. at 19a.
6

The personal security exception addresses risks of harm to, and the personal 

security of, “an individual,” rather than the general public. 65 P.S. § 67.708(b)(1)(ii) 

(emphasis added). It may apply to a group of individuals “based upon evidence that 

establishes that the release of certain information poses a likelihood of a substantial 

and demonstrable risk to the personal security of that group of individuals.” Crocco 

v. Pa. Dep’t of Health, 214 A.3d 316 (Pa. 2019) (quoting State Emps. Ret. Sys. v. 

Fultz, 107 A.3d 860, 868 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2015)). Even so, Chief Lawson did not aver 

in his affidavit that releasing the video will pose a risk of harm to any members of 

the public present during the incident on July 8, 2022. He averred there will be a 

risk of harm to SEPTA personnel should the video be released to the public. Our 

review of the record does not reveal any indication, in Chief Lawson’s affidavit or 

elsewhere, that members of the public will be at risk of harm should the video be 

released. Therefore, SEPTA’s first issue fails.

SEPTA’s second issue involves the OOR’s directive that it could redact faces 

or identifying information of SEPTA personnel before releasing the video. SEPTA 

contends it lacks the ability to redact the video internally and would need to retain a 

third-party vendor to perform the redactions. SEPTA’s Br. at 11-12, 18-19. Citing 

an affidavit and estimate, which it submitted for the first time as attachments to its 

petition for review, SEPTA contends redacting the video would cost approximately

$22,200.3 Id. at 19. According to SEPTA, it asked Steinheiser to prepay the cost of 

the redactions, but he refused. Id. at 19-20. SEPTA asks that we require Steinheiser 

to “make a credible commitment of his intent to pay for the reproduced record in a 

3 Specifically, SEPTA attached an affidavit from William Marchesani, the Technical Manager of 

its Video Surveillance Department, and an e-mail from a third party containing the estimated cost 

of redactions. R.R. at 156a-58a. The $22,200 estimated cost derives from the fact that Steinheiser 

requested 2 hours of footage involving 56 different cameras, approximately. Id. 
7

redacted form prior to requiring SEPTA to expend substantial public monies to retain 

an outside vendor to accomplish reproduction of the video.” Id. at 20. 

Similarly, in its third issue, SEPTA suggests this Court may hold a hearing or 

remand the case to the OOR if we determine “that the record is not complete on the 

issue of the cost and feasibility of redaction.” SEPTA’s Br. at 20. SEPTA explains 

the parties did not address the question of redaction before the OOR, and, as a result, 

it did not obtain a cost estimate until after the OOR issued a final determination. Id. 

SEPTA adds we may also hold a hearing or remand to address Steinheiser’s “intent 

to pay for the actual cost SEPTA will incur” to redact the video. Id. at 21.

SEPTA justifies its request for prepayment by citing Section 1307 of the Law.

In relevant part, that section provides as follows:

(b) Duplication.—

(1) Fees for duplication by photocopying, printing from 

electronic media or microfilm, copying onto electronic 

media, transmission by facsimile or other electronic means 

and other means of duplication shall be established:

(i) by the [OOR], for Commonwealth 

agencies and local agencies;

. . . .

(2) The fees must be reasonable and based on prevailing 

fees for comparable duplication services provided by local 

business entities.

. . . . 

(g) Limitations.--Except as otherwise provided by statute, no other 

fees may be imposed unless the agency necessarily incurs costs for 

complying with the request, and such fees must be reasonable. No fee 

may be imposed for an agency’s review of a record to determine 
8

whether the record is a public record, legislative record or financial 

record subject to access in accordance with this act.

(h) Prepayment.--Prior to granting a request for access in accordance 

with this act, an agency may require a requester to prepay an estimate 

of the fees authorized under this section if the fees required to fulfill the 

request are expected to exceed $100.

65 P.S. § 67.1307(b)(1)-(2), (g)-(h).

SEPTA’s affidavit and estimate indicate it lacks the ability to redact the video 

in compliance with the OOR’s final determination and will necessarily incur the cost 

of retaining a third-party vendor to perform the redactions. If the cost of redactions

is necessary and reasonable under Section 1307(g), SEPTA may require prepayment 

under Section 1307(h) before producing the redacted video. Nonetheless, due to the 

procedural posture of this case, the OOR has not had the opportunity to address the 

necessity and reasonableness of SEPTA’s estimated cost. We believe the best course 

of action is to remand so that SEPTA may supplement the record and the OOR may 

rule on these issues in the first instance. 

On remand, we encourage the parties to reach an amicable resolution of this 

dispute. The parties may, as SEPTA proposes, compromise on the estimated cost of 

redactions by reducing the amount of video Steinheiser receives. See SEPTA’s Br. 

at 20. It may be possible to provide Steinheiser with a video that adequately captures 

the incident on July 8, 2022, without redacting what SEPTA describes as 2 hours of 

footage from 56 cameras. See R.R. at 156a-58a. SEPTA should provide additional 

estimates for, and Steinheiser may agree to receive, video that covers a shorter time

period or captures the incident from fewer than all camera angles.

4

4 The OOR’s official fee schedule provides that “[n]o additional fee may be imposed” for redacting 

records. Office of Open Records, Official RTKL Fee Schedule, 

https://www.openrecords.pa.gov/RTKL/FeeStructure.cfm (last visited January 4, 2023). We read 

(Footnote continued on next page...)
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III. Conclusion

Accordingly, we vacate the OOR’s October 13, 2022 final determination and 

remand for consideration of the necessity and reasonableness of SEPTA’s estimated 

cost of redactions under Section 1307(g). 

______________________________

STACY WALLACE, Judge

the OOR’s schedule to prohibit fees for time spent redacting records such as copied or printed 

documents, rather than fees for the cost of retaining a third-party vendor to redact requested videos. 

See Pa. Dep’t of Educ. v. Bagwell, 131 A.3d 638, 651 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2015) (citing 65 P.S. § 

67.1307(g); State Emp. Ret. Sys. v. Off. of Open Recs., 10 A.3d 358 (Pa. Cmwlth. 2010)). Section 

1310(a)(8) of the Law, 65 P.S. § 67.1310(a)(8), directs the OOR must “[c]onduct a biannual review 

of fees charged under this act.” It would be beneficial for the OOR to clarify if and when redaction 

fees are permissible when it conducts its next biannual review. 
IN THE COMMONWEALTH COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA

Southeastern Pennsylvania :

Transportation Authority, :

 Petitioner : 

 : 

v. : No. 1255 C.D. 2022

: 

Erik Steinheiser (Office of :

Open Records), :

 Respondent :

O R D E R 

 AND NOW, this 5th day ofJanuary 2024, the Office of Open Records’ (OOR) 

October 13, 2022 final determination is VACATED and the matter is REMANDED

to the OOR consistent with this Opinion. The OOR is directed to consider whether 

the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s estimated redaction costs

are necessary and reasonable under Section 1307(g) of the Right-to-Know Law, Act 

of February 14, 2008, P.L. 6, 65 P.S. § 67.1307(g). The OOR shall issue a new final 

determination from which an appeal may be taken within 45 days of the date of this 

order. 

Jurisdiction relinquished. 

______________________________

STACY WALLACE, Judge