When A Cop Calls For Backup And Backup Tells Him He Is Wrong | First Amendment Audit 2026 New

[00:00:00]Hey folks, welcome back to the channel.

[00:00:01]One thing auditors and cop watchers understand that most people don't is how quickly a normal situation can become legally complicated if you don't know exactly where you stand. One wrong answer, one piece of information volunteered unnecessarily, and suddenly the encounter is moving in a direction that's very hard to walk back from. That's not paranoia. That's pattern recognition from watching hundreds of these situations play out.

[00:00:33]And it's why the people in these videos are so careful and deliberate about every word [music] they say and every word they choose not to say. That level of precision under pressure is something that takes real practice. Most people will thankfully never need it.

[00:00:50]But for those who do, today's video is a reminder of exactly why it matters.

[00:00:56]Let's get into it.

[00:00:58]>> Then I could issue a citation on that.

[00:00:59]>> I wouldn't sign it.

[00:01:00]>> What's your name?

[00:01:01]>> That doesn't matter, sir.

[00:01:02]>> I asked you to give me your name. I repeat, you said you weren't going to give me your name. Okay, so here's the deal.

[00:01:06]I really don't believe you have a right to be here on this portion [clears throat] of >> How you doing?

[00:01:44]You here if I get this shot real fast?

[00:01:45]>> Sure. Whatever you need to, bro.

[00:01:46]>> All right.

[00:01:52]Kind of cool, right?

[00:01:55]>> So I'm Sergeant Frisbee for Millville.

[00:01:57]What's going on, man?

[00:01:58]>> Just out here recording, man.

[00:01:59]>> Okay.

[00:01:59]>> Yeah.

[00:02:00]>> You're just recording us right here?

[00:02:01]>> Yeah, I need to get some b-roll for the police department.

[00:02:04]>> Police department?

[00:02:05]>> Yeah.

[00:02:06]>> Excuse me, we hired you?

[00:02:08]>> Huh?

[00:02:08]>> You said for us?

[00:02:10]>> From the police department.

[00:02:11]>> Oh, from. Okay, I was like, for, I was like, did we hire you? Like, we do like a I had to get people to join or whatever.

[00:02:16]>> Did you get a call or something?

[00:02:17]>> No, I saw you out here, so I'm walking up to you.

[00:02:18]>> Oh, is this consensual?

[00:02:20]>> Right now it is, absolutely, 100%.

[00:02:21]>> Cool.

[00:02:22]>> So, what's your name, sir?

[00:02:23]>> I'm not going to give it.

[00:02:24]>> Okay.

[00:02:25]All right.

[00:02:26]You're just enjoying videotaping this nice fun day?

[00:02:28]>> No nefarious intent, just out here recording.

[00:02:30]>> No nefarious intent?

[00:02:31]>> No, sir.

[00:02:32]>> It's nice to hear.

[00:02:34]Glad to hear that.

[00:02:36]>> Can I help you?

[00:02:37]>> Can I politely ask you this area right here is a private drive, and access. So, let me finish.

[00:02:46]>> I'll let you finish.

[00:02:47]>> So, if you would stand up there at the public sidewalk, great.

[00:02:53]Thank you.

[00:02:53]>> So, I've been to Rogers, I've been to Lowell, and I've I'm testing these things right now. If there's no signage saying that this is That is past that fence, you're right. If there's no signage on the front edge of this entrance right here, it's public property and it's not considered restricted. It's considered open to the public. If I can park my vehicle right here, which I assume I can cuz there's no markings right here, I can walk all along this. I can walk in here. I'm actually being very considerate here, staying on this side of the pin pad, making sure I don't get any kind of information.

[00:03:20]>> I think you're over considerate. I think you're over considerate.

[00:03:22]>> Yeah, I am.

[00:03:23]>> Absolutely. Yeah, I don't think you've been rude at all.

[00:03:24]>> I don't want any confrontation. I didn't want any >> sir, I'm a little bit hard of hearing.

[00:03:28]It's hard for me to hear you.

[00:03:29]>> I expect a police response. I just thought that I could get a b-roll here.

[00:03:32]>> Yeah. Oh, that's what I was looking for.

[00:03:34]I had was out on the back, and I actually >> Sir, you're going to have to look at me when you talk. I'm sorry. There's people talking to me here. Just for my I I I I do have a hearing trouble in this ear.

[00:03:42]>> Okay. The back entrance though, there is there is a restricted sign on the front of the road, and it was fallen over. So, I walked up to the not all the way to the fence, but I walked up a little bit to the fence, and then I saw the sign it was laying over on the ground. So, I went and picked it up, put it back where it was at, and walked around.

[00:03:57]>> Turn construction right now, that sign blows over about three times a day.

[00:04:00]>> Well, I fixed it for you.

[00:04:01]>> I appreciate that, man. I can tell you how many times I've set that sign back up. Listen, man, I appreciate your attitude and I appreciate you being more kind and listening to me.

[00:04:08]Let me explain to you what why we don't have that sign out here at the driveway.

[00:04:12]This is a shared one. It's both our controlled access here through the gate.

[00:04:16]It's also our public parking over here for people who are come property or picking up prisoners or speeders or whatever.

[00:04:23]So, there is public access here. You're exactly right. This driveway is public access into that parking lot right there.

[00:04:30]So, you know, I may have to go to the city and tell them I'm going to put up another sign up here.

[00:04:35]>> That would be That would be a solution to the problem.

[00:04:37]>> It would be. Do you know how much these signs cost?

[00:04:39]>> Yeah.

[00:04:40]>> And do you know how long we've been building this building and trying to work everything out and figure out what's going to happen and everything?

[00:04:46]So, this is controlled access so that you're safe, we're safe, everything else. So, if I stand right up here where you're standing and I've got a camera and I say, "Hey, listen, man, I'm just trying to, you know, citizen, this is public property."

[00:05:03]And cars drive out.

[00:05:06]Is it really controlled access anymore?

[00:05:08]Is it really safe? I mean, you can just you can do anything you want, right?

[00:05:12]>> Here Here's my I follow the law to the T. I don't follow any feelings.

[00:05:15]>> Okay.

[00:05:16]>> All right. So, if the law says that I can stand here, then I can. If the law says I I won't stand here, then I'll leave under threat of arrest.

[00:05:21]But, there is no law currently stating that I can't stand here, so I'm going to test the boundaries and stand here.

[00:05:26]>> Okay, so real quick. Sergeant Rick Frisby, Bentonville Gate. I don't know if we got that out.

[00:05:30]>> You got my uh numbers?

[00:05:31]>> 107 >> 107 >> and 111.

[00:05:33]>> and 111.

[00:05:34]>> All right. I don't know if we got that out cuz I was asking you. We kind of got on like a thing and I was like, "Is this guy going to be a jerk? Is he going to be cool?" You've been really cool. So, I appreciate that. But, I will caution you, too. Um in Arkansas, I you know you know the laws about harassment law. I'm sure you understand that very well. There are civilians parking here and video taping of them and This is our IT department also.

[00:05:51]>> not a law.

[00:05:52]>> You have a law back. So you're going to tell me I can't do something to say AR 12-5 you can't do this because of that.

[00:05:58]>> to explain to you is that in Arkansas you cannot video tape a person that is not law enforcement cuz this is first amendment speech right now.

[00:06:04]>> I can't.

[00:06:05]>> Public there is no expectation of privacy in public. Not in a vehicle.

[00:06:08]>> Not you You know plain doctrine view of in >> Very much so.

[00:06:11]>> Okay, thank you. If I can see it >> plain view doctrine?

[00:06:13]>> Yes, you That's what it is. But I can see through this fence right here if it was covered. I can't.

[00:06:17]>> You're still telling me you can video tape a civilian getting in and out of their personal car?

[00:06:20]>> Absolutely can.

[00:06:20]>> You can video tape our IT department?

[00:06:22]>> Absolutely can.

[00:06:22]>> I'm going to refer you to our city attorney's office. Just for some clarification. Obviously there's no one here.

[00:06:27]>> I'm not going to go to the city attorney. I'm not going to go to the city attorney.

[00:06:30]>> I don't think that's right. I really do.

[00:06:31]I'm not going to do it and there's nobody here. But I would caution you that I feel comfortable that I could issue a citation on that. What's your name? That doesn't matter.

[00:06:38]>> Yeah, I'm not going to give you my name.

[00:06:39]You said you weren't going to >> Okay, so here's the deal.

[00:06:43]I really don't believe you have a right to be here on this portion of our lawn.

[00:06:47]It is public property as in the city owns it but it's not public access property. In other words, you don't have access to the inside of our building or anything else because >> Do you know what the GIS survey shows? I I looked it up before I came out here.

[00:06:58]So I already know I've got my I've got Hold on. Hold on. I've got all my bases covered. I'm prepared for an arrest. I'm prepared for anything. I'm prepared for a lawsuit. I got my attorney on the phone. Everything is I'm not going to tell you anything. I'm not going to tell you Yeah.

[00:07:10]>> I'm going to finish up here.

[00:07:13]>> Don't interrupt me when I'm talking and I won't interrupt you. Okay, thank you.

[00:07:16]You can continue.

[00:07:18]Yeah, you're you're good. You're good.

[00:07:19]Continue. Yes, let's go.

[00:07:23]>> So I I disagree. I don't think you have access to this.

[00:07:26]>> It's feelings for >> We're leaving. Okay. And you can stay here for today. I'm going to talk with the city attorney. We're going to research this in the in the future.

[00:07:33]>> Okay, this video is going to get a lot of views. It's going to get a lot more people out here. So you got to get the sign done. And even if Hold on. Even if you get the sign done, the GIS survey the GIS survey the GIS survey is still going to say public property here.

[00:07:45]>> Easy, sir. Don't walk up on public property. Do you understand that?

[00:07:56]>> Here's something that really matters. If you're out in public just filming or minding your business and someone in a uniform tells you to stop or threatens to cite you, don't panic. Know this, if you're standing on public property and not breaking any laws, you have every right to be there. That's exactly what happened in Springdale, Arkansas. A guy was filming near a police department for a story and some officers tried to tell him he couldn't, but there were no signs saying the area was off-limits, no fences, nothing.

[00:08:25]So, he calmly explained his rights, stuck to the law, and didn't back down.

[00:08:30]Even when they hinted at a citation, he stood firm and asked for specifics like what exact law he was breaking. They couldn't give him one. That's the power of being informed. He stayed polite, respectful, but confident, and it worked. No ticket, no arrest, just a little awkwardness on their end.

[00:08:47]This stuff isn't about causing drama.

[00:08:49]It's about making sure public spaces stay public. If officers want people to stay out of certain spots, they need clear signs and legal reasons, not just opinions.

[00:08:59]So, the lesson here, know your rights and uh stay cool and don't let intimidation shut you down.

[00:09:06]It might feel scary in the moment, but the law is on your side. Use it. Being smart and calm can be the strongest defense you've got.

[00:09:13]>> Hey, sir. How are you?

[00:09:14]>> How are you?

[00:09:15]>> I don't need any help, thank you. Who are you, though?

[00:09:17]>> you taking the picture for?

[00:09:19]>> Who are you?

[00:09:20]>> You're not allowed to take any pictures on this floor, sir.

[00:09:23]Unless or until you're an authorized person or you're working for us.

[00:09:26]>> Oh, I don't work for you, no.

[00:09:28]>> Then you do not take no pictures over here.

[00:09:30]>> But who are you? I don't know who you are.

[00:09:31]>> Who do you work for, you?

[00:09:33]>> Who are you?

[00:09:34]>> Who do >> No, I I asked who you guys are. You guys are the public servants.

[00:09:38]>> you're taking the pictures over here?

[00:09:39]Well, you're all due respect, sir.

[00:09:41]You're the public servant. I'm not. I I just I'm the member of the public.

[00:09:44]>> You have to be outside, sir, unless until your business over here. Cuz you're not supposed to be on this floor.

[00:09:49]This floor is not open for the public.

[00:09:51]>> It is open to the public. I didn't >> No, sir, it's not. This Actually, this door is closed.

[00:09:55]>> It's not.

[00:09:55]>> No, sir, there is no We don't serve public at all.

[00:09:58]>> Of course you do. There were just members of the public here.

[00:10:00]>> They're downstairs.

[00:10:01]>> There was members of the public right there.

[00:10:02]>> They're downstairs, sir. They're they're they're training people. They're training the floor. That's why they have This door is open.

[00:10:08]>> So, this is a public office. All due respect, this is a public office.

[00:10:11]>> Sir, this is The public office is down stairs.

[00:10:13]>> Are you Do you want to talk? Cuz you keep saying things. I just Do you have anything to say?

[00:10:17]>> Why you So, why you >> I'm just I just want to know what people are I'm sorry?

[00:10:23]This is a federal building?

[00:10:25]It's not a federal building?

[00:10:27]I They said it was a federal building.

[00:10:30]Right. Okay, so it's not a federal building.

[00:10:33]>> You're not supposed to take pictures in this government agency.

[00:10:36]>> Government agency. Right. But, this is just public. That's all that means.

[00:10:41]All right. You know, I I don't really like Get who?

[00:10:45]>> The police officers.

[00:10:46]>> The police officers. You can get whoever you need. I mean, police officers wouldn't intimidate me. I'm not breaking the law.

[00:10:53]>> You don't take no picture for us, sir.

[00:10:55]You want to take pictures anything else, you take pictures of those walls. Do not take our pictures.

[00:10:59]>> Sir, I just think you need to relax.

[00:11:01]>> Don't take our pictures at all.

[00:11:02]>> Okay.

[00:11:03]>> All right. You want to take pictures, take the pictures of the wall.

[00:11:06]>> Right. Well, I Sir, until you came out here, I wasn't doing anything else.

[00:11:10]>> What's going on, sir? How are you?

[00:11:11]>> Who are you, sir?

[00:11:12]>> I'm a sergeant in the NYPD, sergeant.

[00:11:14]>> You're an NYPD sergeant? Yeah, can I help you with anything?

[00:11:17]>> No, I'm asking you.

[00:11:18]>> No, I don't need any help, sergeant. No, I don't.

[00:11:21]>> You're taking the pictures on this side up here.

[00:11:25]>> Yeah, apparently it's a federal building. They said it was a federal building.

[00:11:28]>> No, it's a state It's a state state agency. They have their own policy. Do have a business?

[00:11:33]>> Yeah, I'm just asking some questions.

[00:11:35]Just, you know, in the public accessible areas.

[00:11:36]>> Can we help you, sir?

[00:11:39]>> Not at this time. I said not at this time. Yeah, no. I just Again, I'm not here to interact with anybody or or even talk to anybody. So, yeah, I'm here to take video, man.

[00:11:49]>> Yeah, but >> Of whatever I want.

[00:11:51]>> business that's downstairs. They're open for >> I'll check that out later. I'm just checking this out. That's it. You know, it's a public space. I'm just taking pictures of the public space.

[00:11:58]>> they it's only by >> appointment.

[00:12:01]>> Yeah, yes to come in.

[00:12:02]>> you have do you have a point?

[00:12:03]>> I don't have an appointment, no. But I I This is a public >> I don't know why they let him in because you have to make an appointment to come in here.

[00:12:11]>> you can come in here and ask questions.

[00:12:12]That's publicly accessible.

[00:12:15]Is it because you guys are so busy here?

[00:12:17]Is that why you need an appointment?

[00:12:20]It's 100%.

[00:12:21]I I got up here easily enough.

[00:12:24]>> Because I don't know how you got up. The security was told >> The DMV has an appointment that's downstairs.

[00:12:30]>> It's a TVB. It's a traffic violation bureau.

[00:12:32]>> Right.

[00:12:32]>> And that's So, and at this moment it's closed. It's closed. For the public it's closed.

[00:12:36]>> It's not closed, sergeant. It's not.

[00:12:39]>> Why who let the this gentleman in, sir?

[00:12:42]>> So, are you stationed here, sergeant?

[00:12:44]>> Yes.

[00:12:45]>> So, you're like security here?

[00:12:46]>> No.

[00:12:47]I'm in charge of police.

[00:12:48]>> You're in charge of the police that are here?

[00:12:51]>> When they come here.

[00:12:52]>> When they come here, but you're always here?

[00:12:54]>> For most part. Most part.

[00:12:56]>> Got you.

[00:12:57]>> What what you want? The traffic violation bureau is closed at the moment. On Thursdays they have no sessions, so this floor is >> There's still people here getting services.

[00:13:05]>> Uh if they need help or whatever the emergency they might have.

[00:13:09]>> There's people There's people working here.

[00:13:10]>> don't have a business I I'm asking you kindly >> Well, I have constitutionally protected business.

[00:13:14]>> The first half of this situation really shows how confused and defensive public employees can get the moment a camera comes out. Shawn wasn't yelling, blocking doors, or bothering anyone. He was walking through a government building that's paid for by the public and recording what anyone else could see with their own eyes. Instead of a simple, "Can I help you?" the reaction was instant suspicion, repeated demands to know who he was, and flat-out wrong claims about the space being closed or restricted. What stood out most was how often the rules seemed to change depending on who was speaking. One person says the floor is open, another says it's closed, then someone else says it's only by appointment, even though people are clearly working there. That kind of inconsistency tells you this wasn't about safety or order, it was about discomfort. And discomfort doesn't erase rights. Public buildings don't become private just because staff feel uneasy. The NYPD sergeant's approach didn't help much either. Instead of clearly explaining what areas are open and which aren't, he leaned into vague authority and kept asking about business, [music] as if being a citizen documenting a public space isn't a valid reason. When officials start acting like they get to decide what kind of business is acceptable, that's when problems start. This part of the video shows a bigger issue than just one building. It highlights how easily public servants forget who they work for. When tax-funded spaces turn hostile to the public, trust breaks down fast. Cameras don't create that problem, they just expose it.

[00:14:46]>> Sergeant, now that you're I know that law enforcement's here, I think that's important to highlight and document.

[00:14:51]>> Okay.

[00:14:52]>> Uh so, I do have constitutionally protected business. I'm I'm I do have business here. It might not be business that you like or they like, the clerk here.

[00:14:59]>> the business?

[00:15:00]>> It's my business, sir. It's just my business. It's my >> they're not If you don't have business with them, you If you have a business, they'll help you. They'll help you with the question.

[00:15:11]>> Right, and I and I answered you politely, ma'am. No, thank you, not at this time.

[00:15:14]>> So, you don't have a business?

[00:15:16]>> Not at this time with them.

[00:15:19]Right. Yeah, if it's it's concerning.

[00:15:24]Right. Well, I'm not I'm not I'm not going to hurt you. I'm not I'm not against your safety.

[00:15:41]Right, exactly.

[00:15:42]You got me on camera.

[00:15:45]Over here we have an attorney-client room.

[00:15:48]>> Don't go inside.

[00:15:48]>> Oh, there goes the uh I mean, there's nobody in here.

[00:15:54]>> Yeah, but I tell you don't go inside, sir. They they have no attorneys.

[00:15:58]So, you have no business in there.

[00:16:01]>> I business everywhere that's public, sir.

[00:16:03]>> Yeah, but at this time I'm telling you you you're not welcome there.

[00:16:07]>> Okay, no problem. I mean, I already saw everything that's in there.

[00:16:10]>> Okay.

[00:16:11]>> That's fine.

[00:16:12]Seems kind of pointless. I don't >> Sir, we're we're done. You recorded enough.

[00:16:17]>> No, sir. You don't tell me when I'm done.

[00:16:19]>> I'm telling you no, no, no. I'm telling you they have no business. The The floor is closed, sir.

[00:16:23]>> It's not closed.

[00:16:24]>> It's closed for business.

[00:16:25]>> There's people that are here.

[00:16:27]>> have a business in here?

[00:16:28]>> I I I want to go back to my business and then I'll be on my >> Well, what's your business in >> My business is none of your business, respectfully, sir. I'm just here in public. I'm not doing anything illegal.

[00:16:36]That's all I'm doing, taking pictures and video.

[00:16:38]>> Yeah, you took enough. What's enough 10 minutes?

[00:16:41]>> Okay, but what's but what's enough for you might not be enough for me. I don't like the a government agent telling me when I can and cannot be in a public building.

[00:16:48]I don't think that's right. I don't think it's right for you to tell me when I can be here or when I can't. It's public.

[00:16:55]Funded by tax dollars, just like your salary, just like Do you see all of these taxpayer dollars of these people quote-unquote working here?

[00:17:02]And uh yet they're apparently closed to the public.

[00:17:10]Makes no sense whatsoever.

[00:17:13]Seems like a big waste of our tax dollars to have people working in public buildings not helping anyone.

[00:17:23]>> [laughter] >> They're closing down.

[00:17:26]They just turned off all the lights.

[00:17:29]That's ridiculous. So you guys are closing? Turning off the lights you get you're closing?

[00:17:33]>> I'm not closing. I have my own business to take care of.

[00:17:36]>> What do you do here?

[00:17:37]>> Huh? I told you already. I'm not going to repeat yourself.

[00:17:40]>> No, it's not about you you said that you're a police officer here and you're in charge of the police that come here when they do come here. I have >> I I told you already.

[00:17:46]>> what do you do when there's no other police here?

[00:17:47]>> You don't worry about it.

[00:17:48]>> Okay. I'm just as a concerned taxpayer I just wanted to know.

[00:17:52]>> Don't worry about it.

[00:17:52]>> Man, they're closed apparently.

[00:17:55]1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 public servants working in there.

[00:18:03]I want to know what they do in here. Hey guys, how are you?

[00:18:07]>> Hello.

[00:18:07]>> Hey, I just wanted to know what does this department do?

[00:18:11]The road test unit?

[00:18:15]Oh, I shouldn't be recording here. I just wanted to and I'll be done recording as soon as I'm sorry? No, I don't ma'am. I'm just asking some questions. What do you guys do here in the road test unit?

[00:18:24]>> You can't record. You can't record here.

[00:18:27]>> I can I can tell you exactly what we do but you got to >> You're only going to tell me what you do if I stop recording.

[00:18:34]I see the sign, right?

[00:18:42]I just want to know what you did. That's all.

[00:18:48]Okay.

[00:18:50]Real warm welcome from the New York City public servants here.

[00:18:55]Real warm welcome.

[00:18:58]And again, turning off all the lights.

[00:19:00]All for a polite man with a camera.

[00:19:03]It makes absolutely no sense. All right, let's check out the first floor.

[00:19:08]Department of Motor Vehicle.

[00:19:10]This elevator here is obviously out of order.

[00:19:14]This elevator is also out of order.

[00:19:24]Does not work whatsoever.

[00:19:27]That does not seem ADA compliant.

[00:19:30]Seems like if a private business were to have elevators that do not work and that can transport people who are disabled to the second floor, that would be some sort of fine. They would get in some sort of legal trouble, I'm sure.

[00:19:48]But when the government does it, let's go check out the Department of Motor Vehicle first floor.

[00:19:57]>> Yes.

[00:20:00]>> No, I'm just taking some pictures and videos. It's fine. No, no, no, it's fine. Thank you.

[00:20:04]This is a public building. Again, I don't know why people keep having such big problems with the camera.

[00:20:11]We have the reception here. Look at the madhouse. This is what I wanted to document. The madhouse DMVs have become even though they've been madhouses before.

[00:20:22]Now with the Real ID requirement, Hi, how are you?

[00:20:26]>> Can I just ask you not to record basically that's that's all.

[00:20:29]>> All right. No, I'm not here Yeah, I'm not here to get anybody in particular.

[00:20:32]I'm just getting some documents for my decide and I just as a journalist I want to document the crazy crush the rush with Real ID. No, no, no. Yeah, yeah. I mean they don't have privacy, but I'm not the guy I'm not the guy that's going to potentially get in >> You're the guy that's going to give us a big problem.

[00:20:47]>> Well, I don't know if what are guys give big problems. Maybe some of them do, but I'm not I'm not the guy in general that's going to give a big problem and and stick cameras and I'm not doing that. All right. Thank you. Appreciate it. I don't know why she says you're not a naughty guy that's going to give us a problem, right? I mean Cannon First Amendment Auditor give people problems. Sure, anybody can.

[00:21:06]Law enforcement officers do it more than anybody. We have the uh written test room here. Everyone's different.

[00:21:12]Everyone's different. Again, my goal is not to uh Big, beautiful American flag here. It's good. I'm so used to seeing thin blue line flags, but at least the supervisor was educated and didn't tell us to leave and call law enforcement. The security guards were definitely getting aggressive. I want to see if I can speak to I should have asked that supervisor about the elevators being broken.

[00:21:41]Yes, ma'am. I just wanted to ask the supervisor I saw you were a supervisor.

[00:21:44]Um I just wanted to bring to your attention you know the elevators in this building aren't working?

[00:21:48]>> Yes.

[00:21:48]>> It is.

[00:21:50]I mean you're a public servant.

[00:21:53]I mean we don't have to have a conversation. I just I just wanted to let you know Right, right, right. I just wanted to I just wanted to let you know that the elevator >> Um we don't own the building. We rent the building, so the owners are working on getting them >> the do lease the building. You're obviously leasing the building as the city. Okay. All right, thank you.

[00:22:08]Appreciate it. Yep. I won't waste any more of your time. So, they lease this building and the elevators aren't working, ladies and gentlemen.

[00:22:17]That seems like a big no-no.

[00:22:20]A very big no-no.

[00:22:22]>> The second half really drives the point home by showing how different departments in the same building can act completely differently. Upstairs, lights get shut off, people get short and dismissive, and the presence of a camera suddenly becomes an excuse to stop doing their jobs.

[00:22:38]Then, downstairs at the DMV, it's chaotic, crowded, and stressful for the public, yet the reaction to filming is calmer and more reasonable. That contrast says a lot. What's frustrating here is that Shawn wasn't trying to provoke anyone. He even explained what he was documenting like broken elevators and overcrowding, which are real issues that affect everyday people. Instead of seeing that as useful feedback, some staff treated it like a personal attack, turning off lights and refusing to answer basic questions. Just looks petty and unprofessional, especially in a public office.

[00:23:13]The broken elevators were another big red flag. If this were a private business, there would be serious consequences.

[00:23:20]But when it's a government building, it feels like accountability disappears.

[00:23:24]That's exactly why public recording matters.

[00:23:27]Without someone pointing a camera at these problems, most people would never know about them. By the end, it's clear this wasn't about one auditor or one bad day. It was about a system where too many public employees see transparency as a threat instead of part of the job.

[00:23:43]When citizens are treated like intruders in buildings they pay for, something is wrong. The real-world impact is simple.

[00:23:50]People lose trust. And once trust is gone, no amount of authority can replace it.

[00:23:55]>> to record me the entire time? Okay. Are you okay?

[00:23:59]Cuz that's >> But >> my number one priority is to make sure you're okay.

[00:24:01]>> How do I seem?

[00:24:03]>> Well, a little bit on edge.

[00:24:06]Perhaps paranoid.

[00:24:08]There are You're recording me and I've never met you before, so that's not normal behavior when I first talk to somebody, but >> oh boy.

[00:24:14]>> to you if you want to do that. Someone just called, probably about 45 minutes ago.

[00:24:19]>> Okay.

[00:24:20]>> And um that's why I'm here. I've I've never met you before. So, the complaint was about that >> that I'm just in the area and like I'm on my car now.

[00:24:28]>> your vehicle parked in different areas and they're concerned in your vehicle at night, which is against the by-laws.

[00:24:33]>> D A N J O U.

[00:24:36]Hello. Good morning.

[00:24:38]>> Hi.

[00:24:39]Are you going to record me the entire time?

[00:24:41]>> Uh How about this?

[00:24:44]>> I can't talk to somebody when a phone is pointing at me, right?

[00:24:47]>> How about this?

[00:24:48]>> Well, do you need to record me?

[00:24:50]>> Have you seen my my ex-account?

[00:24:53]>> Your what?

[00:24:54]>> Have you seen my ex-account?

[00:24:55]>> No.

[00:24:57]I don't even know who you are.

[00:24:58]>> Oh, okay.

[00:24:59]>> We've just had a complaint about the vehicle kind of hanging out in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd come and talk to you. Make sure everything's okay.

[00:25:05]>> Okay.

[00:25:05]>> That's the only reason I'm here.

[00:25:07]>> You're highly ranked.

[00:25:08]>> Well, I'm not highly ranked. I'm just a sergeant.

[00:25:11]>> Oh, okay.

[00:25:11]>> too high.

[00:25:12]>> You're medium ranked.

[00:25:14]>> Rank is really not that important.

[00:25:16]>> It's just like I stopped at work.

[00:25:17]>> [laughter] >> My first name is Tiffany.

[00:25:20]>> Nice to meet you.

[00:25:21]>> What is your first name?

[00:25:22]>> Rene.

[00:25:23]>> Rene. Hi, Rene.

[00:25:24]>> Nice to meet you.

[00:25:25]>> So, the reason I'm here is because we had a call from one of the residents in the neighborhood. They were just a little bit concerned cuz they're seeing your vehicle parked in numerous places throughout and obviously we have a lot of break-and-enters and different things that happen. So, I just thought I'd come and make sure you're not up to no good. I would say you're probably living in your vehicle.

[00:25:44]>> It's a complicated situation.

[00:25:45]>> Yeah. You're from Saskatchewan.

[00:25:48]>> Uh I got it's it's a really complicated situation.

[00:25:52]>> Okay. Are you okay?

[00:25:54]Cuz that's our number one priority is make sure you're okay.

[00:25:56]>> How do I seem?

[00:25:58]>> Well, a little bit on edge.

[00:26:01]Perhaps paranoid.

[00:26:03]You're You're recording me and I've never met you before, so that's not normal behavior when I first talk to somebody, but that's up to you if you want to do that. Oh, boy, we're >> already off to a bad start.

[00:26:13]>> We are?

[00:26:14]>> Yeah.

[00:26:14]>> How come?

[00:26:16]>> You You have a wrong impression >> You just asked me You just asked me.

[00:26:21]So, I was just being honest.

[00:26:23]>> I know, but okay. Um so, I don't I don't think that was honesty.

[00:26:31]I think that was That was a jab because of my local reputation.

[00:26:37]>> I've never met you before, Rene. I don't even know what your local reputation is.

[00:26:40]>> So, with the complaint did it have to do with like someone yesterday?

[00:26:45]>> No.

[00:26:46]Had nothing to do with yesterday.

[00:26:48]>> So, the complaint was for today?

[00:26:49]>> Yes.

[00:26:51]>> Okay.

[00:26:51]>> Someone just called, probably about 45 minutes ago.

[00:26:55]>> Okay.

[00:26:56]>> And um that's why I'm here. I've I've never met you before. I don't know what your local reputation is.

[00:27:02]>> Okay. What So what can I can I ask what the complaint was about, like?

[00:27:05]>> Yeah, I just told you. So the complaint was about that >> Oh yeah, that I'm just in the area and like I'm like parked down there.

[00:27:10]>> vehicle parked in different areas and they're concerned that you're sleeping in your vehicle at night, which is against the bylaws in Centre Sanitarium.

[00:27:16]>> I I parked here I don't know earlier in the morning.

[00:27:21]>> Okay.

[00:27:22]>> But so like I like last night I was parked in Lyford.

[00:27:28]>> Okay. Well, they didn't mention anything about last night.

[00:27:31]>> Okay.

[00:27:33]>> [laughter] >> So I I'm going to assume that obviously other police officers have talked to you.

[00:27:37]>> Yeah, so because I need to Okay, because I've had like lots of lots of police contact, right? So I'm just trying to like comply with that.

[00:27:46]>> Okay. I appreciate that.

[00:27:48]>> I mean, that's what I'm trying to do.

[00:27:50]>> I'm not here to give you grief.

[00:27:51]>> Because No, I I understand.

[00:27:54]>> Except you using the like the P-word.

[00:27:57]>> I'm sorry, did that offend you? You asked me how you see You asked me how you were coming across and when someone's recording >> Yeah, but then you but then you look down like like you're like throwing a jab, you know? I mean, like throwing mental health in a situation like that, which I'm I mean, I seem pretty solid, right?

[00:28:12]>> I was not throwing a jab. You asked me how you were coming across and I was answering you honestly cuz you're recording me. So It's okay.

[00:28:20]>> Wait, so you said I was paranoid cuz I'm recording you?

[00:28:22]>> Okay. Anyways, we can go down there >> [laughter] >> if you want or we can just deal with the situation and you know why I'm here.

[00:28:29]>> Sorry.

[00:28:30]>> Okay.

[00:28:32]>> Not really.

[00:28:32]>> [laughter] >> Are you okay? That's my number one concern.

[00:28:36]>> So like my situation is complicated, right?

[00:28:39]>> Yeah.

[00:28:40]>> [laughter] >> Uh okay. Yeah, >> Yeah, yeah.

[00:28:47]I'm just to help.

[00:28:49]>> Okay.

[00:28:51]So, um I'm going to go back to recording because I'm I'm viewing some expressions that um I don't want to like misinterpret.

[00:29:02]>> Okay.

[00:29:03]Whatever makes you more comfortable.

[00:29:05]>> Okay.

[00:29:06]So, um there's no private road.

[00:29:12]And the And And And like the bylaw I know the last officer he says, "I don't want to play this game."

[00:29:18]Um but I'm just trying to follow the rules, right? So, if if I'm not breaking any rules cuz you're not giving me a ticket or like a violation where I can speak to a judge which would which would >> you were breaking [clears throat] any rules.

[00:29:31]I was coming here to just check on you cuz of the of the call we received.

[00:29:36]>> Okay, so the last plea um central You're central sandwich, right? The last officer mentioned that um taking action.

[00:29:45]So, now here you are and this is this is where after the officer saw me I then posted that video and that interaction and me going around like the block.

[00:29:58]And who knows what block watch, the community, police have powwowed and brainstormed together, but now I'm seeing action in the form of Tiffany coming here putting So, now you're putting a card in my door and you're you're kind of like prying to on my situation and you keep on asking me if I'm okay.

[00:30:23]So, like is this going to be like Do you have like mental health training?

[00:30:29]>> I do.

[00:30:30]>> Okay.

[00:30:31]>> And to speak to a number of your issues, I'm not here because of what happened before. I'm not here because of a conversation I had with police prior.

[00:30:38]I'm here because a member of this specific community called us about your vehicle. [music] >> Got it.

[00:30:46]>> it was suspicious because it's seen in numerous areas throughout the neighborhood and it has [music] an out of province plate. That's why I'm here today. I've never dealt with you before.

[00:30:56]Right? We've never met before.

[00:30:58]I'm not following up on anything from before.

[00:31:01]That's why I'm here today.

[00:31:04]>> Okay, so I mean it >> So you obviously are aware of the bylaws that you're not allowed to park more than 72 hours.

[00:31:09]>> Yes, ma'am.

[00:31:10]>> You're aware of that?

[00:31:10]>> [music] >> You obviously have been educated about the fact that you're not allowed to sleep in your vehicle.

[00:31:15]>> Mhm.

[00:31:15]>> Okay, so I appreciate that.

[00:31:17]>> [music] >> So aside from that, I see you're okay.

[00:31:20]There's really nothing else we need to talk about as long as you're aware of the bylaws.

[00:31:25]>> Okay.

[00:31:25]>> Okay? Do you have any questions for me before I go?

[00:31:31]>> What do I What can I expect in the future?

[00:31:35]>> Well, I guess if someone else calls about your vehicle, we're obligated to follow up on that complaint.

[00:31:41]Oh, and you asked me why I left my card in your door handle. Why I left my card in your door handle is because when I came here and I knocked on all the windows, no one answered. I didn't know if anyone was inside. It didn't seem like anyone was inside, but I can't tell because of the windows were all covered. So I put my card in here so you knew I would came so you could call me at your leisure.

[00:32:00]That's why I put my card there because that's what I like to do when I come in.

[00:32:03]>> I thought it was a ticket.

[00:32:05]>> No, it's just my business card.

[00:32:06]>> Okay. I have like the front seat moved up and I have like water and stuff on like the floor. So I have I have to like move everything back and then come to the front and like have my backpack here and >> And that's totally fine. It's totally fine. That's why [music] I left my card there, right?

[00:32:20]>> Um Okay, so so to touch base on the whole like action in in the future.

[00:32:27]>> Yes.

[00:32:28]>> Um So someone complains again that there's suspicion.

[00:32:38]I mean, so like what does that look like? Like what action does essential signage take?

[00:32:42]So like cuz right now you're you're you're not giving me a violation or like a ticket or a fine, you're giving me a business card.

[00:32:48]And you're like, well, that's it.

[00:32:50]But okay, but then what happens next?

[00:32:52]>> Well, nothing happens right now. Now I go >> [music] >> as long as you understand the bylaws and you can't be parked here or living in your vehicle in this neighborhood. You can't do that.

[00:33:02]Um if there's another call from resident in this neighborhood or anywhere else where you may be, then we as police, whoever that call is goes to, are obligated to respond. We have to.

[00:33:13]Right? So, we work for the community. So >> If you have questions >> another officer will probably come out and do the exact same thing that I've just done and just ensure that you're not violating [music] any bylaws.

[00:33:24]>> Okay.

[00:33:25]>> Okay. That's what we do.

[00:33:26][gasps and sighs] >> I haven't once even got outside of my vehicle. I haven't even walked.

[00:33:31]>> Okay.

[00:33:33]>> I mean, you can tell the locals that.

[00:33:34]>> Yeah.

[00:33:35]>> I I I I could care less about any of these houses or or anything.

[00:33:38]>> that and that's why I wanted to talk to you, right? Because I can see from talking to you >> Yeah, I told the last officer that.

[00:33:43]>> that you're not breaking any laws, know that, right?

[00:33:44]>> I haven't once loitered. I haven't once >> said that. It's just about the vehicle.

[00:33:49]>> Every every night I go into Langford and there's a garbage that I pull up next to and I put my garbage in the garbage.

[00:33:55]>> I appreciate that.

[00:33:56]>> Um >> But that's why I like to talk to you, right? Because I think it's important to get your side of what's happening.

[00:34:02]>> Yeah, yeah. I I understand. I mean, it started off odd, but I'm just me.

[00:34:08]>> Mhm.

[00:34:09]>> I'm just trying to like like now that like we're going down this path cuz I I I Anyways, I'm just >> have to go down any other path.

[00:34:17]>> I'm just letting you know that um you can Yeah. I mean, you don't want to talk about anything further of like why I'm here, right? So, there's just suspicion and we'll just leave it at that.

[00:34:29]>> If you want to talk to me, that's up to you, but you don't There's mean, you're not committing any >> You don't care.

[00:34:34]>> bylaw infractions. Of course, I care, but I don't want to >> [laughter] >> You've already You've already accused me of saying too much, [music] so >> Did Did Sandage see the video that I posted that I linked your your accounts to?

[00:34:45]On X?

[00:34:47]All right.

[00:34:47]>> I I haven't seen any videos. I don't really go [music] on social media, so >> All right.

[00:34:52]I mean, until next time.

[00:34:55]>> Okay.

[00:34:56]>> [laughter] >> You have a good day. Take care.

[00:34:58]>> All right.

[00:34:58]>> Okay.

[00:34:59]>> Thank you. This interaction feels calm on the surface, but underneath it shows how easily a simple situation can drift into something uncomfortable. A man sitting in his parked car isn't doing anything wild. He's not driving, not bothering anyone, just existing in a space that happens to make someone else uneasy. That alone shouldn't turn into a soft investigation about his life, his mental state, or where he sleeps at night. From a constitutional standpoint, this is where things get tricky. Police are allowed to check on someone's well-being, but that line gets blurry when concern slowly turns into suspicion without any clear reason. The moment questions shift from are you okay to are you living in your car, or are you violating bylaws, it stops feeling like help and starts feeling like pressure.

[00:35:48]You can't claim it's just a friendly check while hinting that the person might be doing something wrong. The filming part is important, too.

[00:35:55]Recording police in public is protected, and it shouldn't be treated like a red flag. Calling it paranoid or not normal is unnecessary and kind of unfair. A lot of people record these interactions because they've learned the hard way that memory fades and stories change.

[00:36:11]Turning that into a mental health comment crosses a line, especially when the person is calm and respectful.

[00:36:17]What really stands out is the contradiction. The officer keeps saying he's not in trouble, not breaking any rules, and won't get a ticket. But at the same time, she explains the bylaws, talks about future complaints, and makes it clear this can keep happening.

[00:36:32]That puts the man in a weird spot where he's technically free, but practically under watch. It's not illegal, but it doesn't feel great, either.

[00:36:41]This kind of encounter shows how trust wears down slowly. When people feel questioned for simply being somewhere, they stop feeling protected and start feeling managed. A quick check, a clear explanation, and moving on would have kept this simple. Instead, it became awkward, personal, and confusing. Even without anyone raising their voice, that tension sticks, and that's the part people remember.

[00:37:08]>> Okay.

[00:37:09]>> Don't go inside the library, public library, sir. Might be violating policy.

[00:37:13]Nothing. I'm an independent journalist.

[00:37:14]I've never dealt with your department before. I don't know who you're speaking of. I don't know who you are. Um My name is Shawn. I'm an independent journalist.

[00:37:22]>> Well, Shawn what?

[00:37:23]>> It doesn't matter what my last name is.

[00:37:26]I've never dealt with you. I've never dealt with anybody from the Lakewood Police Department before in my entire life. So, I have a right to film inside of publicly accessible areas. I have a First Amendment right of freedom of press. I'm not breaking any laws. I'm not causing any disturbances. No one complained about me recording when they first when they first when when they when they first approached me, no one had complained that I was filming. Probably because they started a scene is why people started complaining cuz no one would even I would have My My My objective here is to look at all the literature that's in this building, film it for my story that I'm working on to make sure that there's that they have all the documentation um to make sure that they're not hiding any books from the public or what what books are in there for transparency purposes.

[00:38:13]I'm not here to cause disturbance. I'm not here to do anything of that nature.

[00:38:17]I'm not breaking any laws. I haven't been rude to anybody here. I haven't raised my voice to anyone. I've identified myself. My name is Shawn.

[00:38:24]I've stated my purpose. I'm an independent journalist. I'm exercising my freedom of press right. I don't see what's the issue here.

[00:38:36]See? I understand, but that rule is not a law. There's If you can see, sir, there's no statute attached to it. I'm ex- I'm engaging in a constitutionally protected activity. I'm not That is They can have their rules, but their rules can't supersede the law and the United States Constitution. If they had a sign, they printed that off of a, you know, a printer. If they printed off something that says, "No colored people were allowed in here," would you enforce that? No, right?

[00:39:02]Because it would be in violation of the Constitution.

[00:39:07]I'm just here to use the library like anyone else for its intended purpose.

[00:39:10]I'm not here to cause a disturbance.

[00:39:12]Anybody else can use the library. If I was here with secret with camera glasses and no one knew I was recording, there wouldn't be an issue. But because I'm being honest and I'm just openly recording, there's an issue.

[00:39:31]That's not a law.

[00:39:36]But a policy You're You're law enforcement. You're law enforcement, you're not policy enforcement.

[00:39:42]You need to de-escalate and calm down, sir.

[00:39:44]No, you've escalated You've escalated since the moment you got here.

[00:39:51]I want to speak to a supervisor.

[00:39:53]I would like to speak to a supervisor.

[00:39:57]What law would I be breaking?

[00:40:06]I just want to be clear, officer. I'm in If I If I don't step outside, what are you What is your next action?

[00:40:13]And if I don't step outside, what happens?

[00:40:16]I I need to understand.

[00:40:17]>> I need to understand what what what are the I need to understand because I'm going to need to hold you accountable.

[00:40:22]>> and then I will show it to you and then we'll go from there. Sound okay?

[00:40:25]>> Sure, go ahead. You can get whatever information you need. I would just like to get a supervisor, please.

[00:40:29]>> No problem.

[00:40:30]Supervisor's coming out.

[00:40:31]>> Sure, I'll I'll I'll like to speak with I'll like to speak with >> Number 22.

[00:40:35]>> Oh, what statute is this?

[00:40:40]Oh, this isn't a statute, sir.

[00:40:41]>> No, but you're not allowed to film in here.

[00:40:43]You're not.

[00:40:43]>> This is a >> But, the supervisor will come out and explain it since you don't want to talk to us.

[00:40:47]That's why.

[00:40:48]>> I mean, I just don't want to argue with you. I don't want to I don't want to escalate it. You're I feel like you're escalating it. You You're using >> lot more.

[00:40:53]>> You're using You better not. You better not.

[00:40:56]>> So, >> You better not.

[00:40:57]>> He's trying to talk to you.

[00:40:58]>> No, listen. That's escalating right there saying I can escalate it. We can both escalate. We can both escalate.

[00:41:05]>> I'm going to >> You're not very professional, man.

[00:41:07]You're not very professional.

[00:41:08]>> explain something to you though before >> I'm I am I am looking at it and I'm not seeing a statute on here.

[00:41:15]>> before and he's trying to explain something to you though and he explained it to you.

[00:41:18]>> What was he trying to explain to me, sir?

[00:41:19]>> He was trying to explain it to you and you were over talking to him.

[00:41:22]>> Sir, because have I not let you speak, right? There's a There's a difference.

[00:41:27]I understand, but why do you think I let you speak and why do you think if I did speak over him, why did I speak over him and why did I let you speak? Because you, okay, I'll I'll I'll explain it to you because you've de-escalated since you've got here. You haven't escalated situation. You haven't treated me in a poor in a poor manner. You've been professional. Whether you agree with what I'm doing here or not, you've been professional and you haven't escalated.

[00:41:48]The other officer there, he has escalated. He hasn't been professional.

[00:41:52]So, he has not earned my respect.

[00:41:54]Respect is a two-way street. If you treated me the same way If you treated me the same way that he was treating me, I wouldn't care what you have to say either, sir. I know what I'm doing is right and if I leave this building under threat of arrest, that just opens up Lakewood the the city of Lakewood for a federal civil rights lawsuit and both of your names will be on it and the library director. And again, might not care.

[00:42:17]It just is what it is. It's not a threat. It's just it is what it is. And then hopefully we can get a court to rectify this situation.

[00:42:26]Yeah, and I and I explain and I explain to you why.

[00:42:28]>> The sergeant's going to be out here in a few minutes.

[00:42:31]>> Sure.

[00:42:32]Mhm.

[00:42:35]If the library called you and said this person of whatever color is in here, we have a strict policy that this person isn't allowed inside of this facility to use the facility.

[00:42:46]Here's the policy and they handed you paperwork saying that this is their policy. They had signs hung up that said whatever color, let's use white, white people aren't allowed inside this facility. Would you enforce that policy and remove the the person from the facility?

[00:42:59]>> I'm not going to answer that cuz that has nothing to do with what we're doing.

[00:43:02]>> Well, it's the same thing. It's just a policy.

[00:43:04]It's policy. Right?

[00:43:09]That's kind of scary that you wouldn't answer that question. It's a pretty answer It's pretty basic question. I mean, the right answer is no. Officer Emmons, you know, you would be greatly served to take one of my de-escalation courses that I do for >> Yes.

[00:43:23]>> for police departments across the country.

[00:43:25]>> Yes.

[00:43:26]>> I work with police departments across the country and we have great conversations on how de-escalation is so important.

[00:43:31]>> at de-escalation.

[00:43:32]>> I don't think I don't think If we watch back the video, I think that there's certain things and maybe I'll use this video in my next training. There were certain the the manner you assumed I was somebody that you obviously have an antagonistic that I have an that you have an antagonistic relationship with and you use that emotion. Again, it's all about controlling your emotions. You have to be able to control your emotions because it keeps you safe and it keeps the public safe.

[00:43:55]Because you're armed, you know? You can you can let somebody When you let another man control or woman control your emotions, you're allowing them to control you.

[00:44:05]You have to be in control of your emotions.

[00:44:07]>> I'm very good at that, sir. I appreciate your concern, but I'm pretty good at that. I just don't think what I seen and what I seen here today, I don't think that you were really in control of your emotions. I think you were very upset.

[00:44:15]No one got hurt, thankfully.

[00:44:18]No one got hurt.

[00:44:24]I'm saying de-escalation. I'm saying de-escalation. I'm saying de-escalation and escalation because it could have it could have continued to escalate.

[00:44:32]Yeah, cuz if I would have escalated, then you would probably we would escalated some more and then it could have gotten out of hand really quick and then you know, it's just for officer safety.

[00:44:41]You know, you guys talk about officer safety a lot and then the public safety.

[00:44:43]It's very important to be able to de-escalate.

[00:44:46]>> A few minutes later.

[00:44:47]>> Sergeant, I'm not 100% familiar with that case, but I think what that case is referring to cuz I've seen cases like it, it's more like expressive activities like protesting inside of a library. We have a right to protest, right? You have freedom of speech. You can curse. You can do those things. But, if it's disturbing to the library, I just want to look at books. I'm trying to document that process of looking at books in the library, document what books are in the library, and bring that report on that to my viewership. That's all I'm doing.

[00:45:13]I'm not I'm not here to, you know, cause a scene. I understand this is this is kind of a scene, but >> Well, I just got here, so I wasn't sure what what was said to me.

[00:45:22]>> Yeah. No, they just said that the library has policies and all I all I said back to that was that they could have policies about anything, but if that policy is in violation of law or the United States Constitution, that policy is null and void. It can't supersede the law or the United States Constitution. Nobody wants to be arrested, but I need standing in a court of law. So, the same way that Kramer versus Board of Police had went to federal court, this needs to that was regarding Pueblo Police Department, I would assume, I'm not sure, but I would need standing in a court of law. I would need to be affected by this policy here in order to bring it in a federal court case. And I can only be affected if you tell me, "Sean, I'm telling you right now if you don't leave the library, you are going to be placed under arrest for whatever."

[00:46:09]I don't know, but if you tell me that, now that is a threat of arrest from a law enforcement officer, and I can take that threat of arrest and bring it into a federal court system. And unfortunately, you would be part of that, and so would all of your officers here today.

[00:46:21]>> read to you >> I get it.

[00:46:23]And And like I said, where we Where we go from here is is up to you, sir. I'm I I just want to use the library. I I want to make it very clear. I want to use the library for its intended purpose. I want to exercise my First Amendment right of freedom of press peacefully without bothering anybody, and I'll be on my way.

[00:46:39]What happens next is up to you.

[00:46:43]>> example, for example, in the courtroom, you can't record.

[00:46:47]>> Right. Courtrooms are non-public forums.

[00:46:50]>> And limited, also.

[00:46:51]>> No, they're not. Courtrooms are non-public forums.

[00:46:54]And And they're ruled over by judges.

[00:46:56]It's It's way different than a library.

[00:46:58]I'm going to go about my business. I'm not being told I can't go inside the library.

[00:47:03]So, I'm going to go about my business.

[00:47:07]>> This encounter is a textbook example of why understanding your rights, especially when it comes to public spaces, is so important. Here we have a man calmly walking into a public library recording his visit for a story he's working on. He's not shouting, not disrupting, not interfering with anyone's use of the space. Yet almost instantly, law enforcement steps in and tries to shut him down, citing vague policies instead of laws.

[00:47:33]And here's the thing, policies aren't laws that matters. A government building like a library is paid for by taxpayers and open to the public. Just because a sign says no filming doesn't make it legally enforceable unless there's a law behind it. It's like putting up a no red shirts allowed sign. Without a legal statute to support it, it's just paper.

[00:47:53]The real issue here wasn't the camera, it was the discomfort of staff or officers unfamiliar with the First Amendment, but discomfort isn't a legal reason to stop someone from recording in a public place.

[00:48:06]If someone was secretly recording with glasses or a button cam, nobody would have blinked. But when you hold up a phone and say, "Hey, I'm here to film."

[00:48:13]suddenly you're the problem. That doesn't make sense. The key is staying calm, respectful, and informed. Know your rights, stand your ground, and remember you don't lose your freedoms just because someone else is uncomfortable with you exercising your >> [ __ ] dude. You're a little you, dude.

[00:48:32]>> A reasonable officer would turn around and de-escalate.

[00:48:35]>> Shame on you. Shame on you.

[00:48:46]Smile.

[00:49:30]It's a lot of you guys for one lady.

[00:49:33]Nothing Nothing else to do or what?

[00:49:37]Is this productivity?

[00:49:38]>> Yeah, you got anything else to do?

[00:49:41]>> This is plenty. Watching you guys be unproductive.

[00:50:01]>> Why do you guys hate the camera so much?

[00:50:07]Your attitude says otherwise though.

[00:50:10]Or you just hate the public.

[00:50:12]Cuz you hate one or the other or both.

[00:50:14]No?

[00:50:16]Shitty attitude.

[00:50:19]Public servant.

[00:50:25]Blah blah blah.

[00:51:09]You'll be the thumbnail.

[00:51:11]You get that honor.

[00:51:30]Follow later.

[00:51:39]>> I didn't know. Well, see he told me he said I was okay to be here.

[00:51:47]Okay, I'll be here. here.

[00:51:50]Okay.

[00:51:52]Yes, sir.

[00:51:54]Yes, I'm going to go check it out.

[00:52:21]The police Whoa!

[00:52:23]Bro. Wow, yeah?

[00:52:25]>> Yeah.

[00:52:27]>> Nice. What's your name and badge number, dude?

[00:52:29]>> Smith, 22444.

[00:52:30]>> Cool. All right. Handsy [ __ ] You're a little [ __ ] dude. That was a [ __ ] move. I had my back turned to you.

[00:52:40]You're a little sucker, you know that?

[00:52:42]That's a complaint on your ass. And all of you guys, you just stand there and watch him? Is that okay to you guys that he did that?

[00:52:49]>> When you're recording people privately >> Hey, it's your job to close it, right?

[00:52:53]You're a little [ __ ] dude. You're a little [ __ ] you, dude. A reasonable officer would turn around and de-escalate. Shame on you. Shame on you. Shame on you for making excuses. What's your name and badge number?

[00:53:05]>> Maddox, 25640.

[00:53:07]>> What about you?

[00:53:08]>> Sanchez, 251.

[00:53:09]>> Cool.

[00:53:10]We'll include all of you guys.

[00:53:12]Cool. Dude.

[00:53:14]That was a [ __ ] move, dude.

[00:53:16]Oh, cuz you don't know how to close your laptop.

[00:53:19]Is it my fault you guys didn't close it and you're going to shove me in the back, you little >> Get out the way.

[00:53:24]>> You you shoved me in the back, dude.

[00:53:27]You're a little That was a [ __ ] move. Hope you know that.

[00:53:32]I know you don't give a Your disdain for the public sucks. And you suck as an officer.

[00:53:38]You you suck as an officer because you're okay with it.

[00:53:41]You and your little gang.

[00:53:43]>> Hey, man. Kyler says they don't want us on property.

[00:53:46]>> Okay. [clears throat] Cool.

[00:53:49]>> Stay down.

[00:53:50]>> Yep.

[00:53:51]>> Thank you.

[00:53:51]Doesn't mean keep taking photos. You need to leave.

[00:53:53]>> Oh.

[00:53:54]You're an [ __ ] dude.

[00:53:56]>> Leave the property.

[00:53:56]>> You're a [ __ ] [ __ ] you.

[00:53:58]>> When we talk about police interactions, one thing should be clear. Law enforcement works for us. We pay for their salaries, their equipment, and everything they use. So, why do so many officers act like they're above the people they're supposed to serve? That's exactly what happened in this incident at the end of 2023. A citizen was out recording, which is 100% legal under the First Amendment, when he was met with hostility from officers, particularly Officer Smith. Instead of handling the situation with professionalism, Smith shoved the citizen from behind. An unnecessary and aggressive move that escalated the situation. It didn't stop there. When the citizen called them out for their attitude, they stood around dismissing his concerns, refusing to take accountability. And here's the kicker. When public employees claim they have a right to privacy while working in a public space, that's just nonsense. If they want privacy, it's their job to close their own screens, not demand that the public stop recording. The moment you wear that badge, you're accountable to the public.

[00:55:01]What we saw in this video wasn't just an abuse of authority. It was a total disregard for the rights of the people.

[00:55:07]When officers act this way, they're not just violating public trust, they're stepping into dangerous territory that could violate civil rights under the 14th Amendment. If we don't hold them accountable, who will? Know your rights, stand your ground, and always record.

[00:55:22]It's the best tool we have against misconduct.

[00:55:25]>> with the public when you coming out. You just ran the light. People walking on the crosswalk, and you on your bull and you don't even want to acknowledge me.

[00:55:33]You a >> My lights were on, though, right?

[00:55:35]>> What?

[00:55:36]>> I turned my lights on.

[00:55:37]>> Yeah. coming.

[00:55:38]>> And as soon as you turned on your lights, YOU HIT YOUR GAS FROM ZERO TO AT LEAST 30.

[00:55:44]What do you mean no? No, really? No?

[00:55:47]I was on the crosswalk and I have the right away. And for you to run the light like THAT AND NOT GIVE PEOPLE A chance to walk, you are Yo.

[00:55:57]Yo, I Yo, I'm formally requesting your supervisor.

[00:56:01]Excuse me.

[00:56:03]I'm formally requesting your supervisor.

[00:56:05]What's your name and badge number?

[00:56:08]>> Hold on a minute. I'll give you my name right now.

[00:56:09]>> Yeah, your name I want your supervisor.

[00:56:11]That's what I want.

[00:56:16]That If you would have hit me, then what?

[00:56:18]>> Well, you wouldn't have hit you though.

[00:56:19]>> What? I You didn't hit me cuz I moved out the way.

[00:56:23]That's why you ain't hit me.

[00:56:25]I am requesting your supervisor.

[00:56:37]What's your name and badge number, officer?

[00:56:39]>> 4940 >> Can I get your supervisor, please?

[00:56:42]Cuz cuz you That That's a gross misuse of tax dollars what you're doing.

[00:56:47]>> Come over here.

[00:56:48]>> No, no, right here, ma'am. Please.

[00:56:50]>> Where are we going? I got to put the car in park. We're going to go far.

[00:56:52]>> I need you to call your supervisor cuz there's about to be a It's about to be a problem.

[00:56:57]>> That's free gas.

[00:56:58]>> It's about to be a problem out here.

[00:57:01]Yeah, taxpayers pay for that gas. Y'all don't care about tax funds, though.

[00:57:06]No, ain't no call the precinct. I need your supervisor.

[00:57:10]Look, I'M ASKING I'M FORMALLY ASKING for her supervisor and she's and she's refusing to get me a supervisor.

[00:57:29]>> Cuz I want to Let's what he got to say.

[00:57:33]I've been there.

[00:57:33]>> Officer Briscoe 4940 is her badge number.

[00:57:41]>> Excuse me, officer.

[00:57:44]Woah, woah. Yo, DON'T GET A ATTITUDE WITH ME. Don't get a attitude. YO, YOU WORK FOR ME. DON'T GET A ATTITUDE. YOU WORK FOR ME. Who you work for? I'M A TAXPAYER. WHO YOU WORK FOR? Who pay your bills? Taxpayers. Give me your supervisor, servant. Give me your supervisor, servant.

[00:58:01]>> Wait a minute. You pulled over me for >> She's a piece Yo, dude, right now she I was just walking down the crosswalk, right? I had the light. She from zero to six from zero to 30 miles an hour, she hit her sirens, immediately hit the gas, and almost hit me. I'm just walking, minding my business, and then this don't even got the courtesy TO APOLOGIZE A PIECE OF YOU ARE PIECE OF LOWLIFE SCUM OF THE EARTH.

[00:58:26]Scum of the earth. All you are is A IS A TAX IS A IS A IS A MONEY GENERATOR FOR THE STATE. THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE. You piece of >> Please, calm down, brother.

[00:58:36]>> Is your supervisor coming?

[00:58:38]All right. All right.

[00:58:40]I'mma let him know what a piece of you are. That's what I'mma do.

[00:58:45]>> Please, calm down, brother.

[00:58:46]>> Ain't no calm I I I don't have to calm down. She She She was I ain't going to prison. I'm not doing nothing wrong.

[00:58:53]Are you the Are you the supervisor?

[00:58:55]I All I got to do is give you 10 ft.

[00:58:57]Don't tell me to back up. Don't tell me to back up cuz you going to get me pissed off out of here.

[00:59:02]You mean BACK UP? SHE ALMOST HIT ME WITH HER CAR AND WHEN I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY, I would accept walk when I was on the crosswalk. And her her can't even apologize to the public.

[00:59:19]>> What's up, brother?

[00:59:23]>> I'm just a person that came by that using my good choice of words here.

[00:59:27]>> Oh, here we go.

[00:59:28]>> You being recorded?

[00:59:29]>> That's all I know.

[00:59:30]>> So, are you.

[00:59:30]>> Okay. So, what's up?

[00:59:31]>> You're actually live on YouTube.

[00:59:32]>> What's the problem?

[00:59:33]>> That that she's a piece I'm walking I'm walking down the crosswalk with the right away and from one second to another she blared her lights and almost hit me. She's supposed to give the the the pedestrians the right away no matter what the situation is. And I came and approached her, she couldn't even apologize. ALL SHE DID was ignore me and try to you know what I mean try to belittle me. And I'm I'm [ __ ] upset cuz she is a tyrant. Are you a tyrant, sir? What's your name and badge number?

[00:59:59]>> Sergeant Garcia.

[00:59:59]>> Badge number?

[01:00:01]>> You can see it right here.

[01:00:01]>> Listen, I I I don't like to talk about myself but I can't read. I'm a little dyslexic. Can you help me out? Thank you cuz that's what you're supposed to do.

[01:00:08]You're supposed to articulate it, right?

[01:00:10]>> I just have to show it to you.

[01:00:11]>> Come on, man. It's policy. I read the policy.

[01:00:13]>> telling you what it is, okay?

[01:00:14]>> I'm telling you what it is.

[01:00:15]>> what do you want to do?

[01:00:16]>> I want to file a complaint on >> Did she hit you?

[01:00:18]>> She almost did.

[01:00:19]>> Did she hit you?

[01:00:20]>> She almost did. That is gross negligence. She's supposed to So, it sounds like you're a piece of [ __ ] too, man.

[01:00:26]>> Excuse me. I'm going to write down your >> It sound like you're a piece. I know I know I know CCRB's number.

[01:00:30]>> So, so then what do you need?

[01:00:31]>> I need I need I need a report filed on her.

[01:00:33]>> For what?

[01:00:34]>> Did you Yo, how many times do I got to keep saying here? I don't repeat myself.

[01:00:38]>> Did she hit you?

[01:00:39]>> So, so is a problem as long as she don't It ain't a problem if she don't hit you.

[01:00:42]>> You want to file a complaint against her? No problem.

[01:00:44]>> Yo, all I was looking for all I was looking for for her to say, "You know what, sir? You're right. I'm sorry. I didn't see you there." Then that is all good. But for me to come and she try to ignore me and walk away from me like like if I'm I'm not at the end of the day you you you y'all all work for me.

[01:01:01]All of y'all work for me. I'm a taxpaying citizen.

[01:01:04]>> What I did?

[01:01:06]What I did?

[01:01:07]>> 298. Really?

[01:01:08]>> That's the number to CCRB. You want to call? There's You got a badge number?

[01:01:11]>> Yo, what's your name and badge number, sir?

[01:01:13]>> Sir, you have it right here.

[01:01:15]>> Sir, you're supposed to articulate your name and badge number.

[01:01:18]>> Here you go.

[01:01:18]>> Say it again. I'm sorry.

[01:01:20]You're a Yo, yo, y'all Now, yeah, now she apologized, right? She's a Just like the other two that just got here.

[01:01:29]Yo, what kind of gross negligence is this? I DON'T GIVE A [ __ ] ABOUT THE PUBLIC.

[01:01:36]YEAH, THEY OUT OF HERE. YOU AIN'T GOING TO COME TO ME WITH THAT BULL. YOU GOT the right one, mother Yo, if you want to If If you want to If you want to illegally arrest me, then I'm fine. If you WANT TO ILLEGALLY ARREST ME, ANYTHING I can see Yo, anything I can see I can record. I don't care what you say. I really don't care what you say. I don't care what you say.

[01:02:19]You're a piece of I don't care what you say.

[01:02:22]YOU'RE A [ __ ] TYRANT. YOU [ __ ] YOU ARE A TYRANT. I DON'T GIVE A [ __ ] IF I'M ON CAMERA. OBVIOUSLY, YOU DO, YOU [ __ ] cockhead. [ __ ] you.

[01:02:32]>> This situation shows why it's so important to know your rights when interacting with law enforcement, especially when something goes wrong.

[01:02:40]Here, the person was walking in a crosswalk with the right of way, but the officer's actions put them in a dangerous position.

[01:02:46]It highlights how essential it is to stay calm and assert your rights in situations like this, even if things feel heated. The key takeaway is that when you're crossing the street or simply going about your day, you have the right to be safe, and police should respect that.

[01:03:02]If you feel like you've been wronged, whether it's by an officer or anyone else, knowing how to handle the situation can make all the difference.

[01:03:09]This person knew their rights, asked for the supervisor, and filmed the interaction, which can be a game-changer.

[01:03:16]Filming not only protects you, but can be vital if things get twisted later.

[01:03:21]Real-life examples like this show how things can go sideways fast, but with a clear head, you can stand your ground.

[01:03:28]Of course, always be respectful in your approach. You don't want to escalate things unnecessarily, but at the same time, don't let your rights get trampled on. If you feel something's wrong, don't be afraid to ask for accountability, whether it's asking for a supervisor or filing a complaint. Always remember, police officers work for the public, and knowing how to navigate these situations can help you protect yourself and your rights in everyday encounters.