REPOST: Baltimore Journalist Arrested For Questioning Official - The Beginning

Originally published 20 January 2009

The first post on this blog. My what a journey it's been. - Ed.

In a city riddled with allegations of government corruption, widespread incompetence, and an out of control crime problem, some police officers apparently have taken a novel approach to restoring peace and order to the slowly sinking ship that is Baltimore City; arrest law abiding citizens who aren't actually committing crimes. That way, when asked what is being done, they can point to numbers that don't tell the real story, then point out how many arrests have been made.

Remember how on the Titanic the musicians continued to play even as water filled the cabins and half the decks were already underwater? Well, in Baltimore the situation is similar. The truth is, things are far worse than anyone is willing to talk about, but meanwhile the masses live in a state of addled apathy.

“There are thousand of cases like this being thrown out every month,“In the month of February, we threw out 902 cases; in March, we threw out over 1,200 cases — that means 70 cases a day.” -- Margaret Burns, spokeswoman for the State’s Attorney’s Office

Baltimore Police have a history of locking folks up, just because. Sometimes merely asking a question of of an officer can land you in jail. Don't believe me, just check out this story from The Baltimore Examiner in 2006. In that story, a young couple, visiting from out of town was arrested for asking a cop for directions. Talk about rolling out the welcome mat. I wish I could tell you that this practice has stopped, but sadly, it is still going on, and apparently with a great degree of frequency.

"I Can Send Anyone To Prison Just Because I Don't Like Them"

Allow me to tell you the story of one James MacArthur. As a part time journalist with years of experience and a broad body of work in several fields, he is always on the lookout for story ideas. After learning his car was impounded and a trip to the Baltimore City impound lot would be necessary, he thought it would be a perfect chance for a story. After all this place is well known for lousy customer service.  Of course, what he didn't know was, asking questions of Baltimore public officials is a jailable offense.

Never mind the First Amendment or anything like that, no, this is Baltimore City remember? It's the impound lot. The same place that is under ongoing investigation for all kinds of criminal activity. This place has been abusing the people of Baltimore for years. Thieves, liars and rude are just a few of the words that can be used to describe some of the folks working there.

Customer Service, Charm City Style

On 29 December 2008, MacArthur went to the impound lot for the purpose of retrieving his car. He felt the car was wrongfully impounded, and decided to document his experience for a future story. In the parking lot, while sitting in a car, using a cell phone camera, MacArthur began narrating.

Continuing to film,he walked into the lobby and was immediately met with loud protests from impound lot staff telling him he was not allowed to tape inside. MacArthur advised them he was an investigative journalist, and he was simply doing a story on Baltimore City government customer service. A staff member asked him for his name and contact information. MacArthur complied, giving them his cell phone number, and then took a number from a wall mounted dispenser, to be placed in que for customer service.

Waiting for his number to be called, he said there were several patrons in the lobby, some of them quite vocally agitated by the experience of dealing with the place. He told them he was a reporter and if they wanted to talk to him and share their experience, he'd be glad to meet them outside.

Suddenly a man from behind the counter came out and angrily confronted him. Never identifing himself as management, or an employee for that matter, and standing merely inches from MacArthur, he asked if there was a problem. Not knowing who the individual was, MacArthur asked him if he could identify himself. The man walked away disappearing back into the office.

At this point, MacArthur said he was there for no more than 5 minutes when his phone rang. On the line was Adrienne Barnes, Director of Communications for the Department Of Transportation, which the lot falls under. According to MacArthur, Barnes asked what was going on, and who he was working for. He told her he was doing a piece on customer service. She then asked how much longer he would be there taping, to which he replied, 10 minutes or so. Barnes said that would be fine, but the employees were kind of nervous and in the future she would appreciate being contacted in advance. MacArthur then told her, that as an investigative journalist, he prefers to show up unannounced, after all, it was a public building.

“Somewhere within the Police Department there is a policy or directive to increase the number of arrests..." -- Margaret Burns, spokeswoman for the State’s Attorney’s Office

While standing outside near the entrance, still on the phone with Barnes, four officers, one with a nightstick in his hand, marched past MacArthur and went inside. MacArthur ended the call with Barnes telling her the were police on scene. He then went back into the building at which point the officers immediately surrounded him. The lead officer, identified as Officer Michael Maurice, of the Baltimore Police asked him to step outside. MacArthur says he feared going outside with the four officers. Their aggressive posture and demeanor made him feel that he was in danger of bodily harm and therefore, would only be safe if he remained in view of other people.

Don't You Dare Question Me

Officer Maurice asked MacArthur a second time to step outside, to which MacArthur replied "why?" Maurice said he wanted to talk to him and there were too many people in the lobby for him to do so. MacArthur then suggested they could step to the side while remaining in the lobby to talk.

At that point, Officer Maurice handcuffed MacArthur and told him he was under arrest for disturbing the peace. It is interesting to note that on the charging the documents, the official charge is listed as trespassing. Trespassing in a public place no less.

While this sort of thing happens often in this city, it is not often we get to see video from a cell phone, of a journalist getting arrested simply for asking a question. This I suppose is the new strategy for fighting crime. Speaking about another incident Burns said “nuisance arrests” waste city resources that could be better used to fight violent crime.

Can anyone tell me where the life vests are? We're going down, and we're going down fast!

Troy Harris, spokesman for Baltimore City Police was contacted concerning this story, he declined to comment, stating that it is an open case and an ongoing investigation. Yeah, and I'm sure the investigation involves more police resources that could be better spent.

-- A big thank you to Adam Meister, from BaltimoreExaminer.com for helping with this story. We will continue to follow this with updates as needed.

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Researcher, independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20 years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by government officials under the guise of law enforcement. He's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media.
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Get Better Connected With Me

Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook,YouTube channel

Racial Profiling, Harassment, Threat & Intimidation By Baltimore Police

The message below, sent to Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld, of the Baltimore Police Department, details the most recent incident of officers violating my civil rights.  Copies were also sent to various media.
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To: Frederick H. Bealefeld III Commissioner, Baltimore Police Department

CC:  FBI, Honorable Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Baltimore City Council, Members Of Media

Civil Rights Advocacy Groups

Copies will also be sent via U.S. Postal Service

Commissioner Bealefeld,

I would like to draw your attention to an unfortunate incident regarding Officer K. Rodriguez and others, taking place in the Southern District.  Rodriguez was the primary antagonist, accompanied and assisted by Officer Perry.  Officer Rodriguez's conduct displayed a lack of good judgement, lack of common sense, and most distressingly, a fundamental lack of understanding of the constitutional and civil rights of a citizen and a member of the press.  His conduct also had a clear overtone of racial discrimination. 

A person behaving in such a way as was displayed by Rodriguez should not be allowed to serve the public and, presents a serious liability to the Baltimore Police Department, the City of Baltimore, and to the citizens of this city.

I have personally witnessed and been subject to a systematic, continuous, perilous pattern of harassment and routine violations of my constitutional and civil rights, by the Baltimore Police Department.  The purpose of this message is to bring to your full and complete awareness the most recent incident, ranking among the most egregious violations of my rights by members of this department (see 'Details Of Complaint' below) 

Being so informed, by allowing these actions to continue, you would be considered criminally compliant, by your inaction to prevent.

Pictured left to right, Larry "The Celebrity" Cab Driver,  Police  Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III, & the author.

As a well known, respected, highly popular figure on the local news scene, I deserve the ability to practice my craft, as a constitutionally protected activity, without unnecessary and undue harassment, and infringement by the Baltimore Police.

In the past, attempts to handle these matters at the district level, and even through internal affairs, have proven to be largely futile and wholly ineffective.  This is only the latest incident, in which your officers have singled me out while attempting to report the news, for a special brand of harassment and intimidation.  I was once even arrested for nothing other than refusing to put away my camera, while in a public space.  It is my fear that this situation will continue unabated until it rises to the level of someone getting hurt.  This of course is entirely unnecessary, and preventable, by action only you can take.  

Covering breaking news at a clandestine meth lab explosion.

A memorandum of understanding, increased training and awareness as to the rights and duties of the press in a free and democratic society seems in order for members of your department.  The willful and oppressive, intimidating, threatening actions of those sworn to protect and uphold the law will not be tolerated.

Commissioner, you must turn this around.  Your response and intended remedy to this most pressing matter is desired. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.  

Yours In Freedom And Truth

A.F. James MacArthur Ph.A.L.

Independent Investigative Journalist

Director

MacArthur Media International

Direct: 410-205-6397

Crime & Community Reporter

InvestigativeVoice.com

News & Commentary

1010 AM WOLB,

Larry Young Morning Show

Taxi Talk in The Afternoon

P.S. Having practiced journalism in various forms, for nearly 20 years, photographing and interviewing among others a wide array of politicians and elected officials, including  Presidents, senators, congressmen, local leaders and all manner of celebrities and popular figures, around the country and even overseas, covering all manner of breaking news and emergencies, no where have I experienced more issues of harassment and ill treatment by police, than in Baltimore City.

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DETAILS OF INCIDENT WITH OFFICER K. RODRIGUEZ, BALTIMORE POLICE DEPARTMENT

On the night of 4 September, 2011, shortly before midnight, I received information from a source there was a rescue underway for a person in the water near the Potee St./Hanover St. bridge, believed to be a suicide jumper.  As a member of media covering issues of public safety, I responded to the area in attempts at gathering information for a story.

Upon my arrival, there was no crime scene tape, or officers cordoning off an area.  I walked several hundred feet towards the center of the bridge where there was a large gathering of people. Among them were numerous civilians and members of both the Baltimore City Fire Dept. and the Baltimore Police. As I begin to walk around the perimeter of scene, taking wide angle photographs and making notes, the first person to acknowledged me was a uniformed, white shirted, commander of the Baltimore Police. I did not take note of his name, but he acknowledged me with a friendly smile, wave, head-nod and the words 'how you doing?'

Wearing a bright safety orange "incident vest" clearly displaying with large letters and the word "PRESS" along with my name, in addition to the camera hanging from my neck, there could be no mistaking who I was and my purpose for being there.

Several uniformed officers also acknowledged my presence in a friendly and courteous manner as did members of the Fire Dept.  It was not until I was seen by a sergeant, wearing no name tag on his uniform, did the troubles begin.

The sergeant immediately began to rudely and aggressively question me and told me I could not be there. Having been to literally hundreds of crime scenes over the years as a reporter, photojournalist or in some of other capacity, I found his actions to be quite strange and off putting, as I was not in physically in the way, or interfering with the ongoing search and rescue operations, nor was there any danger presented to myself by being there.

I politely identified myself as a member of media, and told him I was here to do a story, and that under the law my actions were permissible.  I asked if there was a designated area he would like me to stage in; he then continued to speak to me in a rude, aggressive and threatening manner stated I would be arrested if I did not leave immediately. He then signaled two officers towards me.

Immediately Officer Rodriguez rushed towards me reaching out with his hands as if to grab me, while Officer Perry backed him up displaying a pair of handcuffs. This action shocked me, as I was not aware of having committed any crime, and I felt the officers were about to falsely imprison me, then later articulate a conjured up reason as to justify an arrest.  This has been done before.

In a clear, stern voice, I informed the officers that I broke no law, and if any of them were to touch me, it would be a violation of my rights.  Rodriguez got within inches of my faces and began to address me in a very uncivil, ridiculing manner.  When he told me to "turn around and get out of here," I told him he was standing way too close to me, and I would never turn my back on someone acting in such a threatening manner. He then gestured as if to strike me or place hands on me again.  At this point, I told him his actions are unnecessary and uncalled for, I would be vacating the area, and if he should touch me, I would consider this an assault. 

Due to the immediate threat displayed by Rodriguez's and Perry's aggressive posture, I began to walk backwards off the bridge.  Fearing some sort of attack from the officers was imminent, I wanted to keep them within eyesight.  All the while,  other civilians on the bridge who happened to be white, did not have this sort of personalized police attention I was receiving.  The officers followed me for a distance of several hundred yards, well away from the scene of the incident.

Fearing for my safety, and believing the situation may escalate, as we were now a great distance away from the scene and supervisors.  I called 911, informed them of the threatening and harassing actions of the officers, and requested a supervisor respond to our location. I remained on the line so the operator could hear the commotion and interaction between Officer Rodriguez and myself. The 911 call lasted over 11 minutes, yet no supervisor ever showed.

At some point during the incident, being unable to gather information for my originally intended news story, I informed the officers they would now be my story, and I would be taking photographs and video of them, so their actions could be documented.  Officer Rodriguez began to violently protest, reaching out as if to grab my camera, then shielding his face, and continuing to threaten me, all the while advancing on me.

What was most disturbing is, while I willingly attempted to leave the scene, I see no reason why the officers felt it necessary to shadow me, essentially stalking and harassing me for several hundred feet.  The scene was that of a search and rescue, there was no danger posed my presence.  No possibility of gun fire, disturbing evidence, risk of explosion etc.

It is my belief that the sergeant and officers were hiding behind the badge, and using the guise of law to willfully and deliberately violate my freedom of the press among other civil rights, their threatening behavior not withstanding.  Judging by the fact of the white civilians in the same area not being harassed, it is also my belief, that the aggressive actions were precipitated by my being a black man, to which this department has a long, dark history, of unfair, illegal, violent and brutal actions, going against all form of decency and human rights.

Incidentally, the entire time, personnel on the bridge, in addition to the FoxTrot Unit (police helicopter), were searching and scanning the area with spotlights, looking for the victim.  Officers Rodriguez and Perry were not helpful in this, as they spent an inordinate amount of time, a great distance away from the scene, while harassing me.  That night the victim was never found.  Two days later, a body was found floating in the immediate vicinity, all evidence indicates this was the body of the person being searched for on the night of the incident.  

Perhaps a rescue might have been effected, while the individual was still alive, were resources more fully and appropriately applied to the situation.

SPIES AMONG US! -- O'Malley Promises To Stop Spying

Brushing aside assurances from the Maryland State Police that troopers will never again secretly monitor and collect information on peaceful protest groups, state lawmakers and Gov. Martin O'Malley's administration are moving ahead with a plan to outlaw such tactics and will push for legislative action at hearings today.

Edward T. Norris, who preceded Hutchins as state police superintendent, said intelligence gathering is "a specific art" but said the homeland security division that he started shortly after Sept. 11, 2001, "never would have been interested in the kinds of things they were looking at" under Hutchins.

Baltimore's quirky little alternative daily and defacto O'Malley PR office has more.

SPECIAL MESSAGE TO ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT/INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES

Yes, you're powerful. Sure, you're everywhere. But this is still America, and the Constitution of the United States Of America still reigns supreme as the law of the land. The Baltimore Spectator will vigorously and aggressively defend against any and all attempts at spying and suppression. Let it be known to all that we are already aware of the regular monitoring and shadowing attempts. There is nothing to hide, but cross the line and there will be hell to pay.

In the end, efforts to impinge upon the freedoms of the people will ultimately fail. Some of us may get taken out in the ongoing battle for true and lasting freedom, but as I've said many times before, and will say till the day I die or get taken out by you goons, THERE ARE MORE OF US, THAN THERE ARE OF YOU.


A.F. James MacArthur -- American patriot & lover of liberty.

Death Penalty Fraud -- O'Malleys Deception

Martin O’Malley said he would do “everything in my power” to overturn the death penalty in Maryland

Governor Martin O'Malley's hand in hand, sing along, cumbyah march against the death penalty was nothing but a big fraud. O'Malley's popularity continues to wane and he needs to drum up whatever distraction and misdirection he can. The man is a master at media manipulation. He plays tricks and creates diversions and the whole main stream follows along.

Come on Governor, seriously, is the death penalty truly that big of an issue right now? When was the last execution in Maryland? You mean you're such a caring compassionate man that you marched in the streets for the handful of people on death row? The same ones that you as Governor can easily pardon.

Governor O'Malley's March (the demonstration, not the corny Celtic rock band he's in) was nothing but a joke. At a time when the state of Maryland faces more crises than any other time since we were being invaded by the British, all I can do is sit back and laugh at the phony compassion. Putting outward form, before truly responsible action is a disservice to the people of Maryland.

Considering the thousands of innocent people falsely arrested in Baltimore under O'Malley's "zero tolerance" policy as mayor, and his total refusal to discuss this. O'Malley clearly lacks compassion no matter how much he tries to resemble, if only temporarily, a 60's era civil rights leader. The Governor should spend his time on issues that are more pressing and impacting to the majority of Marylanders.

Leave Your Comment


FEATURED COMMENT: James Greene

O'Malley has demonstrated time and time again that he has no regard for human life particularly when it comes to blacks. His deficient, self-serving, arrest everyone in sight, policing policies in Baltimore City destroyed thousands of lives, through illegal arrests and by permiting the most dangerous, violent, criminals, to remain on the streets, in an effort to control the stats and cook the books. All to make himself look good at any cost. Why? Many ask why and how this amoral, incompetent, individual was able to win the office of governor when he was the worst mayor in the history of Baltimore City. Answer. The lives he destroyed were black, and mostly poor. Who cares, right? Certainly not black voters who will vote for ANY democrat even a Martin O'Malley who gave them NOTHING as mayor except a useless, hollow, message to BELIEVE in nothing.




Related:

Governor O'Malley In Trouble -- Could Lose Big!

The Governor Hates Me! -- Original Video

FLASHBACK: Majority Democrat Maryland Rates O'Malley Lower Than Bush

Early Election Campaign?

Baltimore State Of The City -- Reality Check Version -- What's Up Baltimore from MacArthur Media

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SHOCKING: Police Performed Public Body Cavity Search, Man Sues

Band of rogue cops held man at gunpoint in the street, stripped him and searched his rectum in front of about 30 onlookers, man claims.

Baltimore Journalist Arrested For Questioning Official

In a city riddled with allegations of government corruption, widespread incompetence, and an out of control crime problem, some police officers apparently have taken a novel approach to restoring peace and order to the slowly sinking ship that is Baltimore City; arrest law abiding citizens who aren't actually committing crimes. That way, when asked what is being done, they can point to numbers that don't tell the real story, then point out how many arrests have been made.

Remember how on the Titanic the musicians continued to play even as water filled the cabins and half the decks were already underwater? Well, in Baltimore the situation is similar. The truth is, things are far worse than anyone is willing to talk about, but meanwhile the masses live in a state of addled apathy.

“There are thousand of cases like this being thrown out every month, ...In the month of February, we threw out 902 cases; in March, we threw out over 1,200 cases — that means 70 cases a day.” -- Margaret Burns, spokeswoman for the State’s Attorney’s Office

Baltimore Police have a history of locking folks up, just because. Sometimes merely asking a question of of an officer can land you in jail. Don't believe me, just check out this story from The Baltimore Examiner in 2006. In that story, a young couple, visiting from out of town was arrested for asking a cop for directions. Talk about rolling out the welcome mat. I wish I could tell you that this practice has stopped, but sadly, it is still going on, and apparently with a great degree of frequency.

"I Can Send Anyone To Prison Just Because I Don't Like Them"

Allow me to tell you the story of one James MacArthur. As a part time journalist with years of experience and a broad body of work in several fields, he is always on the lookout for story ideas. After learning his car was impounded and a trip to the Baltimore City impound lot would be necessary, he thought it would be a perfect chance for a story. After all this place is well known for lousy customer service. Of course, what he didn't know was, asking questions of Baltimore public officials is a jailable offense.

Never mind the First Amendment or anything like that, no, this is Baltimore City remember? It's the impound lot. The same place that is under ongoing investigation for all kinds of criminal activity. This place has been abusing the people of Baltimore for years. Thieves, liars and rude are just a few of the words that can be used to describe some of the folks working there.

Customer Service, Charm City Style

On 29 December 2008, MacArthur went to the impound lot for the purpose of retrieving his car. He felt the car was wrongfully impounded, and decided to document his experience for a future story. In the parking lot, while sitting in a car, using a cell phone camera, MacArthur began narrating.

Continuing to film,he walked into the lobby and was immediately met with loud protests from impound lot staff telling him he was not allowed to tape inside. MacArthur advised them he was an investigative journalist, and he was simply doing a story on Baltimore City government customer service. A staff member asked him for his name and contact information. MacArthur complied, giving them his cell phone number, and then took a number from a wall mounted dispenser, to be placed in que for customer service.

Waiting for his number to be called, he said there were several patrons in the lobby, some of them quite vocally agitated by the experience of dealing with the place. He told them he was a reporter and if they wanted to talk to him and share their experience, he'd be glad to meet them outside.

Suddenly a man from behind the counter came out and angrily confronted him. Never identifing himself as management, or an employee for that matter, and standing merely inches from MacArthur, he asked if there was a problem. Not knowing who the individual was, MacArthur asked him if he could identify himself. The man walked away disappearing back into the office.

At this point, MacArthur said he was there for no more than 5 minutes when his phone rang. On the line was Adrienne Barnes, Director of Communications for the Department Of Transportation, which the lot falls under. According to MacArthur, Barnes asked what was going on, and who he was working for. He told her he was doing a piece on customer service. She then asked how much longer he would be there taping, to which he replied, 10 minutes or so. Barnes said that would be fine, but the employees were kind of nervous and in the future she would appreciate being contacted in advance. MacArthur then told her, that as an investigative journalist, he prefers to show up unannounced, after all, it was a public building.

“Somewhere within the Police Department there is a policy or directive to increase the number of arrests..." -- Margaret Burns, spokeswoman for the State’s Attorney’s Office

While standing outside near the entrance, still on the phone with Barnes, four officers, one with a nightstick in his hand, marched past MacArthur and went inside. MacArthur ended the call with Barnes telling her the were police on scene. He then went back into the building at which point the officers immediately surrounded him. The lead officer, identified as Officer Michael Maurice, of the Baltimore Police asked him to step outside. MacArthur says he feared going outside with the four officers. Their aggressive posture and demeanor made him feel that he was in danger of bodily harm and therefore, would only be safe if he remained in view of other people.

Don't You Dare Question Me

Officer Maurice asked MacArthur a second time to step outside, to which MacArthur replied "why?" Maurice said he wanted to talk to him and there were too many people in the lobby for him to do so. MacArthur then suggested they could step to the side while remaining in the lobby to talk.

At that point, Officer Maurice handcuffed MacArthur and told him he was under arrest for disturbing the peace. It is interesting to note that on the charging the documents, the official charge is listed as trespassing. Trespassing in a public place no less.

While this sort of thing happens often in this city, it is not often we get to see video from a cell phone, of a journalist getting arrested simply for asking a question. This I suppose is the new strategy for fighting crime. Speaking about another incident Burns said “nuisance arrests” waste city resources that could be better used to fight violent crime.

Can anyone tell me where the life vests are? We're going down, and we're going down fast!

Troy Harris, spokesman for Baltimore City Police was contacted concerning this story, he declined to comment, stating that it is an open case and an ongoing investigation. Yeah, and I'm sure the investigation involves more police resources that could be better spent.

-- A big thank you to Adam Meister, from BaltimoreExaminer.com for helping with this story. We will continue to follow this with updates as needed.

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Researcher, independent investigative journalist, and entrepreneur, A.F. James MacArthur has been a member of the underground news network for over 20 years. During this time, he's been a frequent subject of attack by government officials under the guise of law enforcement. He's often boycotted from being given any credit for his work by mainstream media.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Get Better Connected With Me

Email MacArthurMedia@gmail.com, @BaltoSpectator on twitter, Spreaker web radio, BlogTalk Radio, Baltimore Spectator on Facebook,YouTube channel