Talk:Getting even with the law: Wikinews interviews New York City's 'Jimmy Justice'

News?

It was not until I was done writing and added sources that I saw the age of the video. But it is only just now grabbing attention. If it is not news, please state so and I will not mind if it is deleted. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 03:00, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

Not news, imo. Cops park illegally all the time and in NYC probably moreso than elsewhere. If it were observed by a Wikinews reporter and the pictures/video could be uploaded to Commons and thus put directly in the story, then maybe news. AND it would have to be much more recent. --SVTCobra 16:48, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

Gotta agree with SVTCobra (talk · contribs) on this one. Cirt - (talk) 18:29, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

I disagree. It is not often that they get caught. Despite the date, I see this as Wackynews, and a good laugh for a news article. I also disagree that although this was not a Wikinewsie, it does not make it anymore less of an article. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 20:19, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

I have to agree with DragonFire. It was nice to see a newsstory that made me laugh. --A101 - (talk) 20:21, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

Dragon, if you don't care whether we think it is newsworthy, then why did you ask? --SVTCobra 23:01, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

Because of the date of the video I first wrote on. But as I am looking over his videos, I see that this is a little deeper. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 23:03, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

If you can get an interview with this person and do a profile of the vigilante work, it might be interesting. But a report on this particular video, I just don't see how that is news whether or not it is popular on digg or elsewhere. And I would publish it as an interview, not "officials caught" --SVTCobra 23:08, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

That's what I am trying to get at. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 23:10, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

E-mailed

I e-mailed Mr. Justice with a few questions including whether or not he is a reporter etc. I forwarded the e-mail to scoop as well. Might make it a little more interesting. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 22:25, 21 April 2008 (UTC)

Got a reply...and he answered some questions i asked. Here is the e-mail:

Quote

---

Hello. My name is Jason Safoutin and I am a freelance journalist writing for Wikinews.org. I recently came across a video of yours which only just got popular on websites such as Digg and reddit.com, entitled: 'traffic cop Anderson breaks the law & has a message for NYC.

I am writing an article about it here which also shows the current coverage of the video above

I was wondering if you would be willing to answer a few questions for me regarding the videos you make of these officers.

1) Are you a reporter or journalist and what is your name? (if you are willing to say).

2) What made you decide to start videotaping these officers?

3) How many have you caught on tape so far?

4) How do you catch them?

5) Do you plan on continuing this work?

6) Anything you would like to add...statement etc.

I hope that you can add something to this article. I hope to hear from you soon.

Jason Safoutin

Wikinews community accredited reporter and administrator

Quote

---

Hi Jason,

1- I am not a reporter.I just play one on youtube :) - I will not reveal my real name because the city will take revenge on me and come to my house and perpetually write me tickets.

2- In NYC , the traffic cops are notorious for their indiscretion in handing out summonses to civilians for petty draconian violations.Obviously the laws are not enforced as a matter of public safety, but rather to raise revenue.What bothers me is watching an officer write someone a summons and then commit the exact same violation whith their official vehicle.I started making these videos to remind the officers (and complacent civilians) that City employees have to abide by the same laws that they are paid to enforce.

3- I have caught hundreds of officers and other city employees violating the law.I have over 30 hours of video compiled.Not all of my videos are so confrontational but I put the most colorful ones on youtube to whet the appetite of the audience.

4- All I have to do to catch them is open my eyes.The problem with abuse of authority is rampant in New York City.I take my video camera with me on the way to work and on the way to social events and band rehearsals and when I see action it takes me less than 4 seconds to have the camera out and in record mode.

5- I plan on doing this and inspiring others to do this as well as a means of leveling the playing field against discourteous officers.I have been contacted by a few major Hollywood studios and we are currently developing a television show.

6- I would like to add that the publicity my videos have received has effected positive change in the community, but we still have a long road ahead of us.

J.J.

DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 01:30, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

Comment

The summary of the "popular" video needs to be shortened and more focus should put on the interview, which I wish was longer. Just my opinion. But this is starting to look like a really good article. --SVTCobra 01:58, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

I asked two more questions to him...if he got in trouble or was ever assaulted etc...but other than that, I am pretty much finished :-) DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 02:01, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

I am not going to be able to stay around much longer tonight. I must sleep soon. I would like to get this published before then if possible. I do not think I will receive a reply from him tonight. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 02:06, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

OK, but do you think you can shorten the recap of that one video? There is entirely too much quoted dialogue in my opinion. --SVTCobra 02:10, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

Indeed...I am slowly working it down :-) DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 02:20, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

Ok How does it look now. I chopped it down as much as I could. I think this part is important because it is what first caused me to contact him, and was also a result of recent popularity. DragonFire1024 (Talk to the Dragon) 02:30, 22 April 2008 (UTC)

Looks great, you should probably publish it now ...--Cometstyles 03:14, 22 April 2008 (UTC)