News Cameraman Arrested For Filming Police Chase

The Blaze ^ | Aug 1, 2011

[WaterBoard]

The cameraman, Phil Datz, was standing on the sidewalk of Sycamore Avenue in Bohemia, video taping the end of a police chase, when a Fifth Precinct police officer told him to “just go away.”

Mr. Datz called Suffolk County Police Public Information Officer to get permission which was granted, Mr Datz was still arrested while filming from one block away on a public street while cars used the same road without restriction.

Suffolk County police confirmed that Datz was arrested and said he was charged with obstruction of governmental administration. He was taken to the Fifth Precinct stationhouse in Patchogue where he was fingerprinted and had a mugshot taken. He was later released.

“We are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the arrest” of Datz, a police spokesman said.

Video of Incident: Link

[Vendome]

Cop is a power hungry ass wipe.

Dude wasn’t interfering with anything and I’ll bet if his footage had something of value on it they would damn happy for his participation in their investigation.

[Little Ray]

Problem is that first step, when the cop demands the citizen stop filming. He’s made a classic mistake - giving an order that won’t be obeyed (and on that the citizen is really under no obligation to obey).

Unfortunately, cops have an issue - their authority has to be upheld in public, all of the time. He can’t let anyone think that some punk can make him back down. If he does, his authority is compromised and he might have to fight every time he gives an order.

Stupid cops shouldn’t give the order to stop taping in the first place. They don’t have any right to privacy during the performance of their duty. NOT trying to order law-abiding citizens around will prevent the issue of compromised authority.

[DesertRhino]

Laz,, as usual, you nailed it

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

:: I have the feeling that the charges will be dropped ::

I believe they will be but, they got what they were looking for...

he was fingerprinted and had a mugshot taken

[MindBender26]

As a newsperson, you have no extra rights or privileges, beyond those of a citizen.... but you do have every right of a citizen.

The photog was in a public place. He was not obstructing traffic, creating a disturbance, etc. The action he was photographing was happening in a public place as well. Others standing where he was were not told to leave. His camera was seeing and recording things that any citizen could see from where he was standing.

He should immediately bring a large civil suit for violation of civil rights, false arrest, false imprisonment, etc.

SCPD will settle for somewhere between $20,000 and $75,000 to avoid having to have this “tried” in Newsday.

[Norm Lenhart]

Que Alice Cooper music

Prettiest Cop On The Block

I’m 6 foot 3 with a fist like a hammer
And I work with the Vice Squad when I can
And when I pull out my badge they forget all my glamor
Little guys all surprised
Take a seat
Peek at me
It’s a bust
I’m a man

I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I set your souls on fire
Yes, I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I’m cool and I’m so mean
Oh, I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I’ve handcuffed your desire
I’ve got a stiff reputation with a stick like a rock
My kids are confused and my wife is in shock

I’m a full blooded man not a weak immitation
I like to flex my arms in the neon lights
I’m a queen on the street and a king at the station
It’s a secret of mine, not a sign I’m gonna make that right
Because..

I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I set your souls on fire
Yes, I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I’m cool and I’m so mean
Oh, I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I’ve handcuffed your desire
I’ve got a stiff reputation with a stick like a rock
My kids are confused and my wife is in shock

I must look pretty shocking
In my bullet proof vest
With my black lace stockings
All this hair on my chest
When the boys see me coming
All the boys start to run
They all got their empty holsters
And I got the only gun
Because..

Because, I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I set your souls on fire
Yes, I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I’m cool and I’m so mean
Yes, I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I handcuff your desires
I got a stiff reputation with a stick like a rock
My kids are confused and my wife is in shock

I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I set your souls on fire
Yes, I’m the prettiest cop on the block
And I’m cool — so mean
I’m the prettiest cop on the block
I handcuff your desires

I’m so pretty, I’m so pretty, so pretty
Yes I’m gorgeous
I’m really lovely
And I’m so mean, so mean

I’m oooo I’m mean
But I’m pretty
And I’m mean
Sooo Pretty
But I’m mean
And I’m pretty...

[geezerwheezer]

I’m a huge supporter of LEOs, but in this case, the cop should be put on a desk, or fired. No way should he be allowed on the streets with his attitude and apptitude towards the public. Clowns like him give all a black eye.

[Lurker]

18USC242. Learn it. Live it. Love it.

[TheOldLady]

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[count-your-change]

The Internet revolutionized how information is spread, and coupled with cheap and easy to use video equipment a second revolution is occurring wherein everyone sees everything that takes place in public and passes judgment on it.

The citizenry does not yet understand the power they have in their hands in the form of a camera.
What if there was a hundred people filming Officer “I yam da law!”? Would he arrest all of them or try to tell all of them to stop filming?

[MinuteGal]

Oh, my, what would Fox News helicopter cameramen and ole Shep Smith do without their staple car chases?

Leni

[Voter62vb]

Compare and contrast this with Munipalities installing comas on intersections to make money from people with registered plates.

[Voter62vb]

woops. CAMERAS.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Would he arrest all of them or try to tell all of them to stop filming?

Quite possibly he would open fire because he was being assaulted with a deadly camera.

It'll happen.

[GOPJ]

It’s a free country - or used to be. In Russia, China, and North Korea there were always places that couldn’t be photographed. Earmarks of a totalitarian state?

http://www.alt-market.com/articles/198-the-essential-rules-of-tyranny

[EdReform]

Thanks for posting the link. I just ordered one.

[count-your-change]

I take you meant UNregistered plates. Government, at all levels, knows the power of films (as politicians like Gary Hart learned the hard way).
The films of war were not for entertainment and using cameras as a weapon of propaganda is the heart and soul of modern day advertising.

What the cop in video clip seems not to understand is that a camera could also serve as a protection for him if he's in the right. Suppose this cop was accused of some wrong doing without cause? The film could be an unbiased witness.

[ColdSteelTalon]

These laws need to be repealed. Freedom of the press baby freedom of the press...

[count-your-change]

Carrying a gun doesn’t require an AK 47 and carrying a camera doesn’t mean a Sony the size of a bread box.

Having the cop shoot the cameraman would really be a news scoop!

[Ken H]

Prettiest Cop On The Block

Must be a rouge cop.