Deerfield-News.com-Deerfield Beach,Fl-Those that are followers of this blog know I may have my politcal opinions but in general we are BSO friendly and try to publish as much info to help the public as we can that BSO provides.
Yesterday for the umpteenth time I have had Deputies violate my constitutional right to video and blog.When three deputies order you,unlawfully to cease a first amendment right something is wrong. I understand the sensitvity of the situation,someone just died.To tell a citizen that there is a state statute prohibiting the filming,and that they carry civil penalties as well is too much. I will not start a constitutional challenge at the scene with Deputies that are working.I felt it was better to leave I had my pictures,all I wanted was information. I contacted the BSO communication center and tried to contact the on duty BSO Public Information Officer.
We were told a BSO deputy was involved somehow in yesterdays incident.I understand these scenes are not pleasurable for Deputies either and they have a job to do.
They are doing an investigation and trying to comfort the bereaved family that was at the scene.
That said their job is to not lie to citizens about a non existent law.They would do better asking someone especially if they are in the news business to refrain as a courtesy.
We like many have been asked to with hold names on occasion for different reasons safety or as family has not yet been notifed etc and we do.
Challenging the rights of bloggers who have the same rights as the Sun-Sentinel who took pictures or anyone else videoing in public is just wrong.There is no expectation of privacy in public.The constitution does not get suspended at a Florida traffic fatality because a Deputy says so.
My sympathy to the family of the motorcyclist,it is horrible you went through this .RIP
