Organized Transparency
The Buffer Zone is a digital space built to make public records easier to access, understand, and share. What was meant to divide, now unites.
Explore the database
About the Buffer Zone
We exist in the space between authority and accountability. Our platform serves as a neutral ground where public information is organized, accessible, and meaningful to those who need it most.
Our Mission
To democratize access to public records and promote transparency in law enforcement through organized, searchable data.
Our Values
We believe in accountability, truth, and the public's right to access information that affects their communities.
Our Approach
We systematically collect, organize, and present public records in an accessible format that serves both researchers and citizens.
The "Buffer Zone" started as a court order meant to keep people quiet and far away; from the courthouse, from each other, and from the truth. What actually happened was the opposite. People showed up. They stood together. And the louder the system tried to shush them, the more the community leaned in.
It was a wild thing to witness: an actual zone, enforced by threats of arrest, designed to block speech, signs, and even T-shirts. For a lot of us, it felt like a civil rights violation happening in real time. But instead of shutting things down, it lit a fire.
This version of the Buffer Zone is digital. Inspired by the Woke Windows project, this space is dedicated to organizing public records, most of which are already available through FOIA, and making them easier to find, understand, and share. Welcome to the new "Buffer Zone".
Database Categories
Explore our comprehensive collection of public records organized by category. Each section contains verified data from official sources.
Have ideas for categories we should add? Email us with your suggestions.
Data Access Options
Choose how you want to access and work with our public records database.
Data Sources
Learn about our data collection methods and source verification processes.