Florida City Creates Recording Policy Against First Amendment Auditors

The city of DeLand has a new policy that says you cannot record videos or audio inside the police department’s lobby.

The city commission voted on a new rule this week because there have been more incidents involving “First Amendment auditors.” These are people who exercise their right to record videos in public places.

The city informed News 6 that numerous residents visit the lobby to talk to DeLand police about a crime or to file a report. Although they may be directed to a different room to discuss the details, they are required to inform the receptionists about the purpose of their visit.

The city has stated that a few “auditors” have been secretly recording certain conversations in the lobby. News 6 received a surveillance video from the police. In the video, a man is seen standing near the receptionist’s window while a resident tries to approach.

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The resident became frustrated and knocked over the camera of the “auditor”. “I was actually there to make a public records request,” said Steven Sanders, the person seen in the video referred to as the “auditor.” “I wanted to record continuously in case something was missed.”

The city stated that although the public is allowed to record in public areas, there should be a consideration for privacy when residents are reporting sensitive issues.

“Even though they may not be specifically paying attention to that person, the video is capturing their interaction and conversation,” explained city spokesperson Chris Graham. “People who have been victims of crimes, such as sexual assault, or those who have witnessed a crime, are coming to our office to report these incidents to our officers.” They believe that their privacy should be respected.

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There are people who are resisting this policy. News 6 interviewed Bobby Block, who is the executive director of the First Amendment Foundation in Tallahassee.

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