A Nashua man is facing two felony charges for allegedly using secret video cameras to tape police who had come to his home to investigate his son’s possible role in a robbery.Nashua Police arrested Michael Gannon, 49, of 26 Morgan St., on Tuesday and charged him with two felony counts of interception and disclosure of telecommunication or oral communications. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
According to court filings, Gannon and his wife, Janet, had videocameras set up at both the front and rear entrances of their home. During an interview with police, Janet Gannon told investigators that the couple bought the cameras from Wal-Mart because there had been some criminal mischief in the parking lot in front of their home.
Nashua Police Sgt. Detective Jeff Maher said that although the cameras were not hidden and police officers were on Gannon’s property when the recording allegedly occurred, Gannon never told the police officers that he was recording their actions and conversations. That makes it a crime, he said.
“Just the fact this recording occurred, a crime was committed,” Maher said.
My friend Tom, who gets the hat-tip for sending me this article asks the following question: "Why can’t a homeowner tape record what takes place on his property?" Good question, Tom. I would say this instance represents just one more piece of evidence demonstrating the fact that the notion of private-property rights is fast disappearing in this country.
Oh, and if you were wondering why this particular instance was singled out, perhaps it was what the tape revealed:
Michael Gannon came to the police station Tuesday with a videotape that he said showed the officers being “discourteous.” The tape included a recording of a conversation Gannon had with officers and a second conversation the police had when they were alone.
An additional point to ponder: Would it have been OK if it was a tape of white cops beating a black man?
