October 18,2017
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Glen Rock NJ, the Glen Rock Police have issued a statement concerning video taping and photography at police incidents .
Glen Rock Police : We have heard that some people have been questioning the fact that photos of juveniles and others have been taken at police incidents in the past by members of the press or public.
The taking of photographs and/or videos by private citizens and media personnel is permitted within areas open to general public access and occupancy and is permitted under the US Constitution in the First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. (Christopher Sharp v. Baltimore City Police Department, et. al.). No citizen has the expectation of privacy when they are in public regardless of their status as a victim, juvenile or offender.
A civilian may video record or photograph a police and public safety activities as long as they:
1. Remain at a reasonable distance;
2. Do not interfere with the duties and responsibilities of police and other public safety personnel;
3. Do not create a safety concern for the officer, a person detained, a victim, other persons or themselves.
A citizen’s right to record police activity is coextensive with that of the press. There should be no burden on an individual’s right to record police activity than they place on members of the press. A citizen does not need “press credentials” to record police officers engaged in the public discharge of their duties.
FYI :
The First Amendment to the United States Constitution prevents Congress from making any law respecting an establishment of religion, prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or abridging the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, the right to peaceably assemble, or to petition for a governmental redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of
The Fourth Amendment (Amendment IV) to the United States Constitution is the part of the Bill of Rights that prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures and requires any warrant to be judicially sanctioned and supported by probable cause
The 14th amendment was adopted in 1868, after the American Civil War, and addresses the equal protection and rights of former slaves. The 14th amendment limits the action of state and local officials. In addition to equal protection under the law to all citizens, the amendment also addresses what is called “due process”, which prevents citizens from being illegally deprived of life, liberty, or property.
The Boyd Effect
Personally I like to see the news photos. I like to know what is going on in town other than bake sales and fall festivals. Some people don’t want any actual news.
Thank you for honoring the constitution
Its not if your allowed, its if you should. This is one of the main differences between the past and today. There is concept of privacy anymore.
The constitution was written to go into effect when it was ratified by 9 of the 13 states. The 9th state, New Hampshire, ratified it on June 21, 1788. It was not ratified by all 13 states until Rhode Island ratified it on May 29, 1790. It went into effect on the first Wednesday in March 1789.
Some people don’t want any bad news. Even if it is happening in their back yard or on their block. No bad news. Just home sales and pictures of flowers. Get a reality check people. News happens.
Thank you Glen Rock Chief of Police Dean Ackermann.
Take the pictures. To not do so is just another form of bubble wrapping our precious kids.
This was in part prompted by an incident in which someone taking photos of an accident in Glen Rock (involving adults only with very minor injuries) was verbally assaulted by a woman who claimed to be a relative of one of the accident’s victims. Despite being told by police officers that the person had a legal right to take photos and to leave the individual alone, she continued with her verbal tirade. She was finally ordered by a Glen Rock police sergeant off the sidewalk into a waiting ambulance with her supposed relative. Turns out the woman is a Ridgewood resident and a practicing attorney. So much that fancy law degree from Fordham. Hopefully neither she nor her parents spent their life savings on it. A big Amen to freedom of the press and to freedom of assembly.
Creepy. Still.
Cell phones use wide angle lenses. The side effect is that you end up approaching a situation closer than you would normally to make a video. Give the officers some safe space to work.
Some people use real cameras with telephone lenses and can stand far removed from the incident.
Should have written telephoto lenses.
People must take pictures and record when police and other so called public officials involved and yes general public is also fair game. People wake up we have cameras everywhere and police drones will be introduce very soon too. You are all foolish if you think you have privacy…Your own government spies on you and worry about some person taking pictures in the public