Providence's John Prince Alleges Police Unlawfully Confiscated Phone During Videotaping
GoLocalProv News Team
Providence's John Prince Alleges Police Unlawfully Confiscated Phone During Videotaping
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Prince, a community organizer, spoke with about 15 supporters behind him at the Providence Safety Complex, before going in to testify at an internal affairs hearing Monday afternoon.
Calling it a "modern day house invasion," Prince spoke to what he said which involved officers "taking my phone, apprehending me in my own hallways, without being arrested, for no reason."
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAccording to Prince, who is being represented by Shannah Kurland, the incident took place on Wednesday, September 10, at 265 Elmwood Avenue. Kurland cited "important cases affirming the public's right to videotape" including Glik v. Cunniffe (1st Cir. 2011) and Gericke v. Begin (1st Cir. 2014).
Organizers Back Prince, Cite Ferguson
Prince said that he was taping officers "confronting two women" on a street corner by his house, before he was confronted by the officers, and pursued back to his house, where he said the phone was taken in a struggle in his hallway -- and the video deleted. Prince named Sgt. Roger Aspinali, Det. Francisco Guerra, and Det. Louis Gianfrancesco in his complaint.
Read Testimony (Page one, page two).
Community organizer Mary Kay Harris, who was recently elected to the Providence City Council, was one of the supporters who spoke out Monday for Prince.
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Kurland noted that a verdict was not expected on Tuesday in Prince's complaint.
Mt. Hope Neighborhood Association Executive Director Ray Watson drew parallels on Monday afternoon to Ferguson, which was still awaiting a verdict at the time of the rally.
Watson noted the recent actions in Providence by law enforcement officials concerned about reaction to the Ferguson verdict, and how to respond.
"We just asked they be professional and responsible, whether they agree how we're demonstrating whether we're videotaping with what we're doing our not," said Watson. "If we're not doing anything illegally, then you don't have any right to step beyond your boundaries.
Police Militarization - Department by Department Breakdown
Woonsocket
Items Purchased: 3
Summary of Equipment: Dump truck (1 unit), Snow plow plade (1 unit), Truck and tractor attachments (1 unit)
West Warwick
Items Purchased: 5
Summary of Equipment: Shotgun barrel (1 unit), Immersion suit (1 unit, can be used for underwater operations)
East Providence
Items Purchased: 10
Summary of Equipment: Radio sets (4 units), Miscellaneous vehicle parts (6 total units)
Scituate
Items Purchased: 12
Summary of Equipment: M84 charging handle (8 units, is part of a rifle)
Smithfield
Items Purchased: 15
Summary of Equipment: Small arms sling swivel (10 units), Optical reflex units (5 units)
Newport
Items Purchased: 17
Summary of Equipment: Digital computer systems (3 units), Flat panel monitors (10 units)
Barrington
Items Purchased: 43
Summary of Equipment: Binoculars (5 units), Ballistic protective spectacles (25 units), Sight mount (5 units)
Photo credit: Stanislas PERRIN
Cranston
Items Purchased: 49
Summary of Equipment: Armor Plate (1 unit), Survival vest pocksts (30 units)
Glocester
Items Purchased: 70
Summary of Equipment: High capacity rifle magazines (12 units), Ammunition-carrying vests (4 units), Ballistic protective spectacles (20 units)
North Kingstown
Items Purchased: 72
Summary of Equipment: High capacity rifle magazines (27 units), Small arms storage rack (5 units), Satellite systems navigation set (4 units)
East Greenwich
Items Purchased: 99
Summary of Equipment: Binoculars (10 units), Ballistic and laser protective spectacles (53 units), Ballistic protective spectables (30 unites)
Hopkinton
Items Purchased: 100
Summary of Equipment: High capacity rifle magazines (100 units)
Foster
Items Purchased: 257
Summary of Equipment: Ballistic and laser protective spectacles (6 units), Rifle bipods (10 units), Field pack (10 units, designed for clothing rations, and additional items like ammunition), Passenger motor vehicles (3 units)
Coventry
Items Purchased: 1,604
Summary of Equipment: HMMWV (Humvee) M1165 Assembly Kit (2 units), Gun magazines (432 units), Night vision face masks (8 units), Gun silencers (54), Small arms sight mounts (6 units)
Johnston
Items Purchased: 2,389
Summary of Equipment: Armor plates (30 units), Demolition firing device (1 unit), Improvised Explosive Device training it (9 units), High capacity rifle magazines (599 units), Chemical protective suit (1 unit), High-speed tractor (1 unit), Diesel generators (2 units), Flat panel monitors (21 units)
