We're making pictures on estate property and we'll need to see some ID. You're welcome to make pictures. >> I'm not with your C. >> Why are you outside the police station taking photos? >> I'm just taking pictures. Yes, sir. >> Yeah. You got C ID? >> Am I with CD? No, sir. I'm not with your department at all. >> Say again. >> I'm not with CD. No, sir. >> Okay. >> No legal grounds, yet they still demand ID. This isn't about security. It's ignorance of the law and an abuse of power. If you come on state property, we're allowed to ask you for ID. >> You're allowed to ask. Doesn't mean I have to give it. >> So security. I'm going to need to know your Is there a reason y'all wanting to have a confrontation today? >> I'm not trying to have a job. >> We're doing everything we can to deescalate this. Okay. >> When rookie cops don't understand the law, but still [music] abuse their power. The price gets paid immediately after. Just stepping into the police headquarters complex, an unexpected encounter happens. Just for holding a camera and taking a few photos in public, the whole atmosphere instantly changes. >> It's cold. Can I put my gloves on if you're going to make me have my hands on a cocket? >> I don't like >> I'm not armed. >> Nervous out here taking pictures of videos of cars and buildings. What's your What's the >> cars? I don't take pictures of cars. Take pictures of buildings. >> They ask why. >> It's just a government building complex. It's interesting. I don't see stuff like this where I'm from. [music] >> Where you from? >> South Texas. >> South. You don't see buildings like this in South Texas? No, we don't have stuff like this. [music] It's different. We don't put all our our government complex like this. We don't put it all in one spot. So, it's different. >> Well, this is this area is there's there's children over here in this area that's not permitted to be filmed. >> Okay. >> We won't film those. >> Yeah, we're not interested in any pictures of government buildings that uh really makes me nervous other than just the interesting fact that it's not really a legitimate reason. So, uh you have any ideas? anything on you as far as are you with a government agency or anything like that or what's >> We're not I mean we're not doing anything wrong. This is publicly funded buildings. We're just here to take photographs and see what if there's anything in here. We got the fallen officer memorial out front. You know, this is kind of funny because it's a education building, but the clock doesn't work. I mean, it's just just silly stuff like that. We're not here to harm anybody. We're not looking for kids. We're just taking pictures. It's just public photography. >> Uh I don't I didn't carry it. I didn't think I needed it here. >> You don't have any of these on you at all? >> I haven't done anything wrong. I mean, do I need to identify myself if I haven't done anything? >> I mean, if I want to run make sure that you're not a wanted person or a felon, then I have that legal right to do so. >> Well, I'm not wanted by anybody. >> Tell you what, guys, this is uh let's wrap up our business. I know you're videoing and that's fine. My name is Lieutenant Bill Miller, Tennessee Highway Patrol. So, let's wrap up your business. Get what pictures you need. This is this is uh this is the [music] little out of the ordinary normal for us here. >> Well, out of the ordinary is not against the law. >> We always have problems with vehicles being broken into and vandalized. Okay. >> So therefore, yes, we we take things very cautiously, right? >> No. And I understand that. >> Yeah. We're not breaking any carts. We're walking around with cameras. We're in plain view. We're not making any hide ourselves or conceal ourselves or what we're doing. >> Let me make a phone call and make some folks aware of your [music] your presence being >> Just holding a camera in a public area was enough to make the police start questioning them, getting on edge, and treating them like a potential threat. What seemed like a normal conversation suddenly turned extremely uncomfortable as officers began digging into personal information, escalating the situation in a way nobody expected. >> See, stuff like that is what makes things We're having a conversation. I haven't tried to evict you off the property. We're having we're having a conversation and you being evasive. Just you being invasive. You being evasive. >> Where where do you live? >> I live in Greenbryer, Tennessee, Robertson County. Just United States of America. That's I I'm nothing evasive about you. My address is going to come from Disney time. But you being invasive to to a a legitimate question kind of heightens things up a little bit. >> There's not a real duty to answer your question. >> Sir, see that's just one just one moment. >> Talk to you. I'm going do a suspicious activity report because what you're doing is suspicion. And with that report, I'm take some pictures of you just to have that. >> Do you want us to get together? Yep. Come on. Come on. >> Your camera. You want to go for a sec? >> All right. I appreciate it. Do one more. >> We're We're not hiding anything. I mean, we're just >> I didn't say we're hiding anything, but you know, it's very suspicious to give refusing to give drivers license. >> If you hold it the other way, you you'll get a better picture. >> Just hang for a second. >> So, you see, here's the problem. And here's the problem with giving ID. And I'll explain it to you. You're you're you're going to generate a report. All right. It's going to go over the fusion center which is actually located here on this property somewhere. I'm sure since this Okay. Okay. So, but you're going to send a report over the fusion center. All right. They're going to look at it say, "Oh, it's suspicious to take pictures of public buildings and we're going to end up on terrorist watch list or something like that." Now, they're talking about in Congress using the terrorist watch list to deny you your rights to purchase firearms. And the terrorist watch list isn't vetted. There's a lot of people on that list that don't belong there. And so, there's the issue with with identifying yourself. >> Get off. There's no due process. There's there's no due process for it. So the these are the issues with that. >> You know, you two out of the three of you have GoPro cameras on walking around. >> They're body cameras for for my protection. I mean, you don't know what you're going to run into. I I've been attacked on the street. I've been, you know, I've had snakes run between my legs. You just never know what you're a photographer. >> What seemed like small talk quickly started feeling like they were being scrutinized word for word. Then everything suddenly shifted into a highly sensitive issue involving personal information and right after that the conversation turned into a full-on confrontation sending the situation downhill in a way nobody expected >> whatsoever and and just and I don't you know you shouldn't mind me filming obviously you don't so that's no problem >> first moving right >> and well when you're in the presence of law enforcement you you you are you know you have that you should have that mindset to be expecting to be filmed and reporters cuz our patrol carers anytime a traffic shop and so forth, you're being filmed. So, uh, but in this state of of the state that we live in, three individuals walk around taking pictures of state seals on cars. Uh, this is this is government property. It's not it's not restricted to the public, but your activity, your demeanor, refusing to give ID and cooperate, that thing's a little suspicious. Okay. >> The state department of homeland security. They've published courses that says that photographers or shouldn't necessarily be engaged. Let them get their that's the training. >> But but refusing to say your, you know, give your names or refusing to provide identity. That's just so we can verify who you are and make sure that you are not wanted and just taking you at your word. >> This isn't Nazi Germany where we got to check papers every 15. But as a state trooper, I am the only only agency within the state government that I can I can stop you at a driver's license check, check your driver's license, or I can check your driver's license if I if I feel it's probable because to believe so. >> Yeah. In a car? >> No, sir. If I need if my investigation, which is what we're doing here today, I can check you for wanted for any warrants or warranty. So anyway, >> yes. >> So you seem to know a little bit about Tennessee law. So you possibly from Tennessee. >> I apolog I can't hear. >> I I do not answer questions. >> You do not answer questions. >> Oh we I I don't know what your what the big issue is. Like I said we're we're in broad daylight in plain view making no effort to conceal ourselves or what we're doing. I mean I I that's not the that's not terrorist activity. >> Well, >> I mean that's that's that's photographers out taking pictures. >> Said it was terrorist activity. That's your work. That's your work. So that's is that something that you're trying to use for provocation? >> No, I'm I'm not trying to provoke you. I'm trying to deescalate things here. I'm trying to get you to see my point of view. I mean >> escalate. I have three gentlemen here on state property taking pictures of patrol cars, taking pictures [snorts] of state buildings and state government buildings. >> Tension becomes impossible to miss. The police aren't just asking questions anymore. They keep pressing harder, trying to control the situation. The pressure spikes, their tone turns harsher, and the situation heads straight into something that would send chills down anyone's spine. Show your ID or be ready to face even bigger trouble. >> Got another one. >> Hello, gentlemen. How are you all? >> I've also got another gentleman on the way. Another trooper. So, welcome. >> I'm Lieutenant L with highway patrol and you're making pictures on a state property and we'll need to see some ID. You're welcome to make pictures. >> I'm not with your CD. >> I need to see your ID. >> Identification property and we're allowed to ID people on state property. So, I need to see some ID. Okay. >> Okay. If we decline, you're going to ask us to leave. >> Is there a reason you don't want us to know who you are? >> I just like to have my privacy respected. I >> haven't done anything wrong. I haven't broken any law. >> Come on state property and we're allowed to ask you >> which is open to the public. >> Correct. But you're allowed to be ID. So I will need to see some identification. >> There's no identification state. >> We are an identification state. >> Not an identification state. If you come on state property, we're allowed to ask you for ID. >> You're allowed to ask doesn't mean I have to give it. >> So, I'm going to need to know have your ID. Is there a reason y'all wanting to have a confrontation today? >> I'm not trying to have a confrontation. We're doing everything we can. >> We're doing everything we can to deescalate this. Okay. But still >> escalation. There's no escalation. We're just asking for ID. >> I did escalate now and now there's three of y'all. >> Okay. You let me speak. We just want our privacy respected. That's all. >> Understand? >> We're not here. We're not breaking the law. We're not going into private areas. We're not here doing anything at all. We're just taking pictures of publicly funded buildings. >> And you're on state property and we're asking for your ID. >> And there are there are things that are are normal in everyday life and there's things that are normal. As you see the things that have happened in Texas. All law enforcement just tries to take precautions to protect everyone. The employees here and you us >> all the citizens. >> We just want to have an ID. Know your names. That's all. >> The police start tightening the pressure, repeating the same demand over and over, like one wrong move from the citizen could make the whole situation explode instantly. But it doesn't stop there. They suddenly pull out an extremely sensitive justification to push the tension to its absolute peak. And in that moment, the conversation turns into a suffocating battle of logic. >> That's all right. We try and keep the public and citizens safe. We're trying to keep state employees safe. There are two schools here. These children, we have to try and protect them. And if you don't want to tell us who you are, that's suspicious. I've told you who I was. Um, that's it's suspicious that there are two schools right here. You're right in front of one of them. This one's other one's right behind this building. >> They're not reasonable, articulable vision that I have or am I out to commit the crime? I don't know that, but I'd like to run your ID to see if you have any warrants to see if there's a reason I should worry about the safety of the children in the state. You didn't even know the kids are here in shootings. We don't want that to happen. >> You're not wanting to give us any ID and we've got schools here with children. >> Okay. >> So, I would really like to see your ID, please. >> I'm going to respectfully decline. >> Okay, sir. I don't I don't understand why why you would need to have my ID >> because children are the utmost safety to the Tennessee law enforcement law enforcement across this country. They're the there are >> you haven't posed any threat to them. >> I don't know that you're not going to sir. The fact that you won't give me your ID makes me think that these children are in danger. >> Okay. >> They are my utmost concern. >> There is nothing here that indicate any children. >> I don't know that, sir. I don't know where your vehicle's at. I don't know if you have arsenal. I don't know. >> Yeah, that's not what he said. I say you there's nothing here that indicates there are children here. We had no idea there are children here. All we're doing is taking We came over here because the clock is it says educational nutrition. We came over here because clock is wrong. It's like it's kind of funny to have an education building that has the wrong time. >> There are signs all through here that say there's schools here. >> We came from over there. >> There's signs that say this this is school property. >> I didn't see signs all over. >> I have yet to see a sign. >> These children are my utmost concern. >> Well, we're not interested in the kids. >> I don't know that, sir. I don't know that you're not interested in children, but I'm worried about those children. >> Okay. >> Well, I've just told you that we're not here for the kids. We're here specifically for >> Show me that you're not here for the children. Show me your ID. >> That doesn't tell you what I'm here for. >> I can make sure you don't have warrants or there's no reason you can't be within so many feet of a school. I don't know that until I check. >> Are we being detained? >> I'm asking you for your license. >> Am I being detained? >> I'm asking you for your license. >> Okay. You're not answering my question. >> I'm asking you for your license. >> I'm going to assume that I'm not being detained. I'm just going to walk off. We'll just go on about our business. didn't do it that way. You know, I you guys get tied up here for nothing. We're not here breaking the law. We're not here to harm anybody. It's a public It's a public complex. We're just here. You're not trying to hurt these children. I'm not here to hurt children. >> Neither am I. Prove to me you're the one with the gun, not me. >> Let me run. Let me run. You're named for warrants and see if there's any reason you can't be near school grounds. >> There. There's nothing. There's nothing. >> I don't know that, sir. >> And as I explained to him, >> give me the opportunity to show that. >> As I explained to him, you're going to generate a a suspicious activity report. He is. He's He is He's already said he is. You're going to take that information. You're going to send it over to the Fusion Center. They're going to generate a report on me to Homeland Security. We end up on the terrorist watch list because we walk around take pictures. >> That's not how the Fusion Center works. >> That is exactly how it works. >> That's not how it works cuz I'm the Homeland Security Lieutenant for the Nashville District. >> Okay? >> And that's not how the reports work because I deal with them every day. >> By this point, everything is crystal clear. A normal photo taking moment gets turned into a tense confrontation simply because of police suspicion and pressure. The citizen holds on to their right to privacy to the very end. And the only question left is in public, how free are you really? Up next, just for taking photos outside a police station, he's immediately pressed with questions and demanded to show ID. And when he insists he's standing in a public place and hasn't done anything wrong, everything starts taking a highly unpredictable turn. >> I'm sorry. How can we help you? You can't. I'm good. >> Why are you outside the police station taking photos? >> I'm just taking pictures. That's the whole police station. >> Yes, sir. >> Cuz you got CD. >> Am I with C? No, sir. I'm not with your department at all. >> Say again. >> I'm not with CD. No, sir. >> Okay. Said for your ID identification, driver's license, some type of identification. >> Have I done something wrong >> right now? What you think? Identify yourself, sir. 149 32. I All I'm doing is taking photographs out here of the the police station. It's a new station. It's a nice station. That's all I'm doing. I have not entered your property. Not done anything wrong. All I'm doing is gathering matters of interest for the public. That's it. I I haven't broken anything. >> Identify yourself. >> Uh if I haven't done anything wrong, I don't think I have a reason to give you my identification. Is that not correct, Officer Small? I got to throw the chicken. That's fine. >> Okay. Well, are are you guys detaining me or Yes, >> you've been detained. >> Okay. >> After being pressed with questions and demanded to show ID despite only taking photos in public, the tension escalates faster than expected. As the man shifts into a defensive stance, the police tighten their pressure even more, turning what should have been a simple situation into a high pressure confrontation. >> Not have any weapons on me at all. Just camera equipment. That's it. >> Hands up. Uh, you I'm just letting you know up front. Okay. I I don't want to get shot or tased. >> I'm sorry. >> You have any ID on you? I >> I say I just don't want to get shot or tased or anything like that. So, I have absolutely no weapons on me. >> That's fine. Like I said, we we just want to see your ID so we can identify you. Do you have any photo ID on you at all? >> I I I don't want to answer any more questions. If I've been detained, I this point I think it's best to just be quiet, not answer any questions. >> Okay. >> Yeah, he refused to talk. >> You got your ID on the process. >> Are you Are you the supervisor? No, but for these you're taking pictures of patrol facilities. We just need your ID to run you. But we have to we have to sit at the C. It's city policy. >> So So I have to be put on the terrorist watch list because I took pictures of a building that belongs to me >> right now with the way the way things are going on. That's why we're just going to double check who you are. Make sure you're not wanted. Make sure you're not on the list >> because this is a facility. This is this is not just a regular facility. >> I I know it's a police station. >> Yeah, it's a police station. >> That's why I'm taking pictures of it. We he said find out who you are. >> Okay. I I I'll tell you what I told him. Okay. >> You have your ID. >> I'll tell you what I told him. Okay. I haven't done anything wrong. >> I got him on identify the best. >> Yeah. >> I I'm not refusing to identify. I'm saying I haven't done anything wrong. >> I've broken no law. All I'm doing is taking pictures of a building that belongs to me that I give you the privilege of working in. >> Okay. From the public sidewalk. >> Do you or do you not have an ID so we can run you on real quick? Make sure we can get the proper authorities out here to check you out who you are. That's all we want to know. >> I just >> I've already told you guys who I am. I'm a journalist. >> Funny. Your house taking pictures. Would you not want to know who I was >> if you were paying for my house? Absolutely. >> Yes, I am pay for the house. My taxes are >> not for my house. >> Yes, I am. >> You don't pay for my house? >> How do you know that? How do you know you're paying for >> Because I own my house. >> No, but how do you know you're paying for my face? Are you from Houston? >> Yes, I am. And my taxes pay for that. >> So, can you just show him the check? >> Okay. The man becomes extremely cautious and every word he says feels like he's standing right on the edge of trouble. But what's striking is that instead of calming down, the conversation gets pushed into an even more sensitive direction. Making it clear this is no longer just about taking a few photos for fun. >> I'm out here respecting you, talking to you. Hey, just need some identification. We can do a report. The homic I mean so the HPD can do their investigation, make sure you're good. That's it. If you if you are who you say you are, you have nothing to worry about. So, I don't understand what the problem is. >> Well, the the problem is exactly what you just said. Why is HPD doing an investigation on a citizen engaged in lawful activity? >> Because one, you out here taking a picture of the government facility. We don't know who you are. >> A a a building that I pay for, and it's none of your business who I am. As long as I'm not breaking the law, why why are you guys even bothering with a citizen who's obeying the law? I I don't understand that. >> I start walking. >> I took pictures of the sign outside the entrance is what I was taking pictures of. The one that talks about you can only bring certain firearms. It's an unusual sign. >> That's all. >> Well, you can go in there. You have a good day. >> All right. Thank you, Sergeant Glover. >> I can't hear you over the wind. >> There's another gate over here. I don't know if the sign is on it. >> I guess wanted the picture of that one sign over there and that's that's all I was after. What is that star on the flag up there for? Yeah. Westside. >> That's for the city of Houston. >> I've never seen one of those outside one of the PDs before. >> Just the just the American flag and the Texas flag. That's it. >> Well, it depends. I think they have one on the northeast side cuz it's a bigger station. >> Northeast out off of uh >> Montgomery. >> Montgomery. Montgomery. I don't know if I've been to that one or not. I've been to Westside Station. >> West Side. >> Yeah. uh downtown. But I I gotta say, I've never never had an issue like this before. >> Well, I mean, you know, everybody >> The man tries to explain his purpose, but the police want to turn it into a just to be sure kind of check. And right here, the drama starts speeding up because it's no longer just about taking photos. Certain things get said that make it feel like the situation has been pulled back from the edge, but it's still far from safe. You don't need to tie up all these units. >> I said you don't need to tie up all these units. You can send them. >> Tie them up. They called me out here. I wasn't even out here. >> Okay. I said I don't have any weapons or anything. I'm not here to harm anybody. >> Good. If you want to come up here and look at the flag, you can. >> I don't know if it's a sign over there on the >> No, I got the one over there on the other gate. I'm I'm good. That was like I said, it's just an unusual sign. Where do you ever see that sign? It's not a 30 O 6 or 7. Mhm. >> It says something about the the government code and says that you can't bring certain firearms in or something like that. >> Yeah, I mean it's it's down at uh I think they have one at 1200 Travis. I don't know if it stays the same thing. So, I haven't been to 1200 Travis in a minute. So, >> and I I've been down there, but I've never filmed there. It's you know, it's a downtown Houston city building and it's not very interesting. This is different. You know, I I remember when you guys used to have the station over on Park Place and then they built this one and moved out here. >> How long you been here? >> Been almost 16 years. Yeah, that is warrior time. That just tells how old I am. >> You're not one of You're not old enough for uh for that new retirement program they're they're hitting up right now. >> Uh well, they I'm the group that they shortened. Uh we we're the ones that kind of lost a lot like in between that I think 13 and right before 2019 and 34. Right before 20. That group right there. I'm in that group. So, we're the ones who really took a bad hit, but we're blessed with a job. >> Hey, you know, I I I read in the newspaper where the mayor was praising the ones that stayed on, even though they were taking that hit. If you're one of those guys, well, you know, you're all right by me. You know, I I know you guys got a tough job. I'm not out here I'm not out here give you a hard time. I'm really not. But, uh I I'm just here to take some pictures and go on about my business. >> That's it. That's cool. Like I say, you know, with what's going on at >> I do and and I don't fault you guys for for coming out and asking what I'm doing. I'm okay with that. I'm okay with that. It just, you know, I'm I'm just glad you didn't take me to jail. >> Take you jail for what? >> That's my point. >> There's other things to do besides that. I'm more of a I like to communicate, get to know who you are. Hey, we could talk something out, talk it down. You can get down the street. That's more the type of person I am. I'm not the one who, hey, everybody don't need to go to jail, you know? So, everybody don't need to go to jail. If I can avoid that, I'll turn off. >> Well, that that's a good thing cuz I agree with you. I think that a lot of law enforcement that I see out there. >> The conversation shifts into casual everyday small talk, making it seem like everything has been smoothed over. But that calm is exactly what keeps you on edge. Because with just one more sentence, things could snap right back into tension at any moment. Citizens may sue police officers under 42 [music] USC section 1,983 when their rights are violated. Officers found in violation may be required to pay [music] damages and face discipline or termination. A decent community isn't one where everyone [music] is constantly watched. It's one where everyone is respected the way they should be, even when they stay silent, don't show ID, and haven't done anything wrong. 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]