Baltimore Police threaten to arrest a man filming a Federal Hill arrest just one day after they are issued an order telling them that filming police in public is not a crime.
Just one day after the Baltimore Police Department released a directive affirming citizens’ right to videotape police officers performing their duties in public, police appear to have violated the policy.
Scott Cover sent us the link to this video he shot from his cell phone in the wee hours of Saturday morning in rainy Federal Hill. Cover said he happened upon police officers arresting a man outside a bar and decided to record the scene.”
-I live in Bal’mer myself and have considered doing this very thing. Now I know what to expect; typical cop-douche behavior.
p.s. PLEASE forward a link to the Commissioners office and ask for some accountability1
someone correct me if i’m wrong, but haven’t there been numerous federal court cases that have specifically said ‘loitering’ ordinances can in no way interfere with a citizens First Amendment rights?
Should have stayed and stood up to them.
Would have been an excellent way to have a few cops drug through the coals if they arrested you.
All you would need would be a half-way decent lawyer.
The judge wouldn’t have a choice but to exonerate you or he would be exposed as a fraud. (Not that such threats of exposure have stopped some judges in the recent past, but still…)
what a bunch of nazis!!!!!!!
Ill get this one cops…”we don’t have all the facts yet…and we don’t know the whole story…”
and don’t forget the trusty old
“I wasn’t there”
I would take this to a supervisor or 2. Don’t know what your standing in front of at the beggining. Sounds like she says something about blocking something so they might have some stupid ordinance. But I don’t see the legal justification for her telling you to leave.
I do commend you on your conduct. There was a bit of debating, but not much. The video speaks for itself and when you stay calm and clearly speak what your doing it give’s your side bonus points. If you do get loud, and shout your rights, your becomming “hostile” or “disorderly”. To the point of being convictable? No, but it then give’s more points to the police if they do take action. You being loud and beligerant isn’t a good thing, even if your right. Cause a court may not look at WHAT you are saying, but HOW you are saying it. (trying to spit this out so it’s not misinterpreted).
To the guy who’s filming, Your a Doucebag, get a fucking life. If you have nothing better to do then film cops on a nice sunny day thats really sad. You sound like a noodle.
Sheldon,
It takes a real douchebag to misspell douchebag. You sound like an ignorant moron who isn’t smart enough to see his civil rights being taken away day by day.
Take it easy *certain*, Sheldon’s clearly just kidding around, just playing the part of a badge-licking jackass. After all, the video clearly shows that it was shot in the middle of the night! ;-)
‘Sunny day’ indeed! Oh Shellie you crack me up!
Have you noticed how extremely rare it is for the government superiors of the police respond to a cop breaking the law or violating one of their own rules? The only time they respond is if there is enough public outrage and there is risk of them looking bad. Then it’s all about trying to save face while trying as best they can to keep any one of their own from actually getting in any trouble.
Pigs
PSOSGT, The correct response might be, “These cops were derelict by doing exactly what they were told not to do. They need to be punished severely and be set as examples for violating policy, law, and precedent.”
Just one time will the super-commenter cops step up and hold these people accountable, at least on an anonymous blog?
If the cameraman was right, and had the law on his side, then why did he run away??
Being right doesn’t mean that you are safe from cops. Many cops feel that they are above the law & can do as they please. For the most part, in reality that is true. As far as the courts go – - You can get all the justice you can afford – -
bunch of goons with guns.