Arrogance of Power

          Anthony Graber broke the law.  In April of this year he zoomed down Interstate 95 in Maryland at 80 mph, weaving across lanes.  The police stopped him.   Later, his house was searched and his computers seized.  The felony that may land him in prison for the next 16 years is not reckless driving.  He has been charged with filming the police officer that stopped him.  It doesn’t happen often, but I agree with the ACLU.

          In February 2009, Sharron Ford was called to a movie to after her son was detained because he was who was suspected of trespassing.  When she arrived, Ford informed the police she would be filming the meeting.  As told by Ford and the ACLU, the police informed her that it was, “illegal to tape interactions with police officers, and then threatened Ford's son telling him that he wouldn't be able to go home and would be arrested because of his mother's actions. When Ford refused to stop videotaping, both her and her son were arrested and taken to the police station.”

          I don’t know why the police were so adamant with Ford that they not be filmed.  However, she wants answers and, with the help of the ACLU, has filed suit against the City of Boynton Beach.

          In the Graber case the officer might be camera shy because he cuts off the cyclist in an unmarked car with no lights, then in plan clothes jumps out brandishing a gun like a common criminal.  Only after ordering Graber off of his bike three times does he finally identify himself as an officer.  Watch both of the embedded videos. 

          Police officers regularly film citizens when they stop them on the street.  Why should citizens be prohibited from filming the officer?  The presumption of power that says, “I can film you, but if you film me it is a crime,” is more in keeping with the old Soviet Union where the citizens were subjects and the police were agents of the ruling class.  But this is not a dictatorship and there should be no ruling class, this is American, the land of the free.  We the people formed the federal, state and local governments and we granted them only certain powers.  I don’t remember delegating the power to film on a public street only to the police.  

          If Sharron Ford and the ACLU lose this case, corrupt police officers will cover up their crimes by waving guns and threatening arrest.  Shining the light of public scrutiny is the best tool citizens have against police corruption and for the protection of liberty and democracy.  

          This egregious abuse of power by arrogant police and prosecutors must be stopped.  In Washington State sheriffs and prosecutors are elected.  In cities, such as Seattle and Tacoma, the police work for the Mayor.  If a citizen of Washington State films a police officer on the street and is then arrested we must impeach the responsible elected official. 

          In the case of Ford v. City of Boynton Beach, I support the ACLU.