Let me open with this disclaimer: I believe in our rights as citizens of the United States of America. I do believe you should be allowed to video police and public servants as long as it does not interfere with whatever they are trying to do. I have nothing against these rights, nor do I want them removed.
Now, on to what grinds my gears.
Seriously? I really don't want to discuss this subject. But my brain is moving and a million miles a minute and I really wish I could be next to someone who records the police.
First off, if you want to record the police. Please, be my guest. I applaud you for putting your rights to good use.
However, for those of you who record the police just to "catch them in the act", WTF is wrong with you? I mean c'mon, they have a job to do. Don't be the ding-dong recording the video going "Don't Shoot! He's unarmed!" or "Why are you doing this? This is police brutality, I have you on camera".
Stand there and SHUDDUP and stay out of the way! The police officers do not need 30 hecklers, recording them, getting in the way, yelling at them that they are not doing their jobs right. Plus, you are just fueling the person they may be trying to arrest or interrogate to react negatively to the police which could end in them being arrested, hurt or even worse. They could become a threat to others or the officers themselves and wound up getting themselves shot!
Don't mouth off to the officers, be nice and cordial with them. If the laws where you live will allow you to not give them information due to whatever circumstance, feel free to deny them that information. As always, be respectful and follow the laws! Use your rights, just be smart about it. Don't be a idiot.
When you post the video, don't put that they are harassing a person or arresting them for being a certain race or whatever. Account exactly what you saw. There may have been more happening before you showed up to film them and it helps no one to assume anything.
-Fin-
