Reporter wants to shoot meth production

[BOItog]

Use GoPros or other disposable cameras. No names exchanged. Don't need to know where or when it happens. Doesn't seem like you would be breaking a law. Now the meth people would be complete idiots for agreeing to do this. Then again, they are meth-heads.

Just be prepared for subpoenas of all the footage and reporter notes. Is it worth the legal headaches and lawyer fees to do the story? If so, do it... as long as its an honest, in depth, raw look at the nasty business of meth making and not just a reporter padding their tape.

...and you might have to toss the cameras after...

 

[phatwilson]

Still in a holding pattern. Hasn't been any mention of it for a couple weeks but I know reporter still wants to do it.

I really appreciate all the responses and most of the concerns are the same ones I had. I will not take part in this and I think it's a bad call IF mgmt gives the final go ahead for it to move forward. If I were them, I would tell the reporter "not on our watch and not with our equipment."

I'll keep you updated if/when this happens.

 

[Dble(Punched)Vision]

I've chatted with a Fire Dept. Battalion Chief about meth and the aftermath of having walked into a "lab." The word "disposable" came up multiple times. The most effective clean up is the disposal of anything that has come into contact with the process. I'd have to hear the reporters pitch but something tells me "no" is probably the best answer.

I take the long view on #Capitalism: live long enough to spend the money you earn.

 

[CSpotNews]

Sounds like a stupid publicity stunt to me. These sort of stories actually hurt the journalism industry. It doesn't matter how many great stories you do after that one, everyone will remember the meth lab. I think you're making the right call in avoiding this one. No one but the local tweakers will be interested in watching this.

A much better story to do would be one on what happens to people who use that stuff. Meth is probably the most destructive drug out there and it destroys not just the user's lives but their loved ones as well. The guys who cook the stuff usually use it too, so there's a good chance that the guy giving the demonstration will be high at the time. High on meth + dangerous, explosive/toxic chemicals = not a good thing to be in the same neighborhood with, let alone the same room. And as an added bonus, anything of even nominal value left in the station vehicle will likely be stolen while your reporter is inside. I once had a car window smashed out because some low-life tweaker spotted change in my ashtray. The kicker: the door was unlocked at the time. These people only care about one thing and that's getting high. Your reporter might as well want to do a story about what happens when HE gets hit by a train.

 

[DevinDavis]

Expect a sore throat and a cough for a few days. Was always my experience after police escorts through busted meth labs... sore throat and a cough... clothes will smell like cat piss, too.

 

[PAD Imaging]

Sorry to resurrect this, but my answer might help someone else interested in this.
The best way to approach this is to call your local Narcotics guys. They already know all the players, locations and laws. Great way to work up some good will and not be on a Federal evidence video habiting a known narcotics manufacturing site, camera or no. (suuure, you were just filming a piece)... lol