Videotaping crooked cops could land YOU in jail

[pearlemae]

The city I live in has a group of activist that video the police ant time they are working any kind of protest patrols. The cops hate tha guy and try to get him to stop but he just keeps on filming. Also there was a protest about pesticide use downtown and the cops came an arrested one of the protester, why did the cops come Homeland security called them. We have a Homeland security office in town(didn't know they were here) he heard about the protest went down and said that they were causing a disturbance and called the police. The whole thing was taped the cops tasering the guy while hand cuffed and the whole bit. The protester was found guilty later totally screed up deal. We need to rein in the cops.

 

[SpasticGramps]

If the arrest was taking place in a public place, then you had no obligation to stop filming. You volunteered to do so.

Until they beat your ass and haul you off to jail anyway. Volunteer lol. Tell a Houston a cop that you have the right to anything and see what kind of response you get lol. I dunno where you live, but you outta come down to the deep south. Learn about Gestapo tactics.

 

[m00nchild]

^ You misunderstand me... I'm not saying cops don't break the law... In fact, it is very probable that most cops don't know that we have a right to film anything that takes place in public view, and will probably expect you to comply!

Yet you are 100% allowed to video ANYTHING that takes place in public view. So, just like any common situation where a citizen's rights are violated (such as, for instance, an unfair search or seizure), it will be thrown out of court. The problem most of the time, is people allow themselves to be intimidated by the cops, when the cops tell them they can't videotape here, or whatever. The one and only correct response to a cop telling you that is, "Yes, actually, I can." Then, if he beats you, you leave the camera recording, and you take the beating, without fighting back. You then go get a lawyer, who will love the open and shut aspect of this case, and will take you as a client pro bono, and you receive a nice pay day after suing the cop, the police force, the city, and anyone else the lawyer tells you to sue.

People's rights are eroding away for this exact reason... people don't know their own rights, and neither do cops, so everyone just bends over and spreads their cheeks.

I grew up in Florida, so trust me, I know the deep south. Also, I spent a night in jail in a podunk town in Georgia, many moons ago, after being illegally searched and they found some bud... it got thrown out of court, because I wasn't stupid, and I used my 5th amendment right to stay silent... but yeah, I know how it is, and even in the deep south they have to uphold the Bill of Rights.

 

[SpasticGramps]

People's rights are eroding away for this exact reason... people don't know their own rights, and neither do cops, so everyone just bends over and spreads their cheeks.

Agreed.

 

[CANNATOPIA]

I'll do some time for catching a crooked pig. No Problem!, at least that would be one less PIG in Action.

 

[MagdaAndBernie]

Years ago I was taping a pro-pot rally for my viewing, and friends that couldn't make it. Was told by uniformed, and plainclothes, to stop taping under threat of arrest. I laffed. Said "No", and kept taping. None ever tried to take me in, or block camera. Once they knew I wasn't gonna fall for the bluff, they moved on. They pick on the weak, and the hesitant. I'm neither.

 

[Cheeb]

^ You misunderstand me... I'm not saying cops don't break the law... In fact, it is very probable that most cops don't know that we have a right to film anything that takes place in public view, and will probably expect you to comply!

Yet you are 100% allowed to video ANYTHING that takes place in public view. So, just like any common situation where a citizen's rights are violated (such as, for instance, an unfair search or seizure), it will be thrown out of court. The problem most of the time, is people allow themselves to be intimidated by the cops, when the cops tell them they can't videotape here, or whatever. The one and only correct response to a cop telling you that is, "Yes, actually, I can." Then, if he beats you, you leave the camera recording, and you take the beating, without fighting back. You then go get a lawyer, who will love the open and shut aspect of this case, and will take you as a client pro bono, and you receive a nice pay day after suing the cop, the police force, the city, and anyone else the lawyer tells you to sue.

I dont think he misunderstood. As citizens clearly our word doesnt mean shit against theirs..and that video recording you so rightfully took..just got smashed.

Unfortunately no lawyer is going to see or even love the open and shut aspect of this case. Whats so open and shut about it? Do you really think that the camera and footage still exists at this point? Nah - your just beat the fuck up without any evidence of shit. PS - you've now assaulted a cop (even if you didnt).

Step back into the real world.

I'm all for holding onto our rights and making the police well aware that we know them, but its not exactly as easy as you claim. Your rights are not SHIT when nobody gives a SHIT about them.

hope you got money cuz you'll need a lot of it to get pretty much nowhere. Better off putting your cash into ammo and going out like a crazy.

The Constitution guarantees our rights...

LoL - if only we could whip out that trusty constitution when we really need it...stop preaching and keep reloading. It'll be the only way the beatings/killings stop.

 

[m00nchild]

I'm starting to think I'm the only one here who has ever videotaped cops before. I've videotaped them standing guard along crowd control borders during mass protests, and I've also videotaped them in mid-arrest, in full riot-garb... I've been "told" (read: asked) to turn off my camera multiple times, and I always politely decline... yet, I still have my camera, and I haven't been arrested for using it.

There are, apparently, many scared people living in the U.S. who don't know their rights, and they are somehow convincing others not to know their rights too. It's like the blind leading the blind in this country, lol.

I know, I'm just some internet stranger to everyone here, lol, but I can assure you, that if you are videotaping ANYONE (whether it's a cop, some bum, or President Obama) in a place that is viewable by public land, you are not breaking any laws. Now it's up to you to either be scared when the cops come up to you and harass you for NOT breaking any laws, or to stand up for your rights.

 

[SpasticGramps]

Yes you can photograph what you want from a public area. It doesn't change the fact that endless harassment is going to eventually act as a deterrent for the people who are afraid of authority, which is a lot of people. No matter how you look at it it's still Gestapo tactics which in and of itself infringes on our rights.

BP, cops detain reporter for taking pictures of oil refinery

A photographer taking pictures for ProPublica was detained Friday while shooting pictures in Texas City, Texas.

The photographer, Lance Rosenfield, said that shortly after arriving in town, he was confronted by a BP security officer, local police and a man who identified himself as an agent of the Department of Homeland Security. He was released after the police reviewed the pictures he had taken on Friday and recorded his date of birth, Social Security number and other personal information.

The police officer then turned that information over to the BP security guard under what he said was standard procedure, according to Rosenfield.

 

[Justin_Credible]

LINK

A law that has been preverted and is now used to protect crooked cops.

Jesus the cops in America really have it sewn up dont they!

Is this for real? WTF!?!? When did Russia become more like America, and vice verse?

 

[growingforfun]

i wonder if this is good news. by that same law people can get away with murder if the only proof is a security camra. im sure the killer wouldetn concent to being taped.


this is a freaking dumb law...

 

[Justin_Credible]

<clip>
this is a freaking dumb law...

again, when did America start acting like Russia and Russia start acting like America?

This country is over-run with "dumb laws"

We are now officially a "policed" state.
what's the ratio? 1 cop per 5 civilians?

 

[Phedrosbenny]

In my opinion the whole process should have to be taped.From the very moment the cops make contact with you it should be the law that it is being taped.Imagine all the bullshit that could be sorted out like this.

 

[kyndone]

im really starting to dislike cops, ...hahahaha

 

[Justin_Credible]

im really starting to dislike cops, ...hahahaha

I've never liked cops. Even when I was a kid, mom told me that they were no longer here to serve and protect...more so to help balance a state budget. I do not think I have ever walked away from an experience with a cop and said, "Wow, I feel great! What a great experience!"