During times as these when you really can’t guess what will happen next, it is good to review the basic rules and laws you may need to comply with to not get arrested. This applies to the public in general, but as news reporters it is also important for us.

Many of our staff have never been in the middle of a protest, riot or armed confrontation. Television would have you believe that we are all so driven to get the story that we throw caution to the wind and barrel forward despite possible danger and legalities. First and foremost, for anyone working for us, is the directive to be safe. There is no story out there worth having a funeral for because we tried to cover it. Second, don’t put anyone else in danger, including law enforcement, because we want a story.

We seldom have problems with police or fire departments because we try to be respectful and follow as many of their rules as possible. Yes, there have been occasions when a person in charge at an accident, fire or crime scene has gone above the authority they have to control us, but we try to work within the requests or orders they give us. One of the worst-case scenarios was a reporter, still in his first week of employment with us, was confronted by an official and had his notes at an accident scene taken from him. He was shaken up when he had to call and explain this to his boss.

Unless you have been locked away somewhere for the past week, you know there have been protests and riots all over the country in big cities and small towns. We were so dishonored as to have our own little mess here in Butler. But the night before Butler’s protest, Pittsburgh erupted in a riot complete with fires, massive damage and looting. We had boots on the ground, as they say, with reporters and photographers representing our Pittsburgh City Paper publication and the Butler Eagle. It was a dangerous situation and a few television reporters were injured by protesters who didn’t want to be filmed; probably because they didn’t want to be identified later and charged with possible crimes. Sunday wasn’t nearly as scary, but at any given moment that could have changed if law enforcement had lost control of the activities of the protesters.

The state and federal government provide us with basic guidelines meant to keep us safe and also out of jail. We have a First Amendment right to cover such a protest. We have a constitutional right to gather and disseminate news on public property. The government can place reasonable restrictions on such things, but its ability to do that also comes with restrictions. Mainly, it can’t be for political reasons or to punish us for previous coverage. We have, as does the public, the right to record law enforcement unless they have a reasonable expectation not to be recorded. Law enforcement cannot confiscate or search our equipment or our notes unless they have reason to think a crime is being committed. We always try to make sure law enforcement knows we are present and we display our press credentials.

We believe we have an outstanding relationship with not only law enforcement, but also government officials in the county. We respect them, and in turn, they give us proper respect. That lets us help each other when it is correct to do so. We hold our ground when it is necessary, but give them the space they need to work safely.

Butler County is a good place to live and work and the communication between us as the media and the local police and government are a good example of why it works so well.