Video: NH Cop questions RidleyReport for photographing police cars

[RidleyReport]

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCTEyutQQ18

About an hour into our June 29 open carry litter pickup, one Manchester police officer stops, approaches and questions me. Here's video of our conversation. Note that I am wearing a holstered pistol from start to finish.

 

[nh92d]

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like i commented at youtube..

awesome that he didn't mention or look down at your gun while talking to you.

i'm gonna have to keep my eyes open for the next open carry event.

 

[Tomahawk]

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Camera = criminal, just like gun = criminal

If you don't want your car photographed, don't drive it in public.

 

[Jim675]

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Did anyone else get the impression that a less well informed citizen would have resulted in the officer coming on stronger and stronger? His demeanor seemed to get more "officer friendly-ish" as Dave matter of factly and confidently described the events.
That plus the absolute avoidance of discussion about OC made me picture him on the radio to his buddies first saying " oh this is bulls@#$ - now the taping me!? I'm gonna go talk to this a$$h***"

 

[NYNRA]

I believe most of us would question someone who was videotaping us in public. I dont have a problem with the officer asking about it. One day a person took a picture of my house. I followed that person and asked why they did that. It turns out it was a real estate agent working on appraisals in the neighborhood. Im glad I followed the person and asked the question. I can't fault anyone for doing the same.

 

[ixtow]

I believe most of us would question someone who was videotaping us in public. I dont have a problem with the officer asking about it. One day a person took a picture of my house. I followed that person and asked why they did that. It turns out it was a real estate agent working on appraisals in the neighborhood. Im glad I followed the person and asked the question. I can't fault anyone for doing the same.

True enough.

While it is mostly conjecture, we've all observed here, and some of us personally, that cops behave very differently when they are being recorded.

Especially when they don't know it.

 

[NewHampshireNative]

I believe most of us would question someone who was videotaping us in public. I dont have a problem with the officer asking about it. One day a person took a picture of my house. I followed that person and asked why they did that. It turns out it was a real estate agent working on appraisals in the neighborhood. Im glad I followed the person and asked the question. I can't fault anyone for doing the same.

The sad fact of the matter is in today's day and age as soon as you leave your house someone has the right to photograph and or video tape you. Big brother being the biggest stalker of all time! Some places you cant even walk down the street with out seeing "the mans" CCTV's recording you as you go about your day. But seeing as how police officers are "public servants" they have ZERO expectation of privacy the minute the uniform goes on. What gets me is they have no problem recording Citizen X openly or with hidden cameras and we just have to take it or risk a taser or night stick to the body. But the second the tables are turned and it's them on the other end of the lenses they revert to the grade school temper tantrum! Why are you filming me? I gave you no right to film me!! Officer your a public servant and I'm filming you on public property! Turn the camera off! When that fails to work because they know your right and have every right to film them. They turn into the school yard bully and try and intimidate you with do it "OR ELSE". The classic line is "leave now or I'm going to take you to jail". It's really kinda sad that most police officers chose to batter and assault their employers the tax payers!!

 

[nhoc]

Recently I've read some things which confuse this arguement a little. It was always my understanding that filming (audio / video) anyone in a public place doing a public thing (short of a place which is to expected to be private [restroom]) was perfectly within the law and my rights regardless of how the person being filmed feels about it. About a month ago a man in Portsmouth was arrested for videotapping police respond to a 4th of July party(lol, of all dates) under wiretapping laws.

To the best of my knowledge there isnt any legislation in NH that explicitly states we CAN record police but it looks like there may be unintended use of new legislation which may prohibit it without explicit concent of them.

Anyone else aware of this case (and others around the country) have some input on where filming police may stand? Sounds to me like we need some clear legislation on the subject.

-=NH/oc