58 ms·

This law is going to be abused. We've seen officers trying to use intellectual property to avoid being recorded [1], turn off bodycams [2], or just straight up

This law is going to be abused. We've seen officers trying to use intellectual property to avoid being recorded [1], turn off bodycams [2], or just straight up pepper spraying folks that pull out a cell phone [3]. Recordings cause problems for officers, so if the state gives them an way to prevent it they will use that. This particular law [4] could be abused in several ways. 1. 8ft is from where "law enforcement activity is occurring". Officers will act assuming that this covers large areas, not just 8ft from the officer themself. Only later will courts get a chance to push back against this. 2. Nothing prevents a police officer walking closer to the person who is recording, pushing away the recording (or forcing them to stop as its now within 8ft. 3. The law says recording is illegal if interfering with the police or unsafe. Again, police will apply this to very wide circumstances. [1] https://www.techdirt.com/2022/04/18/cops-are-still-playing-copyrighted-music-to-thwart-citizens-recording-their-actions/ https://www.techdirt.com/2022/04/18/cops-are-still-playing-c... [2] https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/officers-across-minnesota-allowed-to-turn-off-body-cameras-in-middle-of-investigations/ https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/officers-across-minnesot... [3] https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article251249349.html https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article251249... [4] https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/2R/laws/0376.htm https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/55leg/2R/laws/0376.htm

tsomctl 4y ago
Your examples aren't of this law being abused. This is the whole point of it. The writers know exactly what's going to happen.
- nimbius 4y ago
  the whole bill is wishful thinking. personal drones routinely show up at protests nowadays. it honestly also seems like these writers have never picked up a nice smartphone; most have enough 4k zoom to film a nature documentary. even the zoom on a knockoff go pro is shockingly good. its a feather in the ragged cap of tough on crime legislation at best.
  - feet 4y ago
    Cool so you can zoom in on your 4k video as the cop approaches you to take your phone
bitcharmer 4y ago
Always found it amusing that this is a real problem only in the land of the free. There may be a big cultural difference at play here. Even before this law there were plenty of instances where a bystander recording police activity from a safe distance was approached, bullied and sometimes even arrested; with - of course - no later repercussions for the officers. I feel like changing US policing culture would do much more than introducing or relaxing laws that the policemen will ignore and violate anyway.
mythrwy 4y ago
I happen to think there are likely practical reasons for the law as I've seen videos where filmers were certainly interfering with police work and endangering everybody. That being said, I agree 100%. The police will abuse this badly with intent to discourage filming police interactions. Which I also agree should be filmed as much as possible.
- aaomidi 4y ago
  We already have laws for that. You can arrest them.

tsomctl 4y ago

Your examples aren't of this law being abused. This is the whole point of it. The writers know exactly what's going to happen.

nimbius 4y ago
the whole bill is wishful thinking. personal drones routinely show up at protests nowadays. it honestly also seems like these writers have never picked up a nice smartphone; most have enough 4k zoom to film a nature documentary. even the zoom on a knockoff go pro is shockingly good. its a feather in the ragged cap of tough on crime legislation at best.
- feet 4y ago
  Cool so you can zoom in on your 4k video as the cop approaches you to take your phone

bitcharmer 4y ago

Always found it amusing that this is a real problem only in the land of the free. There may be a big cultural difference at play here. Even before this law there were plenty of instances where a bystander recording police activity from a safe distance was approached, bullied and sometimes even arrested; with - of course - no later repercussions for the officers. I feel like changing US policing culture would do much more than introducing or relaxing laws that the policemen will ignore and violate anyway.

mythrwy 4y ago

I happen to think there are likely practical reasons for the law as I've seen videos where filmers were certainly interfering with police work and endangering everybody. That being said, I agree 100%. The police will abuse this badly with intent to discourage filming police interactions. Which I also agree should be filmed as much as possible.

aaomidi 4y ago
We already have laws for that. You can arrest them.