Seattle police receive spanking for taking photographer's camera

Thomas Hawk says:

Apparently the City of Seattle settled with amateur photographer Bogdan Mohora after the ACLU helped him file a claim over a false arrest when Seattle cops James Pitts and David Toner arrested Mohara for taking their photograph during the arrest. Bogdan was awarded $8,000 and the officers were disciplined.

Just another friendly reminder that photography is not a crime, even if the police tell you it is.

Link

[#1 posted by Antinous , January 23, 2008 4:03 PM]

I'm bitterly disappointed that it wasn't a literal spanking, because I would have paid good money for the video.

[#2 posted by Takuan , January 23, 2008 4:10 PM]

have you tried contacting the officers directly?

[#3 posted by mellowknees , January 23, 2008 4:49 PM]

Where is 'V' when you need him, eh?

[#4 posted by Al Billings , January 23, 2008 5:03 PM]

Takuan, why?

[#5 posted by Antinous , January 23, 2008 5:11 PM]

Takuan's responding to my previous suggestion that he try self-pleasuring with a taser.

[#6 posted by blammo5000 , January 23, 2008 5:20 PM]

@ Al Billings

Think it through Al. Think it through.

[#7 posted by Takuan , January 23, 2008 5:28 PM]

it didn't work either (*stupid wires!)

[#8 posted by Kinnaird , January 23, 2008 6:16 PM]

He's lucky the cops didn't taser him to death, they have that right!

[#9 posted by crankyphotographer , January 23, 2008 7:42 PM]

For anyone carrying a camera and using it in a public place, I highly recommend downloading Bert P. Krages' wallet-sized PDF about The Photographer's Right. When the fuzz or the feds or the TSA threaten you for taking a picture in a public place of a public building (or people in public), you can read them your rights before they try and take away yours.

[#10 posted by JG , January 23, 2008 7:50 PM]

The Seattle police knew what they did was wrong however, they never allow a bystander to disregard their instructions regardless of whether that directive is constitutional or not.
It's a matter of maintaining control. Showing force.
Police do what they want, then let the courts straighten things out.
The courts are filled with suits involving police overstepping their roles.
If the police had LESS power the courts would be less full. It's a simple A/B logic equation.
Cops are like pit bulls, many are friendly but don't get them mad (or leave your baby alone with them if they're hungry).
Always remember the conduct of the Seattle Police conduct during the WTO cop-riots.
I was caught in the middle of the fray, I have never seen anything so frightening.

[#11 posted by dangermaus , January 23, 2008 9:29 PM]

Does anyone know if video is protected as well?

[#12 posted by strathmeyer , January 24, 2008 12:17 PM]

"Does anyone know if video is protected as well?"

No, in fact, better close your eyes.

[#13 posted by popphoto , January 24, 2008 2:05 PM]

This story comes from PopPhoto Flash's Photography Hall of Shame Article from last week (http://flash.popphoto.com/blog/2008/01/photography-hal.html) a collection of stories about the crime of photography in America

[#14 posted by Carlos Miller , January 24, 2008 11:46 PM]

This week, police in New Jersey were involved in two separate incidents where they arrested photographers.

http://carlosmiller.com/2008/01/24/newspaper-editor-sues-newark-police-after-getting-arrested-over-photographs/

http://carlosmiller.com/2008/01/24/and-another-new-jersey-photographer-gets-arrested-for-taking-photos/

[#15 posted by Takuan , January 24, 2008 11:55 PM]

this is what Youtube is for. Always carry a video camera. Get the shot. Get away. Get it on the web.
They can't stop all of us.

[#16 posted by Carlos Miller , January 25, 2008 12:36 AM]

It was a video camera that got this reporter's charges dropped against him after he was arrested for standing on a public sidewalk.

http://carlosmiller.com/2007/10/25/raw-footage-of-video-shows-reporter-was-never-standing-on-the-grass/