A recent arrest has generated interest from individuals outside our community. In the interest of keeping the community informed, the Gilroy Police Department would like to provide the following information:
On August 30, 2018, at approximately 3:50 p.m., a uniformed Gilroy Police Officer observed a 45-year-old man from Southern California filming access points to the Gilroy Police Department to include areas not generally frequented by members of the public. Of additional concern, he was filming citizens coming and going from the building including automobiles and license plates. Of increasing concern, this individual refused to identify himself or his intentions.
This individual has no known ties to our community and based on our investigation, he has engaged in similar behavior in other communities. This type of pre-planned behavior is consistent with organizations that attempt to create controversy with law enforcement agencies.
Gilroy Police Department’s primary concern is the safety of our citizens. Making law-abiding citizens feel intimidated and threatened may be deemed suspicious behavior in any public area. Police officers may be routinely video recorded by members of the community while performing their assigned duties, which is a protected constitutional right; however, the video recording of law-abiding citizens in their private automobiles, including license plates, could be considered threatening behavior which is not protected by the First Amendment.
