You can certainly film, but you just can't. >> I don't need to be told that. Okay. >> I don't need to be told that. >> Okay. I'm just going to follow you around for a while then. Oh, >> okay. Well, you want to babysit me? >> No, I'm just going to make sure that you >> Should I get my dog leash and put it around your neck? >> Sure, if you want. >> Yeah. >> A camera, a citizen who knew the law and a situation where the officer's own actions could become evidence of abuse of power and the legal consequences that followed. >> Listen, you don't intimidate me whatsoever. >> You don't either, too. >> These people are acting cordial. Your attitude is going to get somebody hurt one day. So, just behave yourself. Act like a public servant. >> One simple act of filming inside a public building was enough to make authority tense up. But when the cameraman knew the law, every action that crossed the line could become legal evidence. Two men had barely raised their cameras outside a government complex when suspicious eyes from inside quickly turned everything into a red flag. And once the first call was made, the question became clear. Would the right to film in public be respected or treated like a threat? >> Law enforcement complex here. You can see there's some uh sheriff's officers. It appears to be over there. Could be uh jail guards if this is a jail. This ladyy's staring at us on the phone over here. some kind of badge on her belt. I'm not sure if she's uh with the sheriff's department or some kind of uh worker for the juvenile detention center here. After that suspicious call, all eyes turned to the arrival of police. But instead of a tense show of force, the officer's first reaction made the situation more unpredictable than ever. >> Oh no. back phone call because uh they're just concerned about this. >> Name and badge number. >> Kyle Craig 133. >> 133. Appreciate that. No problem. >> So, how can I help you? >> Oh, someone's just wondering what you're doing. >> Oh, okay. >> That's it. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> What are you guys doing? >> So, who's wondering? Are you wondering or somebody else wondering? >> Someone else. >> Oh, okay. Well, they they can ask me if they want. >> It sounds like they did. >> I couldn't I can't hear you. >> I'm sorry, sir. They sound like they did and then you wouldn't provide an answer and that's why I'm here. >> Nobody spoke to me. Okay. All >> righty. Well, >> no, we've been recording since we got here. So, >> okay. >> Any issue with recording here? >> No, not at all. I have no issue with that. >> Yeah, I'm just It's public property. >> Long as we don't go inside. >> You can go inside. That's the best part, too. It's part of the county. >> Well, we they right now I guess they're restricting access because of the home situation that's going on. Okay. >> So, normally I would go inside. >> They have the door lock and you know, whatever else. >> Are they just restricting you from going outside because not wearing masks or The signs on the door say that they're restricting access to appointments. >> Okay. >> Uh because of the situation we're in. So, >> Gotcha. >> So, we're just taking a >> All right, cool. You can let her know. It's all good. >> Okay. This guy's ducking behind the corner taking video of us. It's not bothering me, man. >> You're you're working at all. Somebody gone in advance. Why wouldn't you just approach somebody and ask them what they're doing? >> What are you guys doing here? >> Well, now it's too late to ask now. You >> Oh, okay. >> You know, I mean, if if you would have just walked up and asked me what I'm doing, I would have been happy to tell you. >> My boss actually did that. >> Your boss walked up to me and asked me what I was doing. >> Yeah. You crushed her when she came walking up? >> Never happened. I've been filming since I got here. Never happened. I never spoke to anybody. Nobody ever asked me a question. I would have been happy to, but you know, calling calling the sheriff on somebody for taking pictures is a little extreme. >> When you're around a juvenile detention, >> I just can't hear you. I'm sorry. >> When you're around a juvenile detention facility and an adult facility, you know, we those are start because normally people are, you know, videotaping, you know, jails and stuff. >> Well, Google does it all the time. I can go online and look at Google Maps of the whole property, the whole area. Nothing. There's no nothing secret. Can I just get your name in? >> Just when it seemed like the situation had been handled with calm, one unexpected arrival instantly changed the atmosphere. With just a few steps closer, the line between conversation and confrontation began to stretch tight. >> My name is Sher Espinosa. My I my badge number is Jason. >> Jason, thank you very much. I appreciate that. >> Good. Sherry, >> we're good. Are you good? >> I'm good. >> Yeah. I would just suggest next time somebody's walking around, just ask them what they're doing. Okay. >> Right. Just have a cordial conversation and ask. I mean, that's, you know, >> you guys have any questions for me? >> No, not at all. Oh, well, you got another one coming in. That's a waste of resources. There's no there's no reason to be doing that. >> Like I said, I mean, I wish you would have just come out and asking respect. >> Well, I'm asking you respect right now. >> Well, what I'm doing is taking some video. >> Okay. >> Is there any issue with that? >> I'm just asking for like a documentary or Well, I mean, I choose not to answer certain questions. Okay. >> Um, I will answer certain questions, but some questions I won't answer. But, um, so you're fully aware that we're not doing anything we can't do >> is what you're saying. >> I don't I don't think so. >> So, then why would you call the sheriff? >> I guess. >> Oh, I'm sorry. Sheriff's office next door. >> And uh, can I get your name on this one? >> Your card? >> Yeah. >> Okay, great. There you go. Thank you so much. Can you keep 6 foot distance there? You don't have a mask on. >> You don't either, huh? >> Well, I'm like, you just approached me. I didn't walk up to you. Take your take your attitude. Take your attitude and shove it up your That's what you can do with that. >> I don't put up with attitude. Those acts are bad. >> I'll stick to talking to you two if you have any questions for me. But all we're doing is taking some video, right? So, you know, the attitude and that kind of stuff is what you guys are doing is creating issue. I don't >> I was peacefully I was peacefully out there on the sidewalk taking some video and now there's an issue. >> When the close- in approach turned into pressure, the man with the camera was no longer just recording. He started turning the question back on them. Who was really making a normal situation feel dangerous? >> Reason for any of that your attitude >> talking about you you get you get zero respect. >> I'm telling you, you get zero respect and you get a complaint >> for your attitude. Do you want me to get the uh chief down here or the uh lieutenant or >> you get anybody you anybody you feel like hanging out with. You can call anybody you want. >> Listen, you don't intimidate me whatsoever. >> You don't either, too. These people are acting cordial. Your attitude is going to get somebody hurtful. >> So, just behave yourself. Act like a public servant. Treat the the the people in this town as respect, >> okay? And don't walk up with your attitude because all that does is give me an attitude and then once things go off, it's very hard to get them back in. So, just an attitude. Just stay walk with an attitude. did not look up with an attitude. >> Say it again. >> I did not walk off with an attitude. >> You can say whatever you want. >> He started to grab me a mask. >> You can say whatever you want. You walked up to my face. >> So where's your mask? >> I don't need a mask. I'm outside in the outdoors in the fresh air. But when you walk up a foot away from my face, then you need to have a mask on. Okay. >> Right. Social distancing. Right. Right. >> Right. >> Where's your mask? >> Your your deescalation skills are in the toilet, bro. >> You're asking the same questions. Ask an answer, brother. So go on with your day. Take off. Have a nice day. You're dismissed. Yeah, thanks. >> Heather just start the whole thing to Heather. >> She's got >> you got a bad attitude, Ortiz. >> And those two stripes aren't helping. >> Okay, man. >> What do you mean, okay? Look at Look how you talk. You're like a child. >> All right, bud. >> Is this guy your boss? >> Yeah. >> Y >> I hope you're not learning from this because you seem like a very conscientious, courteous individual. >> Okay. And I maybe you should be his boss. That if it was my boss, that's what I would call it. He came up very courteous, >> very professional. Your attitude is in the garbage. You're going to get people in trouble one day. You're going to wind up getting your own officers hurt one day. >> Just put the attitude in the can. >> There's no need for it. You just keep going, "All right, bro. All right, bro. What are you, moron?" Seriously though, are you like >> Oh, you like slow or something? >> I guess so. >> I guess so. Well, hop back in your car and go slowly down the road so you don't hit me but adios. Have a good day. Oh jeez. Just going to stand around doing nothing. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Part of my head out. >> Well, you take care. >> You have a wonderful day, Officer Craig. And I appreciate you, your courtesy. >> I don't know your name. You probably won't give it to me, but appreciate your time. >> Well, I might have given it to you, but your your superior here has got an attitude problem. I don't have to deal with that. So, appreciate. >> And you know what the serious problem is? Guys like him that start an attitude. Once things go up, it's very hard to get things to come back down. That's why deescalation is such a big part of your policy. The incident did not end with an arrest, but it left behind a clear lesson. One wrong attitude from someone in authority can turn a citizen's rights into a confrontation that never needed to happen. Next, a camera quietly appeared inside a public building, but it quickly changed the entire atmosphere. And when feeling uncomfortable was used as a reason to stop the recording, a confrontation over citizens rights began to unfold. Hello. >> Hey. >> Can you tell me what you're filming for? >> What do you mean? >> Do you work here? >> I do. >> Who are you? >> I am the supervisor for the corporation division. >> Okay. Do you have a name? >> My name is Robin. >> Robin. All right. Um, I always have a purpose. >> Yeah. Give What other question do you have? Well, we It's making staff uncomfortable. >> Oh, okay. That's it. >> That's it. >> So, would you would like me to stop? >> Yes, please. >> Not going to happen. >> All right. But can you tell me what your business is is here today? >> To record. >> To record. >> And take pictures. >> Okay. >> It's a beautiful building. >> All right. >> Anything else? >> I have nothing else. >> Cool. What started with a few uncomfortable looks quickly escalated into a full-blown alarm over nothing more than a camera. And when state police showed up, the bigger question began to surface. Was this truly a danger or just fear of being watched? >> Wow. Did he literally just flip me off? He just flipped me off. Okay, let security come. What is everybody's problem? Incredible. >> No, thank you, ma'am. Appreciate it. >> I guess I'll wait around for security. Of >> course he will. >> [clears throat] >> Oh, I know. I know. But that doesn't necessarily >> right. >> Hurry up. Code four. Code four. Hey. >> Hey. How are you? We We are here. This is where the I know the panic was button pushed in. >> Panic alarm. Wow. >> Yeah. How you doing? >> Over a camera. What's your name? Badge number. >> My name is Chris Rollston. >> Rollston. >> Do you have a badge number? I didn't. >> ID number 814. >> 814. Thank you, sir. >> Yep. What's going on today? >> Panic alarm. >> Yeah. Somebody >> Wow. >> You're causing You're making people nervous. >> Oh, >> it's fine to do. >> Let's waste all resources. >> Yep. It's fine to do what you can certainly film, but just can't. >> I don't need to be told that. >> Okay. >> I don't need to be told that. Go talk to the reporting party. All right. And tell them that the panic alarm is actually for a panic, like an emergency. >> No, I'm not going to do that. You should. >> Okay. I'm just going to follow you around for a while then. >> Oh, okay. Well, you want to babysit me? >> No, I'm just going to make sure that you >> Should I get my dog leash and put it around your neck? >> Sure, if you want. >> Yeah. Walk it like a little puppy. >> Sure. >> Okay. >> Yeah, we're good. >> Okay. >> You can move You can move You can move along now. >> No, I can move along. >> I own this building, so you can move along. >> You're wasting your time right now. There you are. >> Guy stole me >> uh in the third floor. >> Panic alarm, huh? That's sad. [music] Do you know >> he's up close? >> The guy over there, I have a complaint I'd like to file with him. >> Okay. >> He flipped me off, so I'd like him for >> That's okay. >> Just order the contact. >> I don't know. Can I? >> If you flipped him off, you file a complaint against >> Is it a professional? >> It's a free free country. >> It is. >> Yeah. So, they can do what you do to them, they can do to you. >> They do. If they want to videotape you here, if I want to stand here, we can do exactly. >> The right to record had already been acknowledged, but the tension still did not end. And as the entire building along with the sergeant stood around watching one camera, the question of wasted taxpayer resources became impossible to ignore. >> Hit the panic alarm and call state police. >> Yep. 911. >> I should. So, anytime they have a problem with me anywhere in any public building, I should call 911 >> if they're if they feel intimidated or or scared. >> No. If I do, >> you can. Yeah, >> I can. Isn't that like >> But if it's found that that it's not a it's not an issue, you could be charged with with a >> Oh, but they can't. >> Because they're intimidated right now. They're feeling >> They're intimidated. >> Yeah. >> You're obviously not intimidated. >> No, it's fine. >> No, you should know better. Do you even know who I am? >> No, I don't. >> You should. >> Why? >> Because you should. >> Why? >> You should tread carefully. >> Why? >> Cuz you sound stupid. >> All right. >> All right. Party on number three. Huh? >> We're on third floor. >> Third floor. Careful. >> I was just going to stand around now. >> Yep. >> Oh, look at all this waste of tax money. >> I know. Same. >> No. No. >> Waste of tax money on me. >> No. Yeah. You're wasting tax money away. >> I am. >> Yeah. By doing >> by by doing what? Recording in a public building. >> Yeah. You know what you're doing. >> Do I? >> Everybody knows what you're doing. >> You know. Yeah. It's funny how that they bit the bait then, right? And then called you. >> No. That's hilarious. >> You're both intimidated. >> Yeah. It's called law enforcement. Are you feelings police or are you law enforcement? >> I'm sorry. He was When I was first with my father, >> I came up to you. You're going to have to talk to her face to [music] face because she hasn't hear. >> No, I'm sorry. >> You don't want to talk to me now? >> No, I do want to talk to you. >> I'm sorry. I don't have anything to say. >> My dad who was >> I didn't ask you anything. >> He was having chemotherapy and you were recording me. I know that you weren't you were recording me. That makes me very uncomfortable and I I don't think that was very necessary. >> But man, we're in a public building. Maybe he could explain to you rather than me because he's law enforcement. >> Personal [music] conversation. >> You're in a public area. >> Okay. What if we come to your house? And >> are you at my house? Is this your house? >> No. >> Is this your house then? All right. So, it's irrelevant now. Cut it out, dude. >> Stop trying to subside their feelings. >> That's my job. That's what I do. >> No, you enforce law, not feelings, >> right? >> Yeah. I enforcing the law right now. >> No, you're not. Cuz there's no law being broken. >> Okay. You're right. Then I'm just going to stand here with you all. Wherever you go, I'm going to go. >> Okay. Well, you could babysit me all day. What started as a wasteful watch over one camera suddenly turned into a dangerous warning. And when a legal right was dismissed as a game, the line between law enforcement and the threat of arrest began to look dangerously thin. >> Was there a 911 call generated? Oh, just panic alarm. >> Just panic. >> You don't know. Real transparent now, huh? >> Mhm. >> Incredible. Can you not walk behind me, sir? >> Why? >> Cuz you're intimidating me. >> Well, you're intimidating me. >> No. Should I arrest you? >> You are. You're intimidating me. >> Am I? You should should feel intimidated. >> Mhm. >> I can play the game all day long. >> Yeah, me too. >> Fine. >> Okay. I got two batteries. Mhm. >> I got two uh two power charges. I don't really care. >> Want to get some exercise? >> I'm just kidding. >> Why? I don't need the exercise. I get enough running around you fools. >> So, you're not going to let me just >> continue recording harassing people? >> I'm not harassing anybody. >> I'm not doing anything wrong. >> Don't Don't Dude, don't tell me I'm harassing anybody. Dude, you're harassing me right now? >> You're harassing me right now. >> You're harassing me right now. You have better stuff to do. Go do them. >> Call your sergeant. Call your sergeant, please. >> It's a public. >> I want you to call your sergeant, please. That's in your policy, too. >> They already wear it. Oh, I want them to come here. I need to speak with them regarding you and your behavior. >> I'm not coming here. It's a free building. I can walk in. >> I want It's in your policy to get a requested supervisor. Okay. >> Please. You're intimidating me. You're stopping me from moving freely. >> You're threatening me with a possible arrest. No, you're trying to trump up charges. >> I'm not trumping up anything, >> dude. Get out of here. >> I'm just playing your game. >> Get out of here. You want to play my Oh, really? How How much should I being a state police officer in this die state? >> I know. >> No, you could stay there. >> No. Yeah, you could steal. >> A warning had just been thrown out, but the legal question behind it was what changed the entire situation. Because when no one could point to what law he had broken, the police following him began to take on a very different meaning. >> I thought you had to go in the elevator. Remember? >> Yeah. Just keep it moving, dude. >> I'm going to be here as long as you are now. Once you leave, I'll leave. How about that? >> That's the deal. You guys are used to saying that, right? Here's the deal. >> If I leave, you'll leave. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Here's the deal, right? Have a nice day. >> Have a good one. >> That's it. >> That's as easy as that. >> Yeah. >> Wow, dude. >> I, you know, to be honest, I don't mind if you even stay. You're not doing anything well. >> Thank you. Did you explain that to them, though? >> You are doing something wrong on them. You You videotaping her fa in her face. >> In her face. Wo wo. Back up. Back up. >> In my face right now. >> I'm in your face. >> You're doing that right now. >> How far is not in your face? >> On a private phone call? >> Yeah. >> Why are you videotaping that? >> I wasn't. >> Yes, you were. >> No, I wasn't. And so, hold on. Hey, do you want to hear this or not? >> I do want to hear it, but I don't I will explain it to you. >> I don't want to hear the game. I don't want to hear >> I'm not playing any games. Okay, look, I don't engage anybody until they engage me unless I have actual business. Okay, getting information put for the public pamphlets, questions about services, stuff like that. Okay, >> one talk to people secretary of state's office. >> One of them said that you made a derogator comment towards them. You >> derogatory comment. >> You insult someone. >> Huh. Interesting. >> Which is you kind of totally. >> No, it's you. It's you baiting people in to get what you want. >> Really? What about the ugly face that she made to me while she walked by me? >> What were you taking out of your your phone? >> What? What? Did I Did I make her come over here? >> No, this is the whole thing. You can play this game all >> ma'am. I'm I'm recording in a public area. Okay, that's all. You're not going to get anywhere. >> I'm trying to educate her. >> He plays a game. >> No, >> he plays a game. You think my rights are a game? >> Walks around and videotapes everybody. You think the rights are a game >> until you get somebody to engage with >> like you? >> Yeah, >> like you. >> Oh, I get paid. >> You did a great job. >> I think I get paid. >> You know what? Who pays my bills? People like you. >> Yeah. And you know what? You're not helping. So, thanks. I appreciate it. >> You pay my bills, too. >> So, my rights are not a game. Okay. It's an oath you took to uphold. So, why don't you respect them and tell the people I'm allowed to do what I'm doing instead of tell No. Instead of telling them that I'm playing a game because this isn't a game. It's not a game. Who's playing games? You're playing games. You're following me around. You're intimidating me. You're trying to make me leave, okay, by doing so. And it's not going to happen. >> In the end, the camera did not create a crime, but it did expose something worth thinking about. Sometimes the thing that makes authority most uncomfortable is a citizen who [music] truly knows his rights. Citizens can sue police under section 1983 when [music] their rights are violated. Officers who violate those rights may face compensation payouts, disciplinary action, or even termination. Even though it did not lead to any arrests, this story leaves a clear reminder. The greater the power, the more it must be controlled by the law. So, what do you [music] think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and consider supporting us with a donation. Thank you so much. [music]