Police State

New Jersey cop allegedly shot man to death as wife and three kids looked on

"New Jersey police officer Joseph Walker, 40, was arrested Saturday in Maryland after he allegedly shot and killed a man in the midst of a road rage dispute, even as his wife and three children looked on. Maryland State Police told CBS Baltimore that Walker killed 36-year-old Joseph Harvey after the two encountered on another on Route 3. Police added that Walker’s wife and three children were in the car with him at the time. The family was traveling through Maryland back to New Jersey, where Walker works as an officer for the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. He’s being held on $1 million bail, facing charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingNew Jersey cop allegedly shot man to death as wife and three kids looked on

The Chilling Effects of License-Plate Location Tracking

"Location tracking has far-reaching implications for the way we live, even if we don't think we've done anything wrong. Our recent report, 'You Are Being Tracked,' shows that automatic license plate readers allow law enforcement to track every car on the road, not just those relevant to an investigation. This type of widespread tracking endangers our rights of protest and association and has the potential to reach deep into our lives and alter our daily decision making. Once your location information is collected and stored by a third party, you have lost control over it, and there is no way to know whose hands it will end up in." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingThe Chilling Effects of License-Plate Location Tracking

CA Highway Patrol officer accused of sexual battery against disabled man

"A CHP officer was arrested and charged with sexual battery and disorderly conduct on Friday for allegedly touching a 22-year-old disabled man inappropriately inside a shopping mall bathroom. The Sacramento Bee reported that 47-year-old Jeffery Closson, a 25-year veteran of the CHP, was booked into Sacramento County jail on Friday afternoon in connection with a June 20 incident at the Arden Fair Mall. Police said they determined Closson was a possible suspect using mall security camera footage from the day of the alleged encounter. KOVR-TV reported that Closson was allegedly exposing and touching himself during the incident." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCA Highway Patrol officer accused of sexual battery against disabled man

29 arrested for singing anti-Walker lyrics in Wisconsin state capitol

"Dozens of protesters were arrested Thursday night for singing in Wisconsin capitol, in the second round of arrests triggered by a judge’s ruling that all groups over 20 people must obtain a permit before demonstrating. At least 29 people with 'Solidarity Sing-Along' were cuffed and taken away on Thursday night, according to local media. The arrests came a day after police took 24 singers into custody, making good on their oft’ repeated threats to enforce the permit rule. The group has maintained a daily presence in the capitol for over two years, singing well-known songs every afternoon featuring anti-Republican lyrics, according to The Associated Press." Continue reading →

Continue Reading29 arrested for singing anti-Walker lyrics in Wisconsin state capitol

Kokesh Charged With Openly Carrying Shotgun in D.C.

"Adam Kokesh, seen loading a gun in D.C.'s Freedom Plaza in a video posted to YouTube July 4, has been transferred from Fairfax County and charged in D.C. with openly carrying a shotgun in violation of D.C. laws, reports WTOP. The maximum penalty for those who have not previously been convicted of a felony is a fine of $5,000 and/or up to five years in prison. Those who have been convicted of a felony could face a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 10 years in prison. Kokesh had been arrested and charged with drug offenses in Fairfax County earlier in July." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingKokesh Charged With Openly Carrying Shotgun in D.C.

House Democrat proposes police registration for neighborhood watchmen

"Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) said Wednesday that she would soon introduce legislation that would cut federal funding to any state that doesn't require neighborhood watch programs to register with police. 'We will … decrease the incidence of gun violence resulting from vigilantes by reducing by 20 percent the funds that would otherwise be allocated … to any state that does not require local neighborhood watch programs to be registered with a local [law] enforcement agency,' Jackson Lee said on the House floor. She said her bill would also use the threat of less federal money to entice states to change their 'stand your ground' laws." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHouse Democrat proposes police registration for neighborhood watchmen

Manchester officials nab five illegal taxis in sting operation

"With most taxis grounded over maintenance issues, city police and licensing officials nabbed five gypsy or otherwise illegal cabs Friday in a sting operation, officials said. The culprits included an airport limousine service and a young woman who used her personal car as a taxi, said Kevin Kincaid, director of licensing and enforcement for the city Clerk's Office. As part of the sting, police used websites such as Craigslist and telephone searches to find a cab. But the owner of Amoskeag Airport Service said he was doing nothing wrong and has hired a lawyer to fight the $200 citation he received, as well as regain the Honda Accord that authorities confiscated." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingManchester officials nab five illegal taxis in sting operation

House leaders defend voting against bill to rein in NSA spying

"Republican and Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives defended their support for a spy program that sweeps up vast amounts of electronic communications after it survived a surprisingly close vote a day earlier. Although Speaker John Boehner said he was glad the House had the debate, he was unapologetic about his vote, echoing the contention of the Obama administration and intelligence chiefs that the NSA program was essential for national security. Nancy Pelosi, the top Democrat in the House, who voted against the amendment, said Democrats voted on both sides of the resolution, but 'stand together' in their concerns about the program." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingHouse leaders defend voting against bill to rein in NSA spying

Congressman Holt pushes to abolish Patriot Act he voted for in 2001

"Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) crafted new legislation that would abolish the Patriot Act, and on Thursday the congressman introduced the bill known as HR-2818 to the House that would do just that. The Surveillance State Repeal Act is aimed to undo not only the Patriot Act but also the parts of the 2008 amendment to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act that gives the government the power to have backdoor access to online electronic devices. Rush Holt joins us with more on why he regrets passing the Patriot Act and what he hopes will change." Continue reading →

Continue ReadingCongressman Holt pushes to abolish Patriot Act he voted for in 2001