Massachusetts state regulations dictate that records revealing public actions such as court documents, police arrest records, marriage certificates, traffic infractions and more are open and available for the general public, largely because of the Indiana's Public Records Act. These laws, or rather series of laws, give Petersburg residents the opportunity to look for, record, and apply this data, which includes particulars about those involved, if the event took place, the final results associated with a municipal action, and particulars on what transpired. Because of these regulations, and the records made public consequently, inhabitants of Petersburg can better recognize their own rights; keeping both offenders and governing administration authorities liable for their activities, and promoting a free and open society for all.