Judge Restricts New York Police Surveillance

Discover the Networks ^ | Feb. 16th, 2007 | Jim Dwyer

[Rodney Kings Brain]

Judge Restricts New York Police Surveillance By JIM DWYER In a rebuke of a surveillance practice greatly expanded by the New York Police Department after the Sept. 11 attacks, a federal judge ruled today that the police must stop the routine videotaping of people at public gatherings unless there was an indication that unlawful activity may occur.

Nearly four years ago, at the request of New York City, the same judge, Charles S. Haight Jr., had given the police greater authority to investigate political, social and religious groups.

In today’s ruling, however, Judge Haight of Federal District Court in Manhattan found that by videotaping people who were exercising their right to free speech and breaking no laws, the Police Department had ignored the milder limits he had imposed on it in 2003.

Citing two events in 2005 — a march in Harlem and a demonstration by homeless people in front of the Upper East Side home of Mayor Michael Bloomberg — the judge said the city offered scant justification for videotaping the people involved.

[CyberAnt]

Perfect!! Good luck NY!!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Cops can't tape people, but people can tape them.

[Gay State Conservative]

One could argue that taping homeless demonstrators might not be vital to law and order (or,more importantly,homeland security) but if the demonstrators in Harlem were followers of the Religion of Pieces and were chanting "death to America" (as has happened recently in London) then taping them is not only reasonable but essential.

[freedomfiter2]

Another idiot judge. Who appointed this guy?

[JimRed]

...police must stop the routine videotaping of people at public gatherings...

Volunteers needed to privately tape haters of America gatherings, so that when crime results they can provide documentation to law enforcement.

[drpix]

So the Courts have decided that the unelected Media should have more power than police agencies controlled through officials elected by the people. Another advance in the MEDIA-JUDICIAL COMPLEX's take over of our democracy. All in the name of the Constitution.

[Doctor Raoul]

There are at least two "anti war" activists convicted of arson at recruiting stations. Three weeks ago, they vandalized the Capitol steps, a recruiting station at 14th and L and a Fox News truck, in addition to harassing a FOX camera crew.

I'm OK with no more video as long as the police can preemptively TASER these bastards.

[Doctor Raoul]

Volunteers needed to privately tape haters of America gatherings, so that when crime results they can provide documentation to law enforcement.

The National Lawyers Guild (Commie Lawyers group) sends "legal observers" to these marches. Your idea is a good one. Call it "Commie Watch" or "Peace Riot Prevention".

[andy58-in-nh]

 Haight, Charles Sherman Jr.

 Born 1930 in New York, NY

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U. S. District Court, Southern District of New York
Nominated by Gerald Ford on March 2, 1976, to a seat vacated by Murray I. Gurfein; Confirmed by the Senate on March 26, 1976, and received commission on March 29, 1976. Assumed senior status on September 23, 1995.

Education:
Yale University, B.A., 1952

Yale Law School, LL.B., 1955

Professional Career:
Trial attorney, Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice, 1955-1957
Private practice, New York City, 1957-1976

Race or Ethnicity: White

Gender: Male

[drpix]

Nominated by Ford is no surprise. Ford's selection of Rockefeller as VEEP demonstrated his liberal leanings. Nixon only selected Ford, after Agnew's resignation, because he couldn't get any one else past a hostile liberal Congress.

[andy58-in-nh]

Yep. Having lived through that time, I wouldn't hold it against Ford. After the elections in '74, Congress was utterly dominated by Democrats, who were feeling their oats after having forced Nixon from office. Then they voted to cut off funding for Vietnam, and... gee, why does this sound vaguely familiar?

[webstersII]

Am I the only one that gets the point?

Can you guys not see that the power for authorities to tape people and harass them works not only against the bad guys but against everyone?

Imagine Hillary with the power to do this at churches, synagogues, Minutemen rallies, Free Republic protests, etc. They film people looking for some reason to shut them down and charge people with any crime they can use to intimidate. Look at the abuses of the IRS by the Clintons.

Dash cams in cop cars are not the same thing, BTW. In that situation the officer is involved in a potential criminal or civil incident, not standing off to the side observing and looking for something wrong.

The way it should work is that the police can't tape people but can use tapes made by citizens. This seems obvious to me.

[webstersII]

"Volunteers needed to privately tape haters of America gatherings, so that when crime results they can provide documentation to law enforcement."

That is a better option.

[freedomfiter2]

thanks

[Chode]

but they can't stop US from filming and then giving the take to the PD...

[Rodney Kings Brain]

"The way it should work is that the police can't tape people but can use tapes made by citizens."

I agree - why don't more of us do this? You are correct, a tape freely given to the police by an individual is admissible in court, etc. I must confess, I had never really considered doing this but the next time there is some gathering of lunatics in my community I might give it a go.

[drpix]

"Can you guys not see that the power for authorities to tape people and harass them works not only against the bad guys but against everyone?"

It is about who can videotape "at public gatherings." The way I see it is a Media overwhelmingly dominated by leftist can still do it as they please, but now OUR Police can only do it with the approval of a Judicial System also overwhelmingly dominated by leftist. And how can I see this clear (but only most recent) victory for the MEDIA-JUDICIAL COMPLEX as a good thing?

[webstersII]

"OUR Police"

Think long-term instead of short-term.

Just because you think they are "Our Police" means they may not be in the future. Think about if someone like Hillary has the power to tape this type of stuff and use it to intimidate people.

"a Media overwhelmingly dominated by leftist can still do it as they please"

Sure, and so can anyone else these days. It's not just about left-wing dominance of the media anymore. The pajama media brought down Dan Blather, for example.

[SeaBiscuit]

Ford.