A U.S. Congressman has introduced a resolution that would protect citizens who videotape cops in public from getting arrested on state wiretapping charges.
Edolphus Towns, a Democrat from New York, introduced the resolution on Thursday, the same day USA Today wrote a scathing editorial denouncing these types of arrests.
Edolphus “Ed” TownsThese types of arrests have become an epidemic throughout the country as more people are carrying some type of video-recording device on them at all times
But the case that has gained the most national attention has been the arrest of Anthony Graber, a National Guardsman who is facing 16 years in prison because he uploaded a video of a Maryland State Trooper pulling a gun on him during a traffic stop.
Ten days later, Uhler discovered that Graber posted the video online. Two videos. A longer one without audio and a shorter one with audio.
That prompted Uhler to issue an arrest warrant against Graber, citing that “Graber did not inform Tfc. Uhler that he was recording him by video or audio, thus violating criminal law 10-402(b).”
He also tacked on the charges of “reckless driving” and “negligent driving” to the arrest warrant.
And then six cops raided his parent’s home where Graber is living early one morning.
These psycho Maryland cops and DA’s seem to be a perpetual problem.
Obviously, the motorcycle rider should have worn a shirt declaring (on front and back) “video/audio recording in progress”. sarcasm
Which gives me a great idea for what to sell at Maryland flea markets.
Please start calling them by a more accurate title: GE·STA·PO_lice
Etymology: German, from Geheime Staatspolizei,
literally, secret state police
Date: 1934
: a secret-police organization employing underhanded and terrorist methods against persons suspected of disloyalty
I gotta admit I generally hate cops although a fair percentage are probably decent. The whole cop thing draws in the worst applicants with some power craving disorder which is no surprise.
Dallas – true enough “but” the issue here isn’t the cops. They are but tools of the system. The system here being the DA’s but really the judges probably all being influenced by the general political system of not wanting the public to know too much which leads to lawsuits and public embarassments.
Its the very fact that cops are power hungry dumbshits that make them just a tool. They are the initial point of impact, but they are not the source/momentum of the thrust.
You want know how to find the most corrupt states? Any state that does what Maryland does has a reason.
The most amazing thing about this story is that a congress critter is actually doing something for his constituents. When is the last time that happened?
THE COP SHOULD SHOW HIS BADGE NOT HIS GUN. The fact that the cop was in an unmarked car makes it dangerous – what if the other guy pulls out a gun – then there is a shoot-out. Are all cops this dumb. There should be somthing done about the law – Everyone should write their congressman.
#7 “Concealed carry holders are more law abiding than any demographic you can name”
The newlyborn?
Does anyone know the complete circumstances of the traffic stop? It appears to be a parked cruiser behind the motorcycle. Knee jerk reaction from either side often bypasses the facts.
The point I take is the video. That is a job for the states legislators to review. If it’s on the books, the DA can use it. 90+% of the citizens don’t give a shit about this. That’s the sad part, but it’s always been that way.
As long as everyone recognizes that sometimes video can show a biased or incomplete record of an event, they should be allowed. The police fear that videos will not show the behavior that led to their use of force, thereby making the police seem more aggressive than the situation on the video would seem to dictate.
Police work is tough since officers are constantly exposed to the worst elements of society. Just as in some other occupations, the potential for serious errors that cause injury and death is always present. Videos of police conduct taken by ordinary citizens can actually assist police in their training by allowing them to recognize what methods and procedures need improvement. Videos can also help to weed out the bad apples so that the majority of police can perform their duties with the cooperation, rather than the resentment of the public.
Taunting and provoking police officers may seem like entertainment to some people and most police officers don’t respond to it. Making videos of police performing their duty should not be viewed by them as being taunted or provoked.
#27 True. If you look at the Officer’s Belt, to his Right side, His Badge is Clearly Visible. He Identified himself as a State Police Officer as well. I Notice the officer showed patience as the “Offender” tried to back the motorcycle up as the officer told him Many times “get off the Motorcycle” as far as the Officer “Pulling a gun on this person” that is incorrect. He had it ready, but no time is it pointed at him, at least in this video. Who knows why he was stopped in the first place? Circumstances would help here.
# 30 Well Said..Well Said
# 14 DrPiper said, on July 17th, 2010 at 3:33 pm
“This whole case stinks from top to bottom.
Maryland State Troopers are insane anyway. They actually walk out into the fast lane of 495/95 (the capital beltway) to stop speeding vehicles. A lane that regularly travels at 75-80 mph. I have been there when they do that and it causes the stomping of brakes, the swerving of vehicles and near collisions almost every time.”
I used to live in Alexandria, VA and they are no better there. Maybe worse. In DFW, a few are bad, but for the most part they do a pretty good job and follow the rules. Strange, yes? You’d think in Texas it would be crazy, too, but it’s not. I’ve always been treated courteously and almost always just given a warning.
Of course, a really good story always helps. I told one State Trooper on I-20 he might as well write the ticket up for 100 mph ’cause if my boss thought I was loafing I’d get fired. He laughed hard and just let me go.
#7 1860 Navy “Concealed carry holders are more law abiding than any demographic you can name. Dope.”
Well said.
CALLING ALL GUN NUTS:
got any source for concealed holders being the most law abiding? No links will be conclusive you idiots continue to just make shit up. I googled and got as far as such info is not available:
“http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-463630.html
Bobbo, I carry a gun every chance I get (work won’t even allow me to have it in my vehicle) and put it on as soon as I get home.
I have been threatened in my own driveway while mowing and until last week figured I would never have to pull it. I was wrong. At 4:30AM someone was walking around our property and our neighbors and their dogs lit him up. He was looking for gas as he ran out and pulled into our driveway. He stopped moving and looking as soon as I stepped around the corner with my Glock in my hand similar to the cop in the video.
Being the nice guy I am I challenged him, got the story AND gave him two gallons of gas to get him home.
There have been no “blood in the streets” since my state became a CCH/CCW shall issue state and all you have to do is look at the stats.
Do I want to shoot someone? No, and I think about it every time I put the gun on. On the other side, I don’t want to see a loved one or myself shot, maimed, raped or even killed either.
Mr Diesel
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.
The undercover cop is lucky he wasn’t shot. When seeing a guy get out of a unmarked car while wearing no identifiable uniform and pulling a gun seems more like a road rage incident than a cop making an arrest. He should have pulled his badge first if he was interested in self preservation.
I would absolutely love to own a gun. But seriously, guns should NOT be in the hands of people that go bat crazy like me. So no guns for little old me, unless y’all really want me to own one. Do you?
You just can’t trust any policeman pig (OK maybe just in New Orleans). These losers shot and killed two (some shot in the back), shot 4 others, and the civilians were unarmed. These losers then planted guns and covered up their mistakes with lies and intimidations. This year Five police officers already have pleaded guilty to lying and covering up. The Bush Administration did nothing. Lets hope all of these pigs get whats coming to them.
http://nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2010/07/prosecutors_will_seek_detentio.html
Diesel–thats great and I do believe you. Now, can you answer the question?
If I was Anthony Graber I’d have one of my friends video tape shooting Tfc. Uhler in the head then have it uploaded to utube