Are Cameras the New Guns?
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 15 years
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I had been contemplating whether to post an article on the growing "illegality" of filming police for a while. While it is not really GPS related, many instances seem traffic related and we have had a spat of posts concerning "privacy". These have included OnStar recording your driving and clandestine installation of GPS devise on a person's car.
In following one of the links, I ran across this article, with the nifty title: Are Cameras the New Guns?
http://gizmodo.com/5553765/are-cameras-the-new-guns
Gizmodo writes; "In response to a flood of Facebook and YouTube videos that depict police abuse, a new trend in law enforcement is gaining popularity. In at least three states, it is now illegal to record any on-duty police officer. .... The legal justification for arresting the "shooter" rests on existing wiretapping or eavesdropping laws, with statutes against obstructing law enforcement sometimes cited. ..."
To me, it is unfortunate that Gizmodo uses the word "illegal" as if the action of recording is actually illegal and second that Gizmodo has not challenged the supposed legality.
Particularly egregious is the phrase "obstructing law enforcement". So it is legal for law enforcement to obtain evidence against you by recording you, but it is illegal for you to have evidence obtained by recording the police that might document your innocence and illegal police behavior?!?!?!
First, as I have previously expressed; privacy is "dead" and the arguments opposing the supposed "illegality" should be based on the First and Fourth Amendments.
CA Governor Lets Police Search Your Smartphones At Traffic Stops
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20111010/16473416292/ca-gov...
Guy Arrested, Threatened With 15 Years For Recording Traffic Stop In Illinois
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110929/10325216136/guy-ar...
Does The NYPD Really Think That Shooting Photos/Videos Of Protests Is 'Disorderly Conduct?'
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110928/12470016125/does-n...
There are many more such stories at TechDirt.
We have police to protect society from those committing crimes. The police do not have a right, especially in public places, to criminalize people so that the police can "hide" their actions. When the police can arrest you for filming their actions to "hide" the truth, then we have descended into a police state.
In the movie "V" their is a very prophetic quote: "People should not be afraid of their governments. Governments should be afraid of their people."
"obstructing law enforcement"
They use it to remove the possibility of recording illegal actions. First, by removing the person from the scene, and secondly by seizing the evidence.
We have passed the police state stage. We are now living in a fascist, totalitarian regime here in North America.
nüvi 3790T | Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, will make violent revolution inevitable ~ JFK
Photography's Not A Crime..!!
If you want the scoop on what's going on pertaining to this subject, check out..
http://www.pixiq.com/contributors/248
Carlos is active in this very same situation.
Nuvi1300WTGPS
I'm not really lost.... just temporarily misplaced!
But the Police Know Artistry (sarcasm)
If you want the scoop on what's going on pertaining to this subject, check out..
http://www.pixiq.com/contributors/248
Carlos is active in this very same situation.
Nuvi1300WTGPS
Very Very Sad. In taking a look at your link, I was reminded of this story. So the police can define artistic value? Shocking.
"Police Say They Can Detain Photographers If Their Photographs Have 'No Apparent Esthetic Value'"
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110815/23584515540/police...
Garmin Nuvi650 - Morehead City, NC
Good site
If you want the scoop on what's going on pertaining to this subject, check out..
http://www.pixiq.com/contributors/248
Carlos is active in this very same situation.
Nuvi1300WTGPS
Yup, I've had occasion to visit Carlos' site before, he does good work. Not least in keeping a whole bunch of clueless, bullying and, in the worst cases, corrupt goons under scrutiny.