Q: Mr. Federal Way, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced his legal opinion on police body cameras on Monday after Sen. Andy Billig requested the opinion on five legal questions surrounding the use of body cameras by law enforcement officials. What do you think of Ferguson’s opinion?
A: Ferguson opined that police “don’t need permission to record their interactions with citizens” because those interactions with on-duty police are presumed to be public, according to the Associated Press.
Mr. Federal Way can see the logic in that but, using that same logic, citizens and media professionals should also have that same right. While most of the time police don’t attest to others recording, Mr. Federal Way only needs to conduct a simple Google search to see videos of upset cops, using every excuse to demand citizens to stop recording or to back away.
What shocked Mr. Federal Way was that Ferguson said officers are “under no obligation to turn off the cameras if people object to being recorded — even if the conversation is being recorded at someone’s home,” the Associate Press article continues.
It’s illegal to record a phone conversation without someone’s knowledge or permission in Washington state, so why is it legal to record through a video camera without their permission? Either way, it makes Mr. Federal Way happy to hear these videos will be pursuant to the Public Records Act, but a little worried whether this “free rein” of footage will prompt broadcast news to obtain footage of someone getting arrested, even if they aren’t charged with a crime.
Since the Federal Way Mirror typically doesn’t name someone until they’re charged, Mr. Federal Way only hopes other media outlets follow the same ethical policy and think twice before potentially ruining someone’s life by publishing their arrest on TV. Several cities are outfitting police uniforms with the cameras and it’ll be interesting to see what transpires from it.
But Mr. Federal Way can tell you that the Federal Way Police Department isn’t considering these body cameras, nor are there plans to. Cathy Schrock with the police department said there was once a year-long pilot program for “dash cams” or dashboard cameras. She said the technology was hard to maintain, it was expensive and the public records retention was “more than staff could handle.” Mr. Federal Way commends the department for not getting in over their heads on this one.
Q: Mr. Federal Way, will you be participating in Black Friday or Thursday deals? Many stores are opening at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving this year.
A: Well, Mr. Federal Way will certainly not be shopping on Thanksgiving — there’s a game against the 49ers that is not to be missed. But putting the game aside, it’s easy to say those who shop on Thanksgiving don’t know the value of family or what it means to be thankful. The perception is they are greedy for good deals and have no respect for the Thanksgiving American tradition.
Mr. Federal Way says take a look at the big picture.
To be honest, Thanksgiving was supposed to be about coming together with Native Americans to share a grand feast. Instead, we stole their land and gave them smallpox. Car prowls reach highs this time of year. People are laid off or affected by adverse weather conditions — think of those who work outside for a living.
Yes, Black Friday is a materialistic venture but Mr. Federal Way can’t help but think of holidays that so many people do care about and that’s Christmas and/or Hanukkah. Mr. Federal Way can’t help but think of those single mothers who can only afford the thing their teenage son wants by waking up at 3 a.m. on Friday or sacrificing her Thanksgiving dinner.
And Mr. Federal Way can’t help but think of the reason people act crazy during these times. Yes, people are materialistic but what about the pressure parents feel? The pressure to satisfy their children’s Christmas wishes? Mr. Federal Way ultimately salutes those who do sacrifice Thanksgiving or their sleep for their loved ones so that Christmas looks a little brighter than their every day normal.
It’s easy to teach humility and humbleness, but everyone wants to feel special sometimes and maybe Black Friday/Thursday can provide that even if just for a second on Christmas morning.
Q: Mr. Federal Way, sweet potatoes or yams?
A: None of your business.
Got a question for Mr. Federal Way? Email mrfederalway@federalwaymirror.com
