Baltimore City Paper (Dec 2) - "Citizen Journalist Broadcasts Own Police
Standoff":
http://blogs.citypaper.com/index.php/2012/12/citizen-journalist-broadcasts-own-police-standoff/
Baltimore Sun (Dec 2) - "Local blogger surrenders to police after live
broadcasting standoff" by @justin_fenton:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-waverly-barricade-20121201,0,3406641.story
The legal facts of this event seem likely to hash out clearly. However,
I encourage engagement as the event seems to embody a few themes of
relevance for this list:
- Some element within the Baltimore Police Department monitored
@BaltoSpectator's Twitter account for some period of time prior to
serving the warrant. The acts of speech were considered serious enough
to justify an escalation of force. The exact details of that escalation
are still emerging, but it's clear BPD "surrounded his home" and it also
appears that SWAT was deployed.
- @BaltoSpectator used social media to effect virtual witnesses to his
arrest. Apparently a regular at Baltimore-area crime scenes through
volunteer work for Investigative Voice and as an independent gadfly, he
was concerned for his safety and it seems not a little bit paranoid. In
the event, he was successful - gaining over 2,500 Twitter followers on
Saturday with 20K listeners tuning in to the 5-hour live broadcast.
- During the broadcast, @BaltoSpectator requested a 911 operator connect
him to the BPD forces serving the warrant, eventually connecting with a
negotiator (Lt. Jason Yerg). @BaltoSpectator broadcast that
conversation with Lt. Yerg, providing transparency into and an
accessible record of the negotiations. Given the legal precedents
currently being established as regards filming law enforcement officers
in the line of duty, livestreaming adds another layer of complexity. In
this case, it appears to have ensured minimal use of force by the BPD.
ymmv,
gf
On 12/1/12 11:49 PM, Douglas Lucas wrote:
In the most recent post on his site, dated Dec 1 -
http://baltimorespectator.blogspot.com/2012/12/freedom-under-fire-i-will-die-free.html
- @BaltoSpectator claims he was detained for 40 days without charge,
bail, or warrant, and that a lawyer and state Senator were told he
wasn't there.
Seeing my tweet about the above, @justin_fenton, crime reporter for the
Baltimore Sun, said: "It was an involuntary commitment, as I recall.
That's a whole convoluted tale that I dont have facts on"
https://twitter.com/justin_fenton/status/275100147229278208
On 12/01/2012 11:20 PM, Gregory Foster wrote:
As @MTarro stated:
http://twitter.com/MTarro/status/275097615727726593
Just bizarre to read the @BaltoSpectator swat situation play out on
Twitter. Almost like seeing IDF and Hamas tweet attacks.
Lots to sort out here, but certainly a few things to talk about. Here's
some loosely vetted resources to help track this event.
Website:
http://www.baltimorespectator.com/
Spreaker audio broadcast from the event:
http://www.spreaker.com/user/baltimorespectator/live_stand_off_surrounded_by_cops
Tweets from earlier, implicated in Baltimore PD's decision to
recalibrate force when serving a Failure To Appear warrant?
http://storify.com/drspaulding/earlier-tweets-baltospectator
https://twitter.com/kennethlipp/status/275089232027078657
A Maryland State Delegate mentioned by @BaltoSpectator as potential counsel?
http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/06hse/html/msa13966.html
http://twitter.com/jillpcarter
A fellow with a close view:
http://twitter.com/justin_fenton
An alleged screencap of an arrest record:
http://twitter.com/cattyidiot/status/275097802898538496/photo/1
Video of @BaltoSpectator being taken into custody:
http://telly.com/5GFKL
Ended his audio broadcast with a recording of a Ron Paul speech. As
@MissBeaE stated:
http://twitter.com/MissBeaE/status/275090723156660225
Say what you will, @BaltoSpectator #BaltimoreSpectator has reminded
people of the role and importance of independent radio.
gf
--
Gregory Foster || [email protected]
@gregoryfoster <> http://entersection.com/
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