Reply #269: Thanks for the welcome! :)

[gvstn]

I want to add to this thread to remind people that although photography is not a crime, arresting someone for photographing when you know it is not a crime should be criminal. It is abuse of power, intimidation and harassment.

It is a crime just the same as someone walking up and strong-arm robbing the man of his camera. It disturbs the peace and should be prosecuted not just nullified in court (after much inconvenience and expense to the innocent citizen).

Taking a picture of a cop on duty may not seem like something to make a fuss over but as your father used to say, "It is the principle of the thing". It is worth the fight. Police are supposed to be professionals and enforce the law and protect the peace not detain citizens for doing things for which they don't personally appreciate the value.

If I were to walk around in a public place in my flannel pajamas it might seem strange. An officer could inquire about my well being because it disturbed other people's sensibilities. However, he does not have a right to tell me to dress "normally" because others don't like my attire or arrest me because I refuse.

A good cop responding to a complaint would ascertain that I am mentally competent and recognize that he cannot control my attire and go on about his day. A bad cop would harass or intimidate or arrest me if I did not go home and change. Until the police recognize that they do not have some special power to bend people's wills to their liking it is critical to point out their abuses. However small they may be.