Another Reason Why Loitering Laws Are A Joke. Baltimore Police Use Them To Censor [video]

Baltimore, Md police were told that they can't arrest people just for recording them. So they are now using the unconstitutional law of "loitering" to get away with the status quo.

The new rule says that citizens have an "absolute right" to photograph or video record the enforcement actions taking place in public view. The chief legal counsel for the agency called it "an extension of the citizen's right to see. [An officer] wouldn't go up to a citizen at a crime scene and tell them to close their eyes, so the officer can't tell them they can't film." 

But the rules also says that the person recording may not "violate any section of any law, ordinance, code or criminal article" - such as loitering - while doing so. The officers on Cross Street seemed aware of that fine print. 

The police union says the officers acted appropriately and professionally; the ACLU says it shows there's more work to be done.

Via BoingBoing