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Texas 'Cop Watcher' bill under fire from legal experts, law enforcement groups
FoxNews.com ^ | March 25, 2015 | Fox News

Posted on 03/26/2015 5:07:37 AM PDT by Timber Rattler

A Texas lawmaker's proposal to establish a 25-foot "buffer zone" around police engaged in keeping the peace is drawing fire from both legal experts and law enforcement groups, but for different reasons.

Dallas-area House representative Jason Villalba introduced HB 2918, which would make it a misdemeanor to photograph police within 25 feet -- raising serious concerns that the bill, if passed, would violate the First Amendment and prevent individuals from holding police accountable. For Texans legally carrying a firearm, the buffer zone required would be 100 feet under Villalba's proposal.

Villalba reportedly said police approached him about creating the legislation, which would apply to everyone -- including journalists. Villalba has since said he'd revise the bill -- changing the buffer zone to 15 feet -- but legal experts as well as law enforcement groups say it is problematic.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Government; US: Texas
KEYWORDS: cops; corruption; leo; surveillance
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To: Timber Rattler

Actually, I have to think about this one a little more. Will get back to it...


21 posted on 03/26/2015 7:17:34 AM PDT by bike800
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To: Timber Rattler
It's sad that such a bill is coming out of Texas, of all places

Absolute fealty to law enforcement knows no boundaries.

22 posted on 03/26/2015 7:38:59 AM PDT by gdani (No sacred cows)
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To: Timber Rattler

25 feet is not that far away, it offers an opening for the process of chasing and arresting someone. As for not getting decent recording, as long as there is decent shouting, I can record decent quality at 30 feet on my iPod touch, or even my digital camcorder.


23 posted on 03/27/2015 6:25:44 AM PDT by Morpheus2009
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To: bike800

Exactly, I can still record at 25 U.S. feet away. A crowd too close to an arrest is stupid.


24 posted on 03/27/2015 6:27:58 AM PDT by Morpheus2009
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