Film A Florida Farm And Get A Citation

Hey did you hear about a state senator that is going to propose legislation, again, to ban people from taking audio, video, or still images of farm operations without farm owner consent.  Yep, SB 1184 comes back for a redo in 2012.  So you have to ask yourself why is this senator pushing so hard for this kind of legislation.

Aren't audio and video recording cameras a good thing?  This senate bill seems confusing since it seems like every cash strapped town in Florida is putting a camera on a pole at an intersection, for uhm, safety right?  There's even a local sheriff who put a camera on a pole to find out what kind of customers visit a local business.

The City of Tampa is talking about how much money to spend to put cameras on poles so it can host the Republican National Convention in 2012.  The Real ID Act of 2005 requires that a camera profile your face for your new driver's license or Florida identification card.  When you use your ATM card, go to almost any public building, shop at any store, or visit many entertainment venues you are being recorded by a video capturing device. 

For folks living in the big city, smile, as you are on a camera more than 50 times per day.  Hanging out in your backyard you better keep smiling because satellites, drones, aircraft or balloons can easily see what you are up to.  Where's the law for this kind of snooping surveillance?

Is no one interested in protecting you from these unseen prying eyes?  Well apparently this senator maybe turning the tide and is working to make small changes.  There seems to be a secret message here and it is "get your backyard grapefruit, orange or tomato garden going."

If you get your backyard farm going the good senator has found a small sliver of an opening to help regain some of your privacy.  Somehow he has found a loophole and wants to capitalize on this for your protection but you have to grow or produce something.  The proposed law won't help you with the sheriff since there is a government agency exemption so keep it legal. 

Once you have your "farm" going just imagine the pleasure you'll get when you call the police to have an annoying acquaintance or relative arrested for taking pictures.  Birthday parties, picnics, and other get togethers won't be subject to snap happy Uncle Bert anymore cause you'll have the law on your side to stop that nonsense.  When that Google Maps car goes down your street taking pictures, you'll be thanking this senator for concocting this law and seeing the culprit apprehended and charged with violating the law.

Aerial photographers, Zillow, mortgage bankers, and friends of Rupert Murdoch better not unholster your camera near this "farm" cause SB 1184 has a citation waiting for you.  Yes sir finally a law that makes sense and restores privacy where it should be, on the farm.

Thank you good senator because that is the message you are saying with SB 1184, right?

Contact us to find out more about the Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition.  You can comment about this blog below or you can take this to our forum.

Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition