Glenn Reynolds blogged the arrested-for-photographing-the-cops story too. Of course, he did it earlier. In his commentary, he offers this terrific idea: I think we need civil rights legislation making this kind of arrest illegal. Treble damages, plus the right to civil forfeiture of any police property or equipment used in the arrest. Oh, and respondeat superior liability … [Read more...] about A Great Idea From the Instapundit
Archives for July 2006
Ignorance of the Law
The story is a little vague, and there may be more to the incident, but it seems a Philadelphia police officer has proven his ignorance of the rights of the free press: PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia family said they are outraged over the arrest of one of their family members. The family of Neftaly Cruz said police had no right to come onto their property and arrest … [Read more...] about Ignorance of the Law
Too Much SWAT, Part 1
In response to an article I wrote last month about Police Shootings that Make You Go Hmmmm..., a commenter named Erick writes: I've been on the Chicago Police SWAT team now without incident for over a year. SWAT teams don't just take random phone calls from anonymous callers, gear up and go smashing in peoples doors. If this were the only criteria people would call in false … [Read more...] about Too Much SWAT, Part 1
The Value of Land Under Eminent Domain
Radley Balko says this: In Tacoma, Washington, the "Sound Transit," a government agency, offered a landowner $439,000 for a piece of property in 2004. Finding the offer low, the landowner sued, and eventually lost in the State Supreme Court. Now, the Sound Transit is offering just $240,000, citing a "reassessment" of the property's value. That's about half what the same agency … [Read more...] about The Value of Land Under Eminent Domain
Zombie Dance Party
You don't really need to know the rest of this story about a "zombie dance party" to appreciate this paragraph: Police say the group was uncooperative and intimidated passersby with their "ghoulish" makeup at a time when officers were on high alert in reaction to a bulletin about men in other states who wear clown makeup while attacking and robbing people. Now that's great … [Read more...] about Zombie Dance Party