NH: Armed civilians crowd state house "right to record" hear

[junekentucky]

That cop in the beginning is giving the impression that people will get the courage to come up to cops to report a crime and don't want to be recorded.

Really, how many times has that ever happened?

If someone's scared, they will call in an anonymous tip, not approach a uniformed officer where they could be seen by the person they are reporting. Seriously, who does that cop think he's fooling?

[TheBlackOnWhiteCrime]

What's the problem? He has the right to protect himself.

[supercrazydave]

its good law, not bad.

[clarke9mm]

The woman (who wants the health care) know less than my 14 year old. She is completely ignorant and uneducated.

The public servant (the nasal toned bitch)... needs to be removed from office. What a complete waste of NH tax dollars.

Liberals are disgusting and intellectually soft.

[punkeratheart]

Just HAVING confidential informants is a violation of a defendant's right to discovery, because knowing the source of the state's evidence and it's credibility (or lack of) is just as important to fairness in defense of the accused as viewing the evidence itself. If a confidential informant has a history of making false reports to the cops in exchange for drugs from the evidence locker, and he is the one who gives the report that gets me busted for selling guns, I have the right to know.

[jmf202008]

This is one of the most honest cops in the town of pittsfield! I back him 100%

[bossman12334]

that guy in the beginning that writing on a paper and the guy in the white shirt that talks that are armed are they cops? is this in a court house?

[TIP01906]

@bossman12334 This is the NH State House and this is a right to carry state. those are civilins with weapons in the State House. We got it that way by bouncing the state reps who opposed it...

[Malbrojia]

@bossman12334 Armed citizens... welcome to America. Where are you from Bossman, California? :)

[NoLongerFooled]

Boo hoo hoo hoo. Cry me a river, you GOON in a state-issued suit.

[1angrywhite]

This is the Govt. against the people. The State and Federal Govt. no longer consider freedoms and how they are affected when passing or defeating bills. They only want control. We have lost our individual sovereignty. I see in the video the right to bear arms yet the right to protect oneself from bad cops, misinformation by an officer, brutality, and verbal abuse was apparently unnecessary.

[coreynbree]

dont wont it heard dont say it in public.. so surveillance is fine for us but not for them

[TheQuietPiano]

Of course Law Enforcement do not wish to be recorded...then they can say what ever they wish concerning what "you" said...this is simply an outrageous move on the polices' side. A good quality video with quality audio will save your butt in court..They can record US but we can not record them? Pretty weak argument for the cops...they are just trying to cover their own butts so when they do screw up you will have no evidence against them. We should trust these guys with our freedoms?I think not!

[GeneralJonesIII]

I am an officer in Minnesota and for the most part we welcome people recording us with audio and video. If the officer and department is professional as officers it doesnt matter if anyone is recording our activities or not. At very least in my mind. I personally have been on a traffic stop and had someone come out of thier home and videotape me, I ignore them. There are times when they enter the roadway or cause a concern but then its safety not the taping that is my concern.

[harleykman]

If they won't let you videotape,

then pull-out a paper and pen, and start recording everything they say.  It's old-fashioned but it's protected by the first amendment (freedom of press).

[RainbowDefender]

Nothing a cop does is uniform is privet! Nothing! If you have a confident meeting the only ones there will be part of the meeting! Get real. Tell the truth you are out right scared that you dont know how to do your job right! I record cops and show them the cam they start acting like real law enforcement agents! Cops always call people to the side to speak in privet if that is recorded and then something goes real bad than the cop did not do his job right!

[GeneralJonesIII]

Exactly, I am an officer in Minnesota and I have no problem with people recording me or my activities either audio or video recordings. I welcome a record of the activities. If you are professional and ethical you shouldnt have a problem. There have been times when Ive asked people to move while taping but that is due to the fact they stepped into the roadway or were physically in my way, safety was my concern not them taping.

[sk8well37]

our camera's are our weapons.

somebody's got to keep an eye on "big brother".

[infinityshock]

stupid pig. check the federal laws and get a clue.  no one has any expectation of privacy in a public place.

[yay78900]

It is up to us to keep our freedom and our constitutional rights. peace.

[yay78900]

FASCISM: system of government marked by centralization of authority under a dictator, stringent socioeconomic controls, suppression of the opposition through TERROR and CENSORSHIP, and typically a policy of belligerent nationalism and racism.

[boltville]

Bill of Rights

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Amendment II

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

[rw5791]

the king riots prompted me to get a glock.Seeing what the mobs did to that truck driver I realized that I'm on my own,the cops won't be there.

[verdemanthe1]

Duh

[godbluffvdgg]

We don't often hear about NH unless it is election time. I have been doing some research lately and I find that NH is one of the last true free states and I have developed a great respect for its citizens. I may start to look for residence up there

[Anothercoilgun]

Good the people won this one.

[Anothercoilgun]

Random check points just sprung up here in southern California today.

[boat6868]

Cops should have no problem with being taped at any time. They should conduct themselves in a way at all times that they would be comfortable anyone hearing.

[diggingforgold]

Pittsfield cop is fine with video taping and audio taping citizens with dashcams, but when the cameras are pointed at him, he's not all that comfortable. Then he goes on to say it will harm citizens. BS.

Why is he suggesting that cops are meeting people and discussing confidential information IN THE PUBLIC? There is no privacy where there is no reasonable expectation of such. The same thing that applies to us applies to them. It's a very simple concept.

[pettit987]

I bet all of these people wear the guns so they can feel big and powerful

[badkarma52]

bet it makes you feel good to think that

[mAssBackwards]

The word you're looking for is "free". You're welcome.

[otmshankshank]

you mean like cops?

[ThndersRage]

No one is incorruptible, not even cops. It only makes sense to have the ability to Audio/Video record people with such powers in public.

[EVLPropaganda]

I actually agree with the officer somewhat. If i was a police officer, i wouldn't want a camera in my face while on the job. Nobody wants that in their line of work. Don't be like a bunch of lil' kids and video tape things just because you can because i know Ridley report are grown men. Don't abuse your rights, just like we don't want the pigs abusing theirs. Some cops are assholes because they can be, but some are also good honest hard working people. Grow up a little bit is all that i'msaying

[AaronAlso]

If you are a public servant conducting business in public citizens should have the right to document your actions, respectfully. I don't agree with getting in anyone's way while they are on the job, but it only seems fair that if cop can record me while on a traffic stop I should be able to record him.

As for "sensitive" matters the officers should be handling those behind closed doors not in public where anyone in ear shot with a good memory can report what they heard.

[AaronAlso]

This isn't about abusing rights or being childish it's about accountability. Cops can't be trusted, they are a brotherhood of organized criminals. It is their duty to lie, cheat, & steal when/if ever it supports the state's case. If we as citizens don't insist on holding them accountable for their actions then we have nothing to complain about when they violate our rights.

Simply put, cops don't want you catching them doing something they shouldn't be doing, cause they make daily practice of it

[EVLPropaganda]

Mr. Ridley

[mcgrawtim123]

I suggest you change the NH constitution and dump the Senate, as Nebraska did, and have a Unicameral. Save you some bucks and some grief.

[bbburton]

This officer is talking bullshit. What is being recorded are police confrontations. Police are always able to speak privately with citizens who are reporting to police. Big difference between confrontation and cooperation.

[rayme4raw]

Aww, the government thug doesn't want us to critic his job. It's seems every other day, you see on you tube how cops are tazering old people and pregnant women. We are armed free people, without our guns, we are slaves.

[SILENTNATION1]

Usual diatribe of comments...the problem...that I see, is that "freestaters" fail in every measure to simply understand another persons thought process if it doesn't fall in line with theirs. I understand the point of wanting the ability to record an arrest....while I also understand I wouldn't want to be taped if I was a victim to some crime that I wanted to remain private. But of course - if one isn't anti police with a "freestater" - a hearty FU is in order.

[ThndersRage]

What you are failing to see is that the VICTIM is not allowed to Audio record for their own purposes. Should VICTIMS be disallowed the ability to audio record their interaction with public servants? Unless I am mistaken the whole point of this is to make it legal to audio record public servants in public areas, not private citizens and victims at random.

[porcupine07]

Yet another case of so called public servants demanding and getting a double standard, and insisting that laws and court rulings do not bind them.

If you or I sued the police department for recording me on a red light camera without my permission, or any other type of recording of my activities in a public place, I would be scoffed at and told that I have no right to privacy in a public place.

[porcupine07]

This officer said it all when he said "The way law enforcement does business"

That's exactly what it is: a business where pathetic, insecure bureaucrats get their kicks by micromanaging every aspect of the peoples' lives and have at their disposal armed men from the police department to enforce the corporate policies of the town.

He inadvertantly explained the whole deal. The People of New Hampshire knowing what they are doing is costing them money.

[massltca]

Give me a break!!! The reason this officer objected to the bill is they don't want to be held accountable for their actions. Recording an officer during a traffic stop or other potentially hostile encounter is pretty much the only defense the citizen has against police misconduct or brutality. If they have nothing to hide why oppose being recorded?

[Blogengezer]

massltca: the Rodney King incident changed the nation. The Media did NOT portray the entire encounter as it began or what was said. Californians saw and heard far more in the trial. Most minds had been made up as soon as the first several seconds were flashed on TV. Being in So Cal during and after the trial of the officer, taught me a lesson in MOB RULE or more aptly, lack of 'Rule of Law'. Media escalates these situations. TORT Lawyers work it for all it is worth, which is plenty.

[diogeneslaertius666]

Armed Civilians

this is my new favorite phrase.

[VANVALIS]

Wa state as well. You are in public, you can be recorded.

[webovisionca]

All the top secret police meeting occur at the local coffee shop. Get those f$ckin' cameras out of here. they have no business recording us drink coffee!

[downlowfunk]

this is sort of related to business.

I was looking at the tax bill for a property I want to purchase in NH. The letter head made the towns information look more like a business than a government office.

[CredoVeritas]

That is because it is a business.....with all seriousness. Think about what "incorporation" means?

Likewise, you are an employee (U.S. Citizen) of the USA, Inc. and granted the privilege of 14th amendment rights., i.e., you have no Constitutional, common law protection. You are a subject under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Government (Corporation) and subject to all laws and statutes (policy) which are enforced by "Policey" Officers (not peace officers) and given force via the LAW Society.

[downlowfunk]

Thank you,

I have been made aware of this in the past, but it takes a while to fully understand. It doesnt help when schools teach you a false idea of what government is. When I saw that letterhead I could see it plain as day.

[klaptongroovemaster]

I think this police officer underestimates how powerful the words "please" and "thank you" can be when dealing with folks like Dave Ridley. I am completely confident that in a scenario like the officer described, he said, "Please don't record this, for this other person's privacy" that he would undoubtedly stop recording.

But unfortunately, those words are all too often washed out of the minds of LEOs during their training. This option probably never even occurred to this officer.

[THAWK3]

Simply amend it to read"in cases of the public divulging confidential Information,recording shall cease..." done.

[downlowfunk]

No they better pick a good spot to hide their information. There are plenty of places for the police to meet privately without fear of recording.

[THAWK3]

That' our argument-I was referring to his (cop).

[803honda]

Many employers video record their employees while on the job. Is law enforcement not employed by the taxpayers? If they dont like bein recorded they need to find another job.

[JosiahsBackpack]

0:50 "..the way that law enforcement does do business..." = really? You are in business? What business would that be? Most businesses are their to make a profit. Are you saying you care more about making profit than being a civil servant?

Yes sir. If you are talking with an officer in a public place then you have no expectation of privacy. Want to have privacy? Then go to a closed office or somewhere private (period).

On the job means on the record.

[zebra334]

if your IN PUBLIC then there is no "expectation of privacy" period! You want a private conversation then go to a private spot. Transparency is paramount. Public official working IN PUBLIC can and should be held accountable, using a lawful camera in plain sight, while "not interfering" is a way to hold them accountable. The freedom to record what I want in public is my free speech. In Portland Or. city police (now) are told to respect videographer and "we can film the police without being hassled

[bestroyale]

thank you

[RodneyHampton]

Correct.

[electrophonic]

why does everything have to be "OPEN CARRY"??

sooner or later you guys are going to instigate the Dems in the Legislature to put up a law outlawing Open Carry, and 100% without question, we will LOSE.

[HHODork]

Why does everything have to be Free Speech? Why does everything have to be right to ownership of property?

Its a right that we must all exercise or we will lose it. That's why.

[jaimekid]

Is electrophonic for real? That would be like saying:

"Why do we have to have rights? Sooner or later your use of your rights will cause some people to be upset and then they will be taken away so why use them to begin with."

[earthmother]

it's all about arrogance with a dose of wild-west-mentality tossed in for good measure.

[UOGSammich]

So this guy tells us that he has no problem discussing sensitive matters in public to begin with... and the problem is cameras may be around? Sensitive information should be discussed behind doors to begin with. His points are such garbage, some ignorant citizen started a fight because he doesn't know his amendments... thats why video taping is a problem huh? wow

[bulldogger]

If you took away one thing from this video it should be his use of the word 'Business' and what he's relating it to.

[EdwardMandellHouse]

On the job - on the record.