Arrested Development

I just read of another photographer arrested by police. It seems as if this happens more often than I've noticed it in the past and, while it's entirely possible some photographers may have brought in on themselves, the quantity of these confrontations and arrests, lead me to believe that not all arrests are justified.

The last eight years of the present Republican administration brought forth new policies and laws that have, as a consequence, reduced the rights of this government's citizens. From the formation of Homeland Security (which sounds Orwellian in its context), to the government's obsession with eavesdropping on, what used to be, innocent communications, we've found ourselves looking over our shoulder and shuddering at the thought of a tipping point, into a type of big brother government.

I posit the aggressive tactics of the police, over the last few years, are a part of a shift away from a citizen government (...by the people, for the people...) towards one where we not only have to look out for the criminals, but also keep one eye out for municipal government police, hiding behind their shields, to thwart any repercussions for their questionable behavior.

Last week, with the election of a new President, one who, at least outwardly, talks of "change", a movement towards civility, and, as in his election evening speech, wants to make the his new administration inclusive, rather than the us vs. them approach of the current, may, by it's very nature, should it come to pass, return to a time when parents, even those that are photographers, can see these protectors of society as heroes and not possible adversaries.

If, in fact, the aggressive nature of some of the police today is a part of the Bush administration's constant erosion of citizen's rights, then I can only hope the new Obama administration works to restore them, thereby helping to build mutual trust between law enforcement and photographers.