City Council Fighting For Civilians' Right To Record Police Encounters

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)-- New York council members are fighting for civilians' right to record police activity.

Council member and bill sponsor Jumanne Williams said the Right To Record Act is a response to several incidents. 

"Where people are recording, which they are constitutionally allowed to do and have either gotten arrested or have gotten their property damaged, have had trumped up summonses," he told WCBS 880's Rich Lamb.

The bill would prohibit officers from interfering with or intimidating people from recording police activity. However, Williams also highlighted the need for respectful relations with law enforcement.

"We want to make painstakingly clear that this does not give anyone the permission to interfere with police activity," he said.

It's not yet clear how far the legislation proposal will get.