the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, just a reminder there should be no expectation of privacy in the public domain, and the rules are for everyone ,”VIP’s ” and all ,so let all try this holiday season to slow down , stop texting , call an Uber , say hello to our neighbors ,look both ways before we cross and of course treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves .
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.
As for picture taking ,best to focus on the many stalkers and creepers that inhabit the cyberspace and perhaps your bushes in the Village of Ridgewood . Getting your photo snapped at and event is far better and less intrusive than the few freaks that and prey on Village residents in pursuit of political and personal agendas .