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More Police Spying in Fresno?
Contradictory statements by Fresno Police suggest local cops are busy spying on film makers connected to the hip-hop scene
There's been quite a furor over "Fresno Uncensored"!
The DVD depicted what local police described as "known and validated" gang members displaying weapons, a large pot grow operation, and other activities in the city's south side neighborhoods. Representatives from Mainline and Mad Era Films and Productions say the DVD was made to showcase the area's hip hop talent.
When the story broke on Wednesday, a police spokesman told the media that an off-duty officer had seen the DVD on sale in a local video store and alerted his co-workers.
A day later, Fresno's police chief gave an entirely different version. Chief Dyer told the media that officers had been evaluating the DVD before it had gone on sale with an eye towards prosecuting anyone shown on it.
Dyer's statement raises an interesting question. First the police say they weren't aware of "Fresno Uncensored" until it was already on sale. Then, the chief says they were looking at the content before it hit the stores. How did the police get it?
The police chief describes the DVD as a "slap in the face of the community." A prominent criminal defense attorney (Ernest Kinney) told Channel 30 News he would not represent anyone connected with the DVD--he feels it is undeserving of First Amendment protections. Kinney said the DVD "appeals to purient interests" and is obscene material.
Relations between local authorities and the hip hop community have been strained for years. Hip hoppers claim the Clovis police targeted a popular dance club in Old Town Clovis last year because of the music the DJs played. The Clovis city council voted to revoke The Cellar's dance permit. Hip hoppers say any venue playing their music gets an inordinant amount of attention from police.
The DVD depicted what local police described as "known and validated" gang members displaying weapons, a large pot grow operation, and other activities in the city's south side neighborhoods. Representatives from Mainline and Mad Era Films and Productions say the DVD was made to showcase the area's hip hop talent.
When the story broke on Wednesday, a police spokesman told the media that an off-duty officer had seen the DVD on sale in a local video store and alerted his co-workers.
A day later, Fresno's police chief gave an entirely different version. Chief Dyer told the media that officers had been evaluating the DVD before it had gone on sale with an eye towards prosecuting anyone shown on it.
Dyer's statement raises an interesting question. First the police say they weren't aware of "Fresno Uncensored" until it was already on sale. Then, the chief says they were looking at the content before it hit the stores. How did the police get it?
The police chief describes the DVD as a "slap in the face of the community." A prominent criminal defense attorney (Ernest Kinney) told Channel 30 News he would not represent anyone connected with the DVD--he feels it is undeserving of First Amendment protections. Kinney said the DVD "appeals to purient interests" and is obscene material.
Relations between local authorities and the hip hop community have been strained for years. Hip hoppers claim the Clovis police targeted a popular dance club in Old Town Clovis last year because of the music the DJs played. The Clovis city council voted to revoke The Cellar's dance permit. Hip hoppers say any venue playing their music gets an inordinant amount of attention from police.
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Everyone knows how utterly Useless Police are anyway.
But I dont care, the population needs some comic releif on the streets
anyway.
Maybe the teens and children’s are amused by it but they do need to understand that it’s not fun and games when it comes into your home or when you become the victim.
You must live and learn from others mistake. But if you choose to follow then your
Only asking to end up the same way they did in JAIL!
Fresno can be a fine city to live in if so many was not tempted to live that sort of life style. Understand they wanting of fear in others eyes when you come around but is it really worth it. Everyone needs to ask themselves that question before blaming the Fresno Policy for something there jobs required by arresting the CRIMNALS.
Maybe the teens and children’s are amused by it but they do need to understand that it’s not fun and games when it comes into your home or when you become the victim.
You must live and learn from others mistake. But if you choose to follow then your
Only asking to end up the same way they did in JAIL!
Fresno can be a fine city to live in if so many was not tempted to live that sort of life style. Understand they wanting of fear in others eyes when you come around but is it really worth it. Everyone needs to ask themselves that question before blaming the Fresno Policy for something there jobs required by arresting the CRIMNALS.
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