Obstruction of Justice?
I must have missed this story the first time around—I just caught it now!
A couple weeks ago, a 21-year-old Philly guy was arrested for taking a photo of police activity with this cell phone camera. Neftaly Cruz is a student at PSU who was home when police arrived in his neighborhood to arrest a drug dealer. When he saw what was going on outside, he flipped open his cell phone and click! An officer came over to Cruz and arrested him. According to a witness, the officer said “You should have just went in the house and minded your own business instead of trying to take pictures off your picture phone.” The police informed Cruz he broke a law that prohibits people from using cell phones to take photographs of police.
An ACLU representative said “There is no law that prevents people from taking pictures of what anybody can see on the street” which is exactly what I thought. I never heard of any law making it illegal to take a photo of any public people or activity. This wasn’t paparazzi stalking, evidence tampering, or investigation interference; this was just some guy at home going “Whoa, police” and shooting a photo.
Does anyone have any other information on any laws regarding taking photographs? What are you feelings on the police arresting Cruz? Is this a case of personal rights violations or obstruction of justice?
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- The Real World: Cops Do Bad Things Too
- The Good of the City
- “No, this is Afghanistan.”
- Avoid This Area!
- Photo of the Day 2
