Body Cams: Officer Accountability? Or Infringement of Citizen Rights?
We also discuss why Lady Gaga is smiling, how to walk your dog, and why flowers are a terrible gift. Expected read time: Less than 4 minutes.
Footage Release Delayed
A North Carolina judge has delayed the release of bodycam footage of the Andrew Brown Jr. case to the media. Brown was shot and killed by deputies last month in Elizabeth City. The judge ruled:
“The release at this time would create a serious threat to the fair, impartial and orderly administration of justice”.
The video will be released within 30-45 days as the investigation continues to unfold.
Are Body Cams a Trojan Horse?
The Brown case has reignited the conversation about body cams. Their implementation and the impact they have on the justice system are once again being analyzed. Many assume body cams help keep law enforcement accountable for their actions. However, in their current implementation, data suggests that's not always the case. 🤔
One study found that 92% of jurisdictions with body cams have used the footage to prosecute private citizens 👩⚖️. While just 8% of them have used them to prosecute police officers. In other words, the majority of body cam footage has been used in cases against citizens, not to keep officers accountable.
Many police departments make officers responsible for deciding when to turn on their recording devices. This leaves gaps for officers to forget to turn on their cameras. Many also argue this policy creates opportunities for a maliciously intended officer to intentionally turn off the recording during a citizen interaction.
Those concerned with constitutional privacy concerns see body cams as a trojan horse🐴. They recognize law enforcement accountability as a novel cause, but they also argue it is a slippery slope towards constant citizen surveillance.
Are you in favor of body cams? Do you think there are unintended consequences? Let us know below in the comments 👇
Thieves Go Gaga Over Lady Gaga’s Missing Dog Reward 🤑
This past February, Lady Gaga’s French Bulldogs Koji and Gustav were stolen in an armed robbery🐕. The thieves shot Ryan Fischer, Gaga’s dog walker 4 times after a struggle for the dogs. Thankfully Mr. Fischer is expected to make a full recovery 🙏.
In a desperate plea for her beloved dogs, Gaga offered a $500,000 reward for anyone to return them. No questions asked💵.
Shortly after that hefty reward was posted, Jennifer McBride brought the dogs to an LAPD station. She claimed she found the dogs abandoned in an alley🏙. The good samaritan quickly turned into a suspect and was arrested last week🚨.
A total of 5 people have been arrested. Mcbride is not believed to have been present during the shooting, however, she is being charged as an accessory to attempted murder for her alleged part in the plot. French Bulldogs are one of the most popular and expensive dog breeds, averaging $4,000 a sale with prices increasing. 💰
Many attribute the increase in dog values to the increase in working from home. Those who previously thought they had no time for a pet had their minds changed from quarantine Thieves are trying to cash in on the demand, as dog theft has increased 250% year over year📈.
Mothers Day is this Sunday… 😧
and we are sure it hasn't snuck up on you. 😶
On the off chance it has, Guard Dog has your back! And not in the tired traditional sense. As the old saying goes, traditions are better left broken.
Flowers are predictable, stagnant, and short-lasting 🥱. Pepper spray leaves your mother feeling safe, protected, and empowered 💪! Skip the flowers and save 15% on pepper spray 😎
Dog Walking Safety
When walking your dog, it’s important to take into account the safety of both your dog and yourself🐶. 15% of dog owners have lost a dog😥, and last year saw a 14% increase in aggravated assaults. We break down how to make your next dog walk a safer one:
🐕🦺Get an ID tag: in the event, your dog escapes your grasp. This exponentially helps your chances of retrieving them. A microchip is an additional layer of identification as well.
🔦Bring a stun gun flashlight: A stun gun flashlight solves two problems. First, it increases visibility for you/to you. Second, it is a great defense mechanism to scare off criminals who could target you for a crime.
🗺Plan your route: When you know where you are going, you are less likely to wander into an area where crime is more likely to occur. Familiarity will also relax your dog.
📵Stay off your phone: When you are distracted, you are much more likely to be a target of a crime. Use the walk to enjoy a screen break with your pup.