Atlanta TV crew arrested for filming inside city hall

January 10, 2009 @ 9:54AM

Atlanta TV crew arrested for filming inside city hall

By Carlos Miller -...

atlantanewcrew1

A TV news reporter and videographer were handcuffed and detained for more than an hour while covering a story in the lobby of Atlanta City Hall, which is public property.

CBS 46 News videographer Jeff Thorn and reporter Renee Starzyk were working on a story about water rates when they walked inside city hall and began filming and interviewing people paying their water bills.

Atlanta police officer E.R. Murray, who allowed them into city hall, demanded they stop filming (click for story and for raw video).

“I need you to leave,” said Officer E.R. Murray.

They made a few phone calls demanding to know why police were throwing them out.

Thorn and Starzyk moved out of the water department area and began shooting video in the lobby, also a public area.

“You’re in a secure area. You need to go outside,” said Murray.

Officer Murray then grabbed the camera.

“Renee, grab my camera or he’s going to break it,” said Thorn.

“What have we done wrong officer,” asked Starzyk.

Officer Murray replied, “Obstruction.

“Officer Murray slapped handcuffs on both of them and told them that they were under arrest, and for no apparent reason.

More than an hour later, the journalists were released with no charges against them and an apology from the police department and the mayor’s office.

“It’s a terrible misunderstanding. We apologize. We will resolve this matter with our staff. Where the public goes the media can go,” said Chief of Staff Greg Pridgeon..

Now police have assured CBS 46 that they will investigate whether Murray violated the law. Sure they will.

Comments

Anonymous

3 years ago

aah, to quote eddy murphy in 48 hours…

Anonymous

3 years ago

Well at least the police issued an apology. It’s more than other departments have done in the past.

Anonymous

3 years ago

Which quote, Bulldog?

Scott,

I think in this case, the PD was pressured by the mayor.

hal

4 months ago

badge goes the the head, a bullet will follow,...got to love it! not sure what that means, but i am sure the piggies know! so thats all that matters, right?

Anonymous

3 years ago

due to modern day “pc” i must take the 5th…but my point is that the guy was a power hungry ameba! i’m sure thats the first time he ever used his “adam 12″ police goodies that he got on ebay!

Anonymous

3 years ago

Bulldog,

You don’t have to worry about modern-day PC on this blog. I rarely delete comments.

Anonymous

3 years ago

Not surprised. I am surprised at swift apology from Mayor and PD.

Anonymous

3 years ago

Jeremy,

I think it’s cool that another videographer showed up quick enough to capture the arrest.

Anonymous

3 years ago

Big embarrassment to the Mayor and Police Department, methinks. They clearly blew it. I loved that another photographer was able to photograph them in cuffs … :~)

Anonymous

3 years ago

If anybody was “obstructing”, it was the cop.

Anonymous

3 years ago

lol, yeah cause this is going to get a lot of mainstream coverage.

Good catch, though, carlos.

Anonymous

3 years ago

What BS. He arrest the crew for “obstruction”, but doesn’t say boo to the photog shooting the arrested crew!

Anonymous

2 years ago

I work with some of these Thugs when they come to court and the things they say is crazy to say the least. But me, the Devil Avocate, does not have a problem with reminding some of them that it is NOT my or anyone else’s duty to save them. If they get shot, I don’t even have to give you a bandaid, much less call for help. Like I told one cop, you may arrested a hundred people in his short career and only remember maybe fifteen BUT EACH ONE of those people are going to remember him and what he looks like. A very sobering thought. Just because you are a cop does not give you the right to be a jerk because if that badge goes to the head the bullet will follow.