coward says:

right now a camera is more dangerous than a gun to cops

Henry G says:

@ #11 I couldn’t have said it better. Yes, a more appropriate response to the request for identification may have been, “I’m not driving officer. I have ID, but I don’t believe I’m required to give it to you.” while continuing to record the incident.

Michael_gr says:

There will come a time – and it’s not that far off – when we’ll be able to easily and automatically record every second of every day of our lives. Perhaps there will be multiple tiny cameras embedded in every shirt, I don’t know. But it’s definitely going to happen soon, and the cops – all of us, in fact – better get used to being recorded in every encounter they have with citizens.

bobbo, only the mentally enslaved protect their oppressors says:

#20–bmore==is it you or that other guy that I’m always disagreeing with? Anyway, given the number of igits posting here, its good to have your agreement. A calm island of reason in this sea of mindlessness submission to an authoritarian State. Kafkaesque!!

#24–fargonaz==even your made up BS is too stupid to respond to. Respond to anything actually said or implied, and I’ll get back to you.

Awake says:

#28 PaulG -

Jews being marched off into the showers also respected “authority”.

Sounds like you would happily be one of those directing the marching.

Why do you hate freedom so much? Are you a member of the Taliban?

TThor says:

I hate cops that abuse and intimidate. That said, the camera crew here were assholes as well. I sat back with a feeling they were out there just to provoke. That is not not necessary, unless the abuse is systemic and you’d like to uncover it for the world. You catch an officer abusing power. Fine! Great! I commend you! Nail him.
But don’t put a camera in the face of a guy that has pulled 12 hours or more, tryin g to get a mess organized. Trust me, even a peaceful man as I could be tempted to smack a punk in the teeth, pointing a camera in my face and giving smart comments while I try my best to get things sorted.
I am all for citizens agains power abuse etc. and evidence gathering But don’t provoke an irrational reaction OK? That is not fair to the subject and it falls flat with the public. Negative result.

Sagrilarus says:

How’s about someone follow you guys around with a camera recording your every move?

These guys aren’t about liberty, they’re about celebrity. “I don’t want to file a complaint, I want to post on YouTube.” Now THAT is dedication to the cause of freedom.

I’d say that these guys got exactly what they were looking for, but they didn’t. The officer backed off. They left empty handed.

S.

meirvin says:

Come on John you can do better than this that camera guy was an Idiot, there are photojournalists out there getting real harrassment that need your help not this parking lot shooter

green says:

The filmer should have had a permit to film on private property. dems the rules.

That aside… Things like this happen all the time. Stressed out people snapping at the smallest things. It takes a grown up to man up, reevaluate, and apologize.

This one isn’t less about power tripping cop vs hippie. It’s life.

bmorebadboy says:

@TThor, #31 – Where in the law is it stated being an a-hole is illegal? When you sign up for the job of being a police man, it is with the understanding that you will be dealing with criminals and other unsavory characters. BUT, under the intent of the law, all men are innocent until proven guilty. That should apply to cops also. They should treat everyone as innocent until they show without the shadow of a doubt that they may be guilty of a crime. Not the other way around, as this video clearly demonstrates.

Of course the abuse is systemic. Have you not been following the news? Did you not read about the guy with cuffs on who was subdued by four other officers who was shot in the back? Did you not read about the guy who got maced and beat down in front of a night club for being at the wrong place at the wrong time? Or the guy whose house was raided because he posted a video of a police interaction not much unlike this one on youtube? Are you really living under a rock that huge? Or are you just blindly leading your life without a care in the world…until something like this pops YOU right in the mouth?

And yes, we are all humans and capable of losing our cool. I get that. Unfortunately, cops get away with it. The system is poorly designed. Cops are not held culpable for their actions. Without cold, hard video evidence, who do you think a judge or jury is going to believe in a court of law? That’s the difference between you losing your cool and popping someone in the mouth and a cop doing the same.

@Sagrilarus, #33 – If I’m a public official working in public in a public capacity on public property, then yes, follow me around and film me. Shoot, even if I’m a private person going along minding my own business I can’t stop someone from filming me in public, of course, I think you have to sign a waiver first before they can sell it or something…. So what’s your point? If my taxes are paying your salary, I have every right to film the job you’re doing, and expose the results to your other bosses.

And the reason he said he’d rather post it on youtube is because filing a complaint with IA is about as useful as a hole in the head. Do you honestly expect the cops to investigate themselves? You truly are gullible.

@The Aberrant, #34 – You’re absolutely right. But this is how the ignorant masses are manipulated. Giving up your 1rst amendment right in order to drive is f*cking bullsh!t. Just another way the government incrementally takes away your rights until you become their absolute slave.

@bobbo – Yes I’m the one you’re always disagreeing with. As long as you’re arguing the side of liberty, I have no problem with your views.