Well, we got called here because you're video taping stuff and they asked you to leave and you have not. >> I I didn't go on their property or on their property. I know I'm an independent journalist gathering content for a story. >> What's your story? >> ill intent. I'm not on you guys' property. I wasn't rude. There's no need to detain. >> That's okay. >> When a law-savvy citizen encounters officers accused of overstepping their authority, cameras do more than record the scene. They can become evidence of the legal consequences that may follow. >> I have weird questions when she shows up here. I mean, it's just it sounds like you're trying to rob the bank. >> I'm in control. I mean, come on. >> I mean, you trying to rob us. Are you trying to rob me? You walk out here. I'm on public property. [music] You asking me all these personal questions. What are you trying to do to me? >> A simple act of filming in public suddenly became a test of authority as a law-savvy citizen faced suspicion and pressure. And any action that crosses the line of lawful authority may carry serious legal consequences. Simply because a camera was pointed toward a bank, a man suddenly found himself treated like a suspect. There was no clear evidence, no violent behavior. But it was the officer's next move that truly set the situation on fire. >> Black male, white t-shirt, gray pants, straw hat. What's going on, sir? >> Can I get your name and badge number just so I can know who I'm speaking to? >> Yeah, it's Officer Hall 5826. >> Great. >> 242 copy 355. >> All right. >> Hi. >> Hi. This wonderful gentleman has sit out here recording the inside of my branch. >> Okay. Did he say why? >> Great. How you doing, sir? Can I get your name and badge number just so I can know who I'm speaking to? >> Right here. I don't want to butcher it. How do you say that? >> Okay. >> Hey, what's going on? Why are you out here filming? >> No, I'm trying to I'm trying to let Let identify this guy like his policy says. Can I get your name and badge number, sir, please? >> 50113 So, what are you doing here? >> Uh how can I help you guys? How you doing, sir? Can I get your name and badge number just so I can know who I'm speaking to? I don't want to butcher it. How do you say that? >> Hey, what's going on? Why are you out here filming all this? >> I'm just trying to I'm just trying to ID this guy. Like his policy says, can I get your name and badge number, sir, please? Thank you so much for being professional. Uh how can I help you guys? >> Well, we got called here because you're videotaping stuff and they asked you to leave and you have not. >> I I didn't go on their property or on their property. >> Okay, well, we also received another call from another bank of you doing the exact same thing about 30 minutes ago. >> Okay, I'm on the sidewalk. >> So, what are you doing? >> I'm recording. >> Why? >> I let the guy know I'm an independent journalist gathering content for a story. >> What's your story? >> I have no ill intent. I'm not on you guys' property. I'm on the sidewalk. >> Well, what's what's the story? >> I told him I can't say. It's not public knowledge yet. >> Okay, but do you understand how it's weird to film a bank? >> not. Do you understand how it's legal for me to record on a public sidewalk? >> Okay, well, they're saying they asked you to leave and you would not. >> Cuz I'm on a public sidewalk. >> You're still in the parking lot. >> I'm on a public sidewalk. >> They own all the way. >> Sir, I'm on Can I get a supervisor around here, please? Let's get a supervisor. >> Okay, well, we need to get your information. >> Absolutely not. >> Okay. Then we'll put your hands >> And this is an illegal detainment. >> It's not. You're not under arrest, you're just being detained. We Okay, well, we need to get your information. >> Absolutely not. >> Okay. This is an illegal detainment. >> Oh, really? >> You're not under arrest, you're just being detained. We will >> And you stopped my camera. >> Okay, look. Body camera's activated. >> Yeah, you can't stop my camera. >> There was no evidence, no clear criminal accusation, yet the man was treated as though he had already broken the law. And then, once his camera was removed from the equation, the officers began making demands that pushed the entire encounter into far more dangerous territory. >> Hey, don't let him >> Don't let him record? >> You're being detained right now, and I said this is all captured on body camera. >> Okay. Like I can't go to your house and record inside your house. I let them know I'm an independent journalist gathering content for a story on a public sidewalk. There's no expectation of privacy. And that's absolutely fine. This is what I do. >> We're going to walk over there. >> I'm going. >> We're just going to go to the front. >> Illegal. We was waiting on the supervisor. I wasn't running. No need to detain. >> That's okay. But we are going to identify you. >> Absolutely not. >> Okay. >> To identify me, you got to give me a crime committed. >> Okay. >> No crime. Mine is no crime. You know there's no ID. Reasonable articulable suspicion of a crime. Yeah. Guys must be ruthless. Come on, get Porter out here. Get uh What's your What's your other guy's supervisor's name? >> From the moment officers declared that he was being detained, his explanations no longer seemed to be treated as the exercise of a lawful right. And it was then that he made a demand that raised the stakes even higher. Someone needed to determine who was actually misunderstanding the law. >> You don't have anything better to do? >> This is I'm working. This is my job. >> What's your name? >> know that I'm an independent journalist gathering content for a story. Now the story is different. It's going to be on you guys, man, cuz you you illegally detained me. You said it's fine. This is still considered arrest if it's illegal. >> Who do you work for? >> I'm independent. >> You're independent? So you just write your own stories? >> And I publish them. I told them give me a business card, I send them the story. I'm just walking down the sidewalk in public. That's what I do, man. Yeah. Still been educating them. Asking for a supervisor. >> Supervisor's on the way. >> I asked for a supervisor. Every time I ask for a supervisor, they get nervous and cuff me. I wasn't running. I was waiting on I was I stayed here this long to wait on you guys. Hold on. I'm running. Why would you cuff me? Why would you detain me? You can't just hold somebody. So, what are you detaining me for? >> Cuz they said that you've been on their property. >> That's what They can't just say that. They got to show you. Cuz they said? >> Okay. >> You even said it. >> guys are broke. What's your information? You have to give it now. >> Reasonable articulable suspect. Failure to ID is a secondary crime. I got to first commit a crime to have to identify. >> Okay, can I tell you what >> Everything seemed to be moving in a direction that would work against the man. But after just a brief exchange with a supervisor, the sergeant's hesitation revealed a much larger problem. As if he had suddenly realized that something about the way the situation had been handled was not quite right. >> How you doing, sir? >> All right. >> Um he's going to talk to you in a second. >> Hold on. >> Okay. So, this call comes out, he's video taping stuff, and then there's a opinion call from 30 minutes ago, 40 minutes ago. She's supposed to dupe it. Uh he's doing the same thing at a bank off Ward Parkway. They called, video taping, blah blah blah. So, manager here says that he's out front, a lady comes into the store and complains on him and says he's video taping me, video taping, whatever. So, she walks out. She says, "Sir, this is a bank. We have like security measures. You can't video tape the bank." And she's like, "You have to leave." And he says, "Nope, not leaving." And she's like, "Okay, well, you you have to." She told him twice to leave. So, she's going to get security. We come out here and he's just video taping. Well, give me his information. So, I told him now he's being detained cuz it's Why is he video taping banks? And they asked him to leave twice, and he refused to leave. >> him for trespassing or are you citing him for trespassing or So Sorry, but you think I just think it's why would you be videotaping these like banks? >> No, I >> And he but he has to give his information and he's refusing to give information. >> No, I understand for detaining him to get his information, but I mean are they going to press any charges for trespassing? >> She says they would. >> Okay. Okay. >> Do you have a fingerprint reader? >> We wanted to talk to him. >> Um As he's video As soon as we got here, he's like asking for all of our information and then finally when he like wouldn't give us anything, I said, "Hey man, you're being detained." And then he immediately was just like, "Supervisor, supervisor." He's kind of playing this whole weird I don't know if he's doing it like a lot of people on social media, you know, where like you walk up and they're just immediately >> All right. >> So if you want to you want to talk to you and maybe if we have a fingerprint reader >> This is our >> How you doing, sir? Can I get your name and badge number just so I understand who I'm speaking with as far as your badge number and your badge number? Again, I just came out today doing some public photography. I'm an independent journalist here gathering content for a story. I've only been on this side >> At first, the inquiry with bank employees seemed likely to validate the officers' actions, but as each detail came to light, the supervisor appeared increasingly hesitant, as though he was beginning to see signs that a decision may have gone beyond its proper limits. >> And this is your property? >> All of this. As far as I know, we own all of this. >> Well, I mean this is a public sidewalk. >> From an image from our corporate office is this is property that we own all the way down to the back parking lot and around. >> Well, I mean there's going to be an a city easement on it. I mean at your house, my house here. I mean him filming from a city sidewalk is much different than him being inside your lobby >> Right. Which I get, but when the customer is saying >> I understand that this is what the institution is. I mean, it's just it's it's weird. And whether he's doing a story or not, >> Right. >> I don't know. >> And then to go from one bank to another after we just >> And ask where employees park to record their cars and plates? >> So, how did he ask that? He never >> He asked me specifically where the employees park. >> Where were you at Where were did that transpire or did that happen? >> I I walked with him back and forth along here. >> Yeah, I mean, obviously, hopefully you didn't answer him. I mean, but >> No, I told him that I didn't give him any of that information. >> I told him that >> he started walking over and recording >> Problem is, I mean, he can stand >> Yeah, he can he can stand across the street and still do that. >> Yeah. >> You know, I mean, I mean, if he came on your I mean, your property >> I don't know I don't know where he parked. >> and are willing to >> He did come up I I don't know if he stepped I again, I don't know where that begins. If he was if he touched this area or that he stayed on there. But he he was up against this window. >> I just feel like I mean, >> Yeah, I have no problem talking to him. >> He has to. I think he has to. I didn't know at the time. >> He didn't what? >> We'll talk about it. >> Oh, you don't have his his information? >> So, no, that's what I'm telling you. He won't give it. >> I'll see. >> And I'm telling you he's being detained cuz it's an investigation. >> No, I understand that. >> And that's what I'm getting at is he will not give it to me. This is a classic case of Casey. >> I mean, it is, but it's very >> And the fact that he was just at another branch, another bank. >> And what happened at that one, do you know? >> I No, I'm just saying that he just came from another bank. >> Is that a call pending or >> Yeah, so that's what I'm saying. The other bank that called me pending for like that came out at 13:59. >> It seemed the entire situation was firmly under police control, but the man's warnings began to change the atmosphere at the scene. And from that moment on, the handcuffs on his wrists no longer looked like the end of the story. >> [music] >> They looked like the first piece of evidence in a very different one. >> No, though. They want you trespassed. So, I'm saying if you come back to the bank, you will go to jail. >> at the bank. >> Okay, you're not under You can be running your mouth. So, you're not under arrest right now, but I'm telling you they want you verbally trespassed. >> at the bank. >> So, if we leave and you come back >> I'm not at the bank. >> I'm saying if you come back to the bank >> bank. I'm never was at the bank. >> All right, will you understand you'll go to jail if you come back. >> that's just >> Yeah. >> Let's just end our O'Halloran. public >> Let's get off our property. >> Look at O'Halloran. I got you. You know what I'm saying? You know this last time you seen me, Miss O'Halloran? Well, this is not the last time you seen me, O'Halloran. You good? >> I'm telling you they want you verbally trespassed. >> I'm not at the bank. >> and you come back and you come back >> I'm not at the bank. >> I'm saying if you come back to the bank >> at the bank. I'm never was at the bank. >> All right, will you understand you'll go to jail if you come back. >> He gets it. That's just >> Yeah. >> Let's just end our >> Keep your hands on your back so we can get both cuffs off. O'Halloran. And >> Yeah, he just cuffed me, y'all. Just her right here. Don't know the law, and she turned my camera on. That's my camera just >> You get back to the the cuff. >> The handcuffs may come off, but the consequences of an abuse of authority are not so easily undone. Because when human rights are disregarded, the damage extends far beyond one individual. It strikes at society's trust in justice itself. Next, a single camera outside a bank was enough to make tension skyrocket. The moment a request was refused, a call to the police was made, and from there, the situation began spiraling beyond anyone's control. >> I'm sorry. What are you saying? >> Can I help you guys with something? >> I can barely hear you, man. >> Can I help you guys with something? >> Uh yeah, can Can you help tie my shoe, man? >> No. >> No? >> Why are you guys here? >> We're just recording. >> Recording what? >> Just surveying the bank. >> Cuz you're on private property, too. >> No, we're not. >> Yes, she is. >> This is the public easement. >> Why would you ask me to help tie your shoe? >> I mean, you asked how can you help me? >> Yeah. We want We want to know why you're here. >> Oh, you didn't say that. You said how can you help me? I'm just I'm just recording, man. All right. I'm just receiving the video, man. For myself. Is that okay? >> You can't actually video the bank. >> Say that again. >> It's against the law to video the bank. >> I'm not trying to break no laws or nothing like that. >> are. Cuz you're videoing the bank, and everybody that goes through the drive-thru, everybody that goes in the doors. >> Uh-huh. >> It's against the law. >> What law is that? >> It's a bank. >> Okay, but but what law is that though you said we're we're breaking? >> Because you're getting like everybody's plates. >> I'm not recording. >> people go through the bank. >> Uh-huh. It's like you're trying to rob somebody. It's weird. >> No, man. >> Hold on. I'll just call my cop friend and see what she says and get them out of here cuz this is ridiculous. >> Here, you want us to You ain't got to call the cops, man. Why you doing all this [ __ ] >> Because I'm a [ __ ] cop, too. >> Well, that's man, you ain't got to do all that then, man. That's okay. Just We ain't going to do We ain't not going to be long. Just a couple hours. We just going to be a couple hours, man. You ain't got to do Yeah. >> This is the whole point. >> Well, and what is your name? >> You don't need to know. >> What's your name? >> You don't need to know that. So, you can't tell me your badge number? >> He's not a cop. He's not a cop. You ain't got to do that, man. We're just going to be here maybe like an hour or so, man. I get about it. >> It doesn't make sense why you're even out here. The ladies are in here freaking out. >> It seemed the situation would end with a simple call to the police, but the security guard's behavior only grew tense and confrontational. Accusation after accusation followed, and within minutes the encounter had taken on the feel of a conflict that could erupt at any moment. >> You're asking the same weird questions cuz when she shows up here I mean, it this it sounds like you're trying to rob the bank. >> Yeah, I don't know where you get that from, man. >> You just asked me the floor plan if the [ __ ] vault is even controlled by remote control. I mean, come on. >> I mean, you trying to rob us. Are you trying to rob me? You walk out here. I'm on public property. You asking me all these personal questions. What are you trying to do to me? >> So, you beat your ass. >> Yeah, he said your ass. Okay. >> But you sit here and call me a gang banger. >> Yeah, you sound like one, man. >> I can I'm I'm a gang banger? >> Yeah. >> Hello? What's your location? >> We We got a Darren. >> And I got some two people sitting here with Darren, so I was nice freaking out about it. So we made her talk to her. Asked me to write her a statement. Yeah, I can do >> Two of them. Leave them alone. >> They did ask. That's why I'm here. >> They going to tell She going to tell you to leave them alone. >> They're still going to complain though. >> So we got a Darren. He right here. He's calling a woman. Nothing wrong with that, but he's he's calling a >> Dad Karen? >> He's a Darren. >> He's got a dad Karen? >> Yeah. Yeah, Karen's brother, twin brother, Darren. >> All right, that's what I needed >> [sighs] >> All right, so he says if they asked me to ask you to leave and you guys didn't leave, you're trespassing. >> Yeah, if we on the property. But we never get No, this is part of public easement, sir. >> No, sir. >> Yeah, okay. >> property. >> Okay. >> Where is the Where is he supposed to walk? Ain't nowhere for you to walk in the street. >> No. >> Just as the situation seemed ready to spiral out of control, police finally arrived on the scene. But what they said after stepping into the bank sent the entire encounter in a direction no one saw coming. >> She's going in where the partner went in there. They started on the inside. >> If you had >> happen when they come out here. See what they say in here. >> Right here in the street. >> So we got her We got these officers that were dispatched actually about to approach us. And let us just see how they actually handle this call. They got their game plan and of course we have ours. >> All right, so we know the drill. We know you doing, okay? We're fine with it. >> Hey, real quick. >> Miller, St. Joe Police Department. >> Thank you for being professional. >> This is Officer Wyman, St. Joe Police >> Thank you for being professional. >> So, in addition, our badge [clears throat] numbers 145, but um they just give out the badges, so we have a code and it's five Mine's 509682. >> I appreciate Do you actually have a card on you? >> I do not, but I can get you one in my car. >> If you would do that, I I appreciate You You got one handy? Look at you. Appreciate that. >> This is a little bit more square away. I just got my my a bunch of them that you got to hand fill out. >> Uh-huh. >> Um so, I kind of went in and told the uh staff that what you guys are doing but it's from public view. >> Okay. >> As long as they just don't want you to step on the property. >> We told we wasn't going to do that. >> Perfect. So, and then as long as you guys aren't out in the street or something. >> Yeah, I was standing right here. He actually thought I was on their property. I let him know this is the public easement. I came from that way and and and and the sidewalk stays away. >> To be completely honest, I wasn't for sure about this, but that's what I told them. >> Yeah. >> I believe the edge of their property They might own it, but it's still public. >> It's public easement. There you go. >> Just like uh utilities and stuff like that. >> Absolutely. >> We're fine with you being here. Just don't be in the road for me, okay? >> I ain't going to. We not going to be in the road. We understand it. I appreciate you. >> Their concern is just like um their concern is like, "Are you guys out here recording?" >> No, no, no, I'm not asking. >> Uh-huh. >> Like, "Are you out here recording cuz you're getting ready to rob the bank or are you truly exercising your First Amendment right?" >> I just don't want to answer no questions. >> Oh, no, no, I'm not I'm not asking. I'm just saying that's what >> Oh, okay. Oh. >> That's what their concern is. >> After tensions rose to a point where an arrest seemed almost inevitable, police ultimately reached a conclusion that left bank staff with little to say. Then, after a few brief remarks, the officers left the scene, leaving behind one lingering question. Who had been wrong from the very beginning? >> Now, well, and we did tell him that, um, with you recording his van, his face, anything like that, >> It's from public view, so, I mean, we have the First Amendment right that protects >> go. It's protected >> It's protected. Look at you, man. Oh, this man is good. >> Now, you guys Where are you guys from St. Joe? You don't have to answer that. >> I I'm I'm from Earth. >> Okay. >> Where are you from? >> St. Joe. >> Okay. And you? >> Earth. >> Okay. >> She's not >> Man. >> I was just I was just curious cuz I do other gentlemen, >> Uh-huh. >> other individuals that do a lot of First Amendment audits, >> Uh-huh. >> what they call it. >> Okay. >> Second Amendment audits. I I love that. >> Okay. Okay. Oh, yeah. Most definitely. >> Yeah. >> Mr. Miller. >> So, I try to learn, too, from other officers when they're not really doing the right thing. >> Mhm. >> I try to do the right thing when I >> That's what's up, Mr. Miller, man. How long have you been on the force? >> Uh, not long. Under a year. >> Under a year? >> so. >> You >> He's got it. >> Yeah, I can tell, man. He got a bright future. I I promise. >> I was prior military, so, I mean, I fought for our rights >> I salute you twice, man. >> First Amendment, so >> Oh, yeah. So, yeah, you had to take the oath twice. >> I did. Yeah, I took the oath twice. >> Oh, yeah. Did you get to edu- This is the guy we actually really need to educate him right there. Did he get the education? Okay. >> They're going to be out here. They're going to take pictures of you guys, too. >> And it just it's really important they know because he's ready to like go hands-on >> Yeah, he was a little >> with somebody on the public. So, and I'm letting him know that's a crime. >> Oh, and we told him that. >> That you made a You made You made a threat several times, so, but >> he can't do that. You have every right to be out there filming. >> All right, there we go. Well, I'm not going to be long. We're not going to be long out here. They said they was calling you. I didn't want to run and have you guys looking for us, so, I wanted to hang tight. Oh, yeah. >> I don't understand though why you picked wintertime to do this. >> [laughter] >> I was We was just walking. I'm walking to the store and we seen a couple people looking so we just taking pictures and then he pulled up and here we are. So. >> In the end, no arrest was made and the tension gradually faded away. But the incident also serves as a reminder that misunderstandings of the law and emotional reactions can easily lead to conflicts that never needed to happen in the first place. Citizens can sue police under [music] section 1983 when their rights are violated. Officers who violate those rights may face compensation payouts, disciplinary action, or even termination. A lack of legal understanding and a moment of anger can turn an ordinary situation into a conflict that harms others. Hey everyone, what do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and support us with a donation. Thank you so much. >> [music]