Oregon Media Insiders

Does any of this justify the general public being allowed 2 blocks closer to a crime scene than reporters? The answer is no. When an officer tells me to get farther away than the public from ANYTHING, I politely tell him/her "no" and point out the reason why. I've done this many, many times over the years in sseveral cities and never have I had a problem. Sometimes the public is moved back.. Sometimes I'm moved back. The real issue is that not enough reporters challenge the sometimes unreasonable demands of police officers. We BOTH have a job to do.. I respect them and expect the same in return - not to be punished simply because I work in the media.