On September 27, a routine day turned into a distressing encounter for Chrisanna Elser when Sgt. Jamie Milliman from the Columbine Valley Police Department unexpectedly visited her home in south Denver’s Fort Logan neighborhood.
Initially, Elser thought she could assist the officer, but instead, she received a startling warning about the extent of surveillance in Bow Mar, where Milliman serves.
He informed her, “You know we have cameras in that jurisdiction and you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?”
Elser responded with surprise, and Milliman continued by detailing her driving patterns, alleging she had passed through the town twenty times in the past month.
The small town of Bow Mar, with just under 1,000 residents, employs Flock Safety cameras that capture vehicle license plates.
These cameras aim to provide valuable tracking information for police, which has ignited debates over privacy and surveillance.
Milliman’s visit was related to a minor theft case involving a $25 package stolen from a doorstep.
He believed the cameras had linked Elser to the crime, officially noting that her car had been detected in the area during the time of the theft.
Despite Milliman’s confidence in the evidence, Elser was taken aback by the serious allegations.
As per Milliman, Bow Mar’s security cameras recorded her presence in the area from 11:52 to 12:09, precisely when the theft took place.
Moreover, the sergeant claimed to have video footage from the victim’s security camera identifying Elser as the accused thief.
Yet, when she asked to see the evidence, he refused, stating that he would not extend any courtesy as long as she denied the accusation.
This encounter culminated in a petty theft ticket for Elser, leaving her with a December court date and a nagging sense of uncertainty.
Determined to clear her name, Elser dedicated herself to gathering evidence of her innocence.
“From then on, I made it a mission every single day,” she shared, frustrated that such an allegation could disrupt her life.
Elser explained that she had indeed driven through Bow Mar on September 22, but the trip was solely to attend a 12 p.m. gown fitting for a charity event.
She obtained surveillance footage from the tailor confirming her arrival and departure times, reinforcing her alibi.
Additionally, she secured videos from their Rivian electric truck’s camera, demonstrating that they never stopped in Bow Mar and were far away from the theft location.
Her husband, Michael Graybill, remarked on the footage’s clarity: “We were more than a quarter mile away at all times; it wasn’t even like we drove by the residence.”
Elser also compiled GPS data from both the truck and her phone, which contradicted the police’s accusations.
Despite the overwhelming evidence that suggested her innocence, the path to having the allegations revoked proved challenging.
During her visits to the police department, Elser and Graybill experienced delays and were informed they would need to wait to speak with the police chief.
Their attempts to engage with Bow Mar officials, including reaching out to the mayor and the town administrator, yielded no results.
Frustrated, she consolidated her evidence into a comprehensive Google Drive folder, complete with a detailed seven-page affidavit listing the distress this incident had caused her.
She highlighted the significant emotional toll, financial burden, and professional ramifications of the wrongful accusation in her document.
Elser eventually sent all the compiled evidence to the police chief for review.
On October 15, she received a response stating, “After reviewing the evidence you have provided (nicely done by the way), we have voided the summons that was issued.”
While the ticket had been dismissed, Elser was left disappointed as there was no apology or acknowledgment of the distress caused by the department.
This experience has left her contemplating legal action against the police department due to the emotional and professional repercussions of the incident.
Although the case against her was dropped, Elser is now acutely aware of the potential dangers posed by surveillance systems, particularly when circumstantial evidence is used against innocent individuals.
She expressed concern for others who may not have the resources to document their whereabouts effectively, as she did.
Reflecting on the ordeal, she stated, “We were thinking … if we’re always under surveillance, we can always prove where we are. Well, lo and behold, here’s a situation where we needed to prove where we were.”
Elser’s situation has not only raised her concerns about surveillance in policing but has also prompted her to continue using her own security cameras to ensure transparency for herself in the future.
As of now, she continues to await an apology from the police department, highlighting the need for accountability and sensitivity towards wrongful accusations in law enforcement.
image source from：denverite
