This is extremely good advice. What one is doing here, psychologically
speaking, is tipping the balance of power. Cops have a hard time dealing
with this, because they are all taught to think that they are the ones in
charge.
One word of caution, however. Recent state supreme court rulings in
Massachusetts have set it up that , unless you INFORM the cop that you are
taking video / audio records, the evidence will NOT hold up in court, if it
comes to that. Also, you do not need a cop's permission to video / audio
tape him / her. Simply inform the cop that you are going to do this.
Of course, if that had been the state of the law a few years ago, we never
would have seen that Rodney King video. Times have changed. Fascism does not
come all at once.
Chuck
'83 Westy
-----Original Message-----
From: developtrust <developtrust@COX.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, May 18, 2002 12:58 PM
Subject: Just cause: The solution

>Officer: Do you mind if I search your van?
>
>Owner: I'd rather not.  My van is my private vaation home. If it is really
>necessary do you mind if I videotape you, your badge number and your
>searching technique?