I was looking for a place to put this, just to make sure somebody records it as "
prior art".
Every vehicle and potentially non-vehicle items, should be capable of
transmitting fail-safe video uploads to a public server. That server
should receive video which is made public at any instance where, after a
pre-set time, if a password is not entered, the site will automatically
make it public.
As an example, many if not most cars would have
at least four cameras which constantly record audio and video which are
constantly uploaded to a internet server. That video remains private so
long as a password is entered at an appropriate time, but becomes public
if it is not. Non-public video is available with the password for
download for a specific period of time then deleted by the host. If you
forget your password, or deliberately pick an invisible password, your
video becomes public without any interaction on your part. Every
dangerous driving episode you witness is potentially evidence against
the perpetrator, but so is every interaction you have with anybody,
police included.
Here's how I imagine a hypothetical routine traffic stop proceeding in one of two ways, Scenario One:
Officer: License and registration please.
Driver:
Here you are officer, and though it may be legal not to, as a courtesy,
I would like to draw your attention to the "Ever Vigilant" stickers on
my car. These stickers indicate the cameras which record all activity in
the vicinity of my car. My interactions with law enforcement have
always been good, and I expect this record to show the same.
Officer: This is not a public record and I'm giving you a lawful order to desist recording now.
Driver:
I do not have the ability to cease recording and the legal rights to do
so are defended by the "Ever Vigilant" corporation, but I will gladly
comply with any lawful requests that I can. As you can see, I'm reading
from the script provided on the sticker on my dashboard.
Officer:
Thank you for making the situation clear. I am now ordering you to leave
your vehicle and accompany me to my patrol car.
Driver: As advised
by "Ever Vigilant" I will do so but must ask, is there a reason you
cannot continue providing the public service you provide within the
scope of the recording devices provided by "Ever Vigilant" equipment?
Officer: Leave your vehicle now.
...(time passes)
Jury: We find the officer guilty of the following offences...
Scenario two:
Officer: License and registration please.
Driver:
Here you are officer, and though it may be legal not to, as a courtesy,
I would like to draw your attention to the "Ever Vigilant" stickers on
my car. These stickers indicate the cameras which record all activity in
the vicinity of my car. My interactions with law enforcement have
always been good, and I expect this record to show the same.
Officer:
Thank you for saying so, but officers of Dallas County are trained to
notice such things, and of course consent even if not legally required
to recordings. Thank you for your license and registration, do you know
why I pulled you over today?
Driver: You're welcome, but I don't know why you pulled me over.
Officer:
Our radar equipment recorded you exceeding the speed limit, is there an
emergency which would require you to exceed the speed limit today?
Driver:
I wasn't aware that I was breaking any laws, but I hope that the "Ever
Vigilant" software will show that I was following a reasonable
application of the law. (You may note that I'm reading a sticker on my dashboard as recommended by "Ever Vigilant.")
Officer: I see that, please wait in your car.
...(time passes)
(non-contest
plea, video public, and don't laugh, I personally appreciate obvious
courtesy and training even if guilty of an offence)
Commanding
officer: ... and as shown by Ever Vigilant surveillance recordings
presented by a stopped speeder, courtesy becoming an officer of the law,
recommend this officer for promotion.
Every public interaction
would potentially be public video record, presented without interruption
by a third party. Bicycle helmets, backpacks, even strollers would
present the "Ever Vigilant" sticker. In reality, the google search I did
for "Ever Vigilant" came up with a website unrelated to the examples
given, and I don't know of anybody offering this service, but I think
someone should and I think it should be common. At the very least, it
would move the conflict from an individual accused of wrongdoing vs.
officer of the law, to third party vs. whomever with potential
substantial legal representation.