You are not allowed to use a camera in public in new york, but the government has a camera on every street?

Question

Why should we allow them to record our every action, but we the people, the supposed power in the country, cannot videotape them without a permit?

Why is the government slowly eroding our freedom? If they continue to convert rights into priveliges, eventually we will be left with NO rights.

http://www.wearechange.org/

It is true, look it up. You have to have a permit to shoot video in new york.

i have seen many times cops telling people that they cannot shoot video in NY. They even take their tape from them sometimes. Go there, and try it, then see what heppens.

Now you have to buy 1 million dollar insurance to get the permit. Here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/29/nyregion/29camera.html?ei=5090&en=71135caff6fefe6a&ex=1340769600&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=print

**They are trying to pass the law now about the 1 million dollar insurance for a photography shooting permit.

BarB - you are wrong. I am one law abiding citizen who minds the intrusion of my privacy.

I am sorry, i got some skewed information.

Bloomberg is attempting to make what they have been doing already legal. And you need to get the permit if you are going to shoot more than 10 minutes of video. This makes no difference, though, because it is a power grab and a violation of the constitution.

"m1a1Mikegolf' - you are wrong about that.

Here is an excerpt from the new yourk times article that i already posted:

“These rules will apply to a huge range of casual photography and filming, including tourists taking snapshots and people making short videos for YouTube,” said Christopher Dunn, the group’s associate legal director.

"The queen has spoken" - you are wrong, keep reading in my details and you will see me adress someone else with a clip from the NYT that said it will effect tourists, youtube video makers, etc.

Answer 1

State your proof that you cannot use a camera in public in NY....I'm originally from NY and family's still there...

update: I did talk to my sister in NYC and saw your article links (Thanks), my sister says it is true, however that is for long video shooting only...you can still shoot ten minutes or less of videos....may as well go back to still shots for now...I know since 9/11 there have been a couple of arrests made in NYC and outside of the city of prospective terrorists. There was evidence found in one instance where after the arrests were made, evidence was found that someone took a video shot of the Brooklyn Bridge and sent copies of it to other possible terrorists so that something could be plotted out as far as another possible attack. I think its a pretty good idea for this type of rule to put in place, however, it's a little towards "over-protecting" the city. But you never know....like we, the public never about 9/11's horrid morning at the WTC, thanks for Bush's administration for not releasing the info or even seeing more into the forewarning from bin Laden the summer before.

Answer 2

You don't have to allow them to do anything. Wear a mask! Take pictures of their cameras and broadcast them all over the world. Why is it that illegal immigrants can do whatever they want where-ever they want without prosecution and we, the citizens, can't? I say, if they (the government) can't deport 12-20 million illegal immigrants then we millions of law-abiding citizens should show up on the streets of New York, armed with our video cameras and take pictures of everything and anything. Can you imagine the scene that would create if thousands of U.S. Citizens lined the streets of New York ten minutes before they go to work in the morning and videotape everything in sight? What can the government do? Fine all of us? I seriously doubt it, any more than they can process the millions of law-abiding immigrants' applications to come here, anymore than they can process the millions of passport applications, or even manage to monitor all those cameras they have in the streets. Imagine the Constitutional impact of U.S. Citizens rebelling against their freedom of movement and freedom of expression, and freedom of the press while the government violates our rights to privacy? It would be as funny as those thousands of nudists who posed for that artist's picture.

As to your question about eroding our freedom. The government has only as much power as the people are willing to give it. If we start exercising our power, we will put the government back in its rightful place -- under the watchful eye and action of the people of the USA. Unless the people continue to allow the erosion of their rights, it cannot continue. We cannot continue our complacency and expect that the government will do the right thing. The government is comprised of humans who have human frailties and therefore continuous diligence is required on the part of the US Citizens.

By the way, BarB, when you go into a store, you're videotaped. When you go to an ATM, you're videotaped. When you go into the bank, you're videotaped. When you drive the tollway, you're videotaped. Having cameras on street corners is much the same as having cameras in your home because they monitor your comings and goings and with the ability to monitor your whereabouts due to the GPS chips in cell phones, don't kid yourself that they aren't watching every move we make. Just because you aren't a thug or a law-breaker doesn't mean you won't or can't be abused under color of law. When the government wants a scape goat or an organ donor, they'll look for the healthy ones. That's why we need checks and balances.

I do agree though that I'd like to see the source or the law. It could be struck down as unconstitutional pretty quickly. The Constitutional provision, regarding rights to privacy and trials and other 5th Amendment rights -- self-incrimination and the fact that warrants are required are just a few of the examples of the laws.

Answer 3

Well, frankly, with thugs, deadbeats and lowlifes out there who prey on the honest citizens, I have no problem with video cameras being on the streets.

I obey the law, am not a thug - therefore, I have nothing to hide. I don't think any law-abiding citizen finds these cameras and other devises to be an intrusion upon our privacy.

Now, if they wanted to install one in my home or wanted to know where I was and what I was doing every minute of the day, that would be a different story. However, they are not looking for the average Joe....they are watching for the predators who walk among us.

Answer 4

Apparently, the law only applies to commercial photography and videotaping. Remember that commercial videotaping tends to interfere with the ability of the rest of the public to use that particular place - so this requirement merely ensure fair access for all.

And it is a common and reasonable practice to require some sort of liability insurance for somebody who wishes to use a public place for commercial purposes.

Addendum: Who is Christopher Dunn and why should we accept his opinion about anything? Also - anything that comes from the NYT should be taken with a grain of salt.

Answer 5

As long as people are willing to trade safety for freedom, our rights will continue to diminish.

‘‘They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety," observed Benjamin Franklin, "deserve neither liberty nor safety."

In the name of security are we concentrating and institutionalizing power in such ways that we are inviting terror far beyond what any terrorist group could ever hope to inflict on us?

We have already allowed an incredible and unprecedented concentration of power, threatening to destroy all constitutional protections. The new Department of Homeland Security and the USA Patriot Act represent an enormous restructuring and centralizing of power. Yet each day brings word of new proposals calling for the federal government to usurp more power, and for the states and the people to surrender more of their rights, freedoms, and responsibilities.

In effect, Bush is saying this to the American people: I need to take away some of your rights to ensure your safety. I’ll decide on my own which ones to take and when to take them. But I can’t tell you anything more about it, because the terrorists might be listening. Trust me. It’s for your own good.

The problem with this end-justifies-the-means power grab is that, once permitted, there is no freedom that cannot be sacrificed on the altar of national security. Indeed, one of the scariest notions to arise in the wake of Bush’s wiretapping scandal is the possibility (dare I say likelihood?) that the president is at this very moment violating even more of our rights without our consent or knowledge. How many additional constitutional amendments have been trampled by the Bush administration? And, given the unprecedented secrecy surrounding this presidency, how will we ever know?


Perhaps someday our president will come to realize what millions of Americans inherently understand: The willingness to give away our inalienable rights for a bit of perceived security is a sign of both weakness and fear.

Answer 6

It is obviously necessary, because there have been amazing amounts of police brutality video surfacing now that everybody has a camera. Making the government look like jack booted things makes it hard for them to convince people that we need them to be safe.

Distributing video unapproved by the Ministry of Truth is dangerous to the public interest.

Stay Safe!

Answer 7

Keeping it in context the ordinance being considered is for Professional photographers and film makers.

If you oppose the Possible Legislation then protest at public meeting and your local alterman.

Answer 8

Your are right. Seems like a good time to start 'making a racket' now, before it is too late. See how the public outcry stopped the phony immigration bill? It works if enough do it.

Answer 9

New Yorkers, like Californians, put up with some pretty stupid laws and it doesn't say much for their intelligence. Yet from each coast we hear that the ones in the middle are the real problem. Guess it depends on what your agenda is. Mine is freedom.

Answer 10

Its a stupid law just to cause trouble, just ignore it and film what ever you want. If you get caught just say your a tourist! and don't know about the laws.