A story in today's Philadelphia Daily News shows why it's so important that citizens be allowed to videotape cops - it can be citizens' only way to fight back against police abuse of power.
This incident happened several weeks ago in Philadelphia to Mark Fiorino, a 25-year-old IT worker who carries a gun on his hip at all times for self defense. He got the gun after several friends were mugged.
But he didn't count on attacks by police:
On a mild February afternoon, Fiorino, 25, decided to walk to an AutoZone on Frankford Avenue in Northeast Philly with the .40-caliber Glock he legally owns holstered in plain view on his left hip. His stroll ended when someone called out from behind: "Yo, Junior, what are you doing?"
Fiorino wheeled and saw Sgt. Michael Dougherty aiming a handgun at him.
8 comments:
lmao, cops enforcing laws that don't exist on law abiding citizens while the criminals run rampant with no law enforcement around! typical!
some people just shouldn't be cops!
I think he should have cooperated with the police until they proved one way or another. If I was a cop I wouldnt just take his word that he was legal
Well I thought he was cocky...but have you been to Philly??? Everyone is Cocky.....I think this is a OH SHIT! WHAT DO WE DO NOW!!!
Can you say CHA-CHING$$$
Seems to me he was cooperative. The cop was rude, abusive and ignorant. How he made sgt. is beyond me.
First words out of cops mouth were yo, juinor? He was disrespectful from the start.
Some training and education is needed.
Training and education?
Those cops should be arrested and imprisioned for violating this mans constitutional rights.
Obama said he would have a police Force greater than the army...
6:43 PM
If you locked up every cop that did something like this, it would be a skeleton force that was left.
I would rather correct the situation than throw that experience and knowledge away. ( Although it is questionable in this case. )
We need more cops, not less. Unless there is a history of this, make him get current on existing laws, which he should already be up on, if it happens again, there goes his career and pension. That SHOULD get his attention.
One more tidbit, although this guy Mark broke no laws, when a cop is telling you to do something, do it. Especially if he is pointing his sidearm at you.
The street is no place to argue with a cop. Go to the station house and file a complaint. Argue in court.
He knew he was recording the conversation. That may have played a factor in his actions.
No doubt the cop was wrong but if Mark had simply shut his mouth, let the cop be in charge of the situation, it would have been better for all concerned.
Cops are a walking target. Mark was well within his rights but people walking around with a gun on their hip in not common in this area. Montana yes, Philly no.
Have a nice night.
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