Traffic cameras watch your speed, security cameras watch your comings and goings, but is anyone watching the police? Police in Maryland, Michigan and elsewhere would rather you didn’t — particularly not on YouTube. Just last Saturday, Yvonne Nicole Shaw, 27, was arrested in Lexington Park, Md., for recording deputies in her apartment complex responding to a noise complaint. Sheriff’s Cpl. Patrick Handy’s report explained the arrest: Shaw “did admit to recording our encounter on her cell phone for the purpose of trying to show the police are harassing people.” This sounds like she was more of a threat to the jobs of public safety officers than to public safety itself. One is not the same as the other.
Another recent example of contempt for the average camera-wielding citizen in Maryland: Anthony Graber’s home was raided by police, after which he was arrested and jailed, charged with violating Maryland’s wiretapping statute. What did he do? He posted video of a traffic stop during which a Maryland State trooper drew his firearm. For this offense, Graber faces five years in prison.
