Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2004/07/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Frank: >See Ian Spiers' account of his interation with several local and federal >law enforcement >agents while trying to complete his 'motion' assignment for his photography >class. Scary >disgusting. > >http://www.brownequalsterrorist.com/artiststatement/ Here's what I read: Some busybody without a life of his own noticed the guy out taking pictures and notes of the locks. He phoned the police. Given a tip and the current political situation, the police followed up. Ian wasn't arrested. Wasn't handcuffed. Wasn't hauled down to the police station. Questioned. If the police hadn't followed up the report of suspicious behavior, and something happened to the locks, I'm fairly confident that previously mentioned busybody would be calling the papers and shouting to anybody who would listen, "I tried to warn the police!" What did the police do that was wrong? I've had the local police follow up on a tip and come pay me a visit. Nothing earth shattering. Just a misunderstanding by somebody not minding his own business. I invited the officer into my home, and we chatted. He played with my German Shepherd pup and gave me some tips from his experience with them. Given what the misunderstanding was, the police were obligated to check me out. Believe it or not, most police officers are people just like the rest of us. They have a job to do and a paycheck to earn. Not nearly a big enough paycheck for having to carry a gun and be a target. I wouldn't want to do it. :) -- Eric http://canid.com/