Deleted Facebook comments are costing Woodland Park big money in First Amendment settlement

Comments critical of the Woodland Park Police were posted to their Facebook page, and they deleted them. Now, they're paying for it in a $65,000 settlement.

[boink]

Good, the Gov should not EVER be able to just 'shut you up' that's a violation of their OATH!

[jwynne]

Absolutely fantastic finally getting caught thanks to cameras and good people behind them. Criminal syndicate in plain view

[chrispeek]

Y’all will be glad to know that the chief at that time is no longer their chief!

[randylaw]

This happens all the time all over the country in almost every county!

[vitogriffin]

Prior restraint. When they censor your published speech, stand right in your face while you're recording to block your view, shine flashlights at your face and camera etc.. it's all illegal, and they should be held accountable every single time. We have the right to scrutinize, document, and redress our government. It's all in that text that every one of them swears an oath to honor and uphold, and they have no idea what it even says. But of course their opinion is that nothing is their fault and every negative thing that comes their way is because of "anti police rhetoric" which they want to see put to a stop, and many politicians and citizens sadly agree with them and want to make laws limiting our abilities to oversee and redress them. People are waking up and the days of herding the sheep to the slaughter are drawing to an end.

[georgemegaw]

It would seem NEWSWORTHY to know where the $65K came from — insurance funding? Taxpayer funding from the jurisdiction? Or, from those who actually deleted the comments. That figure means little if it has no measurable penalty and/or deterrent factor.

[garychambers]

There is NO hate speech you might speech such as "a call to action" or defamation etc. might be viewed in court as not old quote from a Supreme Court Judge..." You can't yell fire in a crowded theater"....Turns out you CAN...If there IS a

[Alex-rluy]

I just got blocked and my post deleted for trying to post THIS news clip on my counties sheriff Facebook page. Just now!

[Snapper]

This Could and SHOULD force many Government Agencies to change their behavior, policies, and conduct.

[xsnowfalls]

Now, we need to go after these private company's for doing the same thing. You can't get section 230 protection and then claim to be a publisher and remove whomever you see fit.

[Buzzlightyear]

Turtle lake police department is currently doing the same thing 😂 I’m about to get paid

[jakerazmataz]

Good for him. Too bad for the tax payers in the community.

[ctom]

Nice.
Setting precedent.
Now we need to vastly increase the amounts of $$$ the lawsuits get.

[BlackPatrick]

The constitution will wipe out this current generation of creeps and cops

[Radmountainbiking]

Woodland Park has issues with their police department. I recently went there to ask a simple question about a traffic situation. At the window for the receptionist there was one way glass. I was asked to furnish ID so they could verify who I was. I said that was an invasion of privacy. Isn't it hypocritical for someone to ask this when standing behind one way glass? I may reach out to the city manager.

[chrissignal]

Port Chester PD also delete Facebook comments they don't like.

[AsdAsd-nlxg]

Woodland Feelings Monitors is more appropriate.

[freedomoperator]

Whoever did the deed needs to be in prison.

[protonneutron]

great coverage. 4th Estate all the way

[Andrewjg_]

But Facebook does also delete comments if they see it as "violates rules" which can result in users getting a warning or even a "temporary ban" which I had couple bans. Even though Facebook are a private social media platform.