Case Name: Carolyn R. MENSAH, a/k/a Carol Allen, Appellant v. DARBY BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 2005-08-19
Citations: 145 F. App'x 742
Docket Number: No. 05-2193
Parties: Carolyn R. MENSAH, a/k/a Carol Allen, Appellant v. DARBY BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Judges: Before ROTH, BARRY and SMITH, Circuit Judges.
Reporter: West's Federal Appendix
Volume: 145
Pages: 742–743

Head Matter:
Carolyn R. MENSAH, a/k/a Carol Allen, Appellant v. DARBY BOROUGH POLICE DEPARTMENT.
No. 05-2193.
United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.
Submitted Under 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B) June 16, 2005.
Decided Aug. 19, 2005.
Before ROTH, BARRY and SMITH, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
OPINION
PER CURIAM
Appellant Carolyn Mensah, a/k/a Carol Allen, appeals from the dismissal of her complaint as frivolous. The appeal is frivolous and we will dismiss pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1915(e)(2)(B)®.
On March 15, 2005, Mensah filed a three-page complaint under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 alleging that the Darby Police Department is retaining fictitious criminal information on both her and her sons. Additionally, she claims that this information has led to the use of aircraft and other devices for surveillance purposes. Mensah seeks an injunction compelling the Darby Police to expunge whatever records they may have with references to some incident occurring on May 20, 1989, and we surmise, an injunction prohibiting the alleged surveillance. In a one-sentence order, the District Court dismissed the complaint as frivolous. Mensah appealed.
We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We will dismiss an appeal as frivolous under § 1915(e)(2)(B) when it is lacking in arguable legal merit. We exercise plenary review over the dismissal of a complaint. Oran v. Stafford, 226 F.3d 275, 281 n. 2 (3d Cir.2000). Here, even if we accepted the complaint as true, the filing of false information states a claim for libel or defamation, a state law tort, not a constitutional violation. See generally Bd. of Regents v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564, 92 S.Ct. 2701, 33 L.Ed.2d 548 (1972) (requiring a deprivation of either property or liberty to assert a due process claim); Paton v. La Prade, 524 F.2d 862, 869-71 (3d Cir.1975) (involving a First Amendment challenge to the collection and maintenance of records). Even if it were a constitutional violation, Mensah would likely now be time-barred. See 42 Pa. Cons.Stat. Ann. § 5523(1), 5524(7). Similarly, harassment alone does not amount to a constitutional violation. Even assuming arguendo that Mensah could show that her claim states a violation, the Darby Police would be immune because to succeed under § 1983, the violated right must be "clearly established." See Carswell v. Borough of Homestead, 381 F.3d 235, 241-42 (3d Cir.2004). Mensah cannot make this showing.
For the foregoing reasons, the appeal is frivolous. Accordingly, we will dismiss.