I I'm going to show you the rules of your post office. So, this is poster 7. Hangs in every post office across the country. And there is a section here on photography, which gives me express permission to do what I'm doing in public areas of the post office. >> Just one camera at the post office was enough for everything to move beyond a normal dispute. As a citizen who knew the law forced police to face the legal risk created by their own unsupported orders, >> you recording? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You can't recording me? I'm pretty sure I can. >> No, you can't. It's a medical facility. >> Yeah, I know. But it's public though, right? >> That's why you keep walking close to me like that. >> A test of citizens rights quickly turned into a legal trial for police as a cameraman who knew the law made every overstep by officers risk becoming evidence against them. Just one camera outside the post office was enough to make the quiet atmosphere suddenly change. And when an angry passer by stormed inside, a test of citizens rights began turning into a tense confrontation. >> Is that okay with you? >> I don't care. I just wanted to make >> I know some young lady ran in there and riled everybody up in there. Sorry about that. >> No, it's okay. Thank you very much. >> Apologize about that. >> Have a nice day. >> Yeah, you too. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, you called it >> guys. >> Are you guys with the news or anything like that? >> Sorry. Are you guys with the news or anything like that? >> Oh, who am I speaking with? >> I'm one of the supervisors here. >> Oh, okay. >> Unfortunately, we can't have any filming on postal property. Unfortunately, if you guys would be so kind to please move from the premises. >> You can't have filming on postal property. >> Yes, sir. I do apologize. >> What makes you think this is postal property? >> Right here, >> where I'm standing. >> But they're making the customers uncomfortable. They're actually coming in and complaining. So, if you guys would just be so kind. >> Well, one person having feelings about what I'm doing. You know, if I don't like what you're doing, you're going to quit your job. This is not an argument or anything like that. I'm asking you guys kindly, if you guys can just see. >> Yeah, I know. I want to have a conversation with you. Have you registered your supervisor? I assume you're familiar with your poster 7. >> My poster 7. >> Poster 7? Yes. >> Are you guys filming me? >> I am filming the post office. And anybody, >> you guys put the cameras down because it's absolutely rude and I get never gave you guys consent to do this with me. >> I'm standing on a public sidewalk. I don't need your consent. And a matter of fact, I'm going to come into the post office and buy a stamp in a minute. Record my transaction. >> We definitely we definitely appreciate you guys' customer. >> But I am going to be filming my transaction when I go in to buy my stamp as well. >> No, you cannot do that. No, you cannot. This is actually postal property. >> I'm trying to ma'am, I'm trying to explain to you there is something called poster 7 which you have hanging in your lobby. Every post office in the country has it hanging up. It's the rules and regulations governing conduct on postal property. Those rules and regulations give us those rules and regulations give us express permission to do what we're doing. So, you might want to check with your post office. >> I'm speaking to my postmaster first, but I can see in the country. >> Or you could call Homeland Security. Homeland Security or FPS will tell. >> What is it that you guys are doing? >> I'm just taking some video of your post office. I'm traveling the country and I was going to come in and buy a stamp and document my stamp purchase. I keep the receipts as a uh momento of my trip. >> Okay. Now, I personally don't have an issue. >> What seemed like a few complaints about a camera quickly dragged the entire post office into a situation spiraling out of control. And when employees stepped out and demanded they leave, poster 7 suddenly became the detail that started unraveling the post office's justification. >> I'll show you where it is. Where do you >> I do not think so. >> Where's your Where's your poster 7 at here? It's right here. I'm going to show you the holes in your post office. I'm not looking to violate your rules. So, this is poster 7 hangs in every post office across the country. Rules and regulations governing conduct on postal property. And there is a section here on photography, which gives me expression to do what I'm doing in public areas of the post office. >> Photography. Are you taking pictures? >> I'm just taking I just told this young lady, I'm traveling and we're I was planning on getting a little video of the outside of the post office. Then I was going to come in and buy a stand. >> Oh, there's a spider. Oh, okay. You got it. Oh, you can't docu document my transaction. >> You are not documenting the transaction. >> Here's the rules of the post office, man. >> I won't let you. >> Well, then you're going to be violating my rights. >> You're violating my rights. You don't have my permission. >> Well, you can call the police then and do that. I'm going to go by myself. >> You don't have my permission to film me. >> You can call Homeland Security. I actually >> as the demand to leave began falling apart under poster 7, the tension inside the post office quickly moved beyond a simple argument. Then police were called, pushing the story into an even more intense test of law and authority. >> Hey guys, how y'all doing? >> How we doing? >> Not so bad yourselves. >> Good. I'm assuming you're not here to mail a letter. >> No, got to call a bunch of you guys on date. >> Guys, I just asked name badge number so I know >> I'm sorry. A work 360. >> A work. >> Yep. Very good. >> Then Smart Smart 326. >> 326. Are you training? >> No. >> Are you? >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, I guess what are you guys up to? >> You guys have uh >> I'll tell you, you know what? I'll cut through the whole chasing you and tell you exactly what's going on. >> The post office employees feel like we're not allowed to go inside the post office and take video. They have something called poster 7 on the wall. I'm not sure if you're familiar with it, which is poster 7 is the post office's official rules and regulations governing conduct on postal property >> posted in every post office across the country. >> Uh so if you want to go inside and take a look at that, I tried to show to the supervisor, but that gives us express permission to be filming inside. And what I did was I went inside, >> I bought a stamp, >> I got a receipt documenting my stamp purchase, and they seem to feel like there's for some reason, >> okay, >> we're not allowed to do that. So, I suggested to them that being that you're city police, you're not going to have jurisdiction on this property. So, I asked them I I suggested them they call Homeland Security or call FBS because those are the guys with the answers. >> Sure. >> Cuz it's a federal building, >> right? But they called you. >> Yeah. Well, >> so we were nice enough to stick around and wait for you cuz I had a feeling you were on the way. >> Yeah. I They just called and um they said you were making some people inside feel uncomfortable. >> Uh actually, we were out here. >> Okay. >> Before I ever went into the building, a woman walked by and started yelling at me for filming. Really? And she went inside and created a scene. So that's the customer. She was actually feeling uncomfortable me filming on a public sidewalk. >> I wasn't even in the building. >> Yeah, we just got called and obviously we got to respond and figure out what's going on. >> So do you want to take a look at poster 7 just for your own edification? I can show it to you and you'll know what it is going forward in the future. >> Well, I >> it's hanging on there. It's their official love to show it to you just so you know. >> Yeah, I don't disagree. >> Yeah. No, you seem like you're on the same page, but it's just it's just good to have the information. It seemed like the arrival of police would finally clear things up. But instead of determining who was actually following the law, the story shifted to a more troubling question. Why was someone being asked for ID when they had not been accused of any crime? >> No. You can tell by my accent I'm not from Minnesota, man. >> Well, you got a James hat. >> I got to start saying don't you know. >> Yeah. Yeah. Tricked me there. Um, so do you guys have IDs on you by chance? I always have ID. >> You mind to take a look at it, please? >> I very much. >> Okay. You don't want me to take a look at it? >> No. Unless I've committed a crime. I mean, if you lawfully have a lawful reason to demand my identification, I'd be happy to give it to you. >> Sure. Well, we just just got called here. That's why I'm asking. You mind if I take a look at your ID? >> I don't have it with me. >> Okay. You mind if I write your name down? >> Yeah, I do, man. >> Okay, sounds good. >> Again, why not? There's no nefarious intent. No ill will. We're not looking to cause anybody any trouble. Just take like I said, how you doing, officer? Good. >> Good. Can I just ask your badge number, please? I know who was here. >> 319. Thank you, sir. I appreciate that. Um, go ahead. I'm sorry to cut you off, officer. I want to stand by with them. I'm going to talk to uh talk to >> Let's go see what's going on. >> Nope. Stay here. >> Well, am I being detained? >> You're not free to go over there? >> Am I being detained? >> You are being detained currently. >> I'm being detained. Are you sure about that? >> I You're not going to go over there and talk with the the people at the other house. >> If I'm not being detained, I sure am. >> No, you're not. >> So, am I being detained? >> Currently, you're being detained. >> You're detaining me? I need your business card. You can have my business card. >> Yep. >> You're making a huge mistake. I would talk to your higher-ups. Call your sergeant or your lieutenant or somebody. You don't want to detain me unlawfully. >> I can guarantee you it's going to cost you dearly. >> I'm telling you, you're just not going over by my partner. Nope. >> Before the ID demand could be properly explained, the situation moved from words to action, turning the question, "Am I being detained?" into the most explosive moment of the confrontation. >> Nope. Nope. Sir, >> you're not walking up behind my partner. >> Officer, work. This is >> officer work. >> Listen, I'm going to walk. I want to walk. You're going to Yes, I am. >> You have no Am I being lawfully detained or are you just getting in my face? Back up. >> No, I am backing up. You're walking towards me. >> Officer work. >> We're taking off, man. >> I'm not being detained. This idiot's trying to detain me unlawfully. Standing in my face. You're in deep [ __ ] buddy. >> You just [ __ ] up. Major, >> hold on. >> No, you did. You just [ __ ] up. >> So, why don't you Hey, now let's watch your language. Okay. They don't That's my first amendment right. You can't you can't disturb the the public. >> I'm not I'm talking to two police officers. You guys are grown men. You can >> She She might be offended by it. Somebody else want >> No, don't solicit any issues. >> Okay. No, you are starting to solicit any issues. >> No, I'm not starting to solicit this gentleman just forcibly stood in front of me and impeded my walking down a public sidewalk and and unlawfully just placed me under >> detain. So, we know what you're trying to do here. >> No, you know, what I'm trying to do is find good officers. And I guess I found a couple of tyrants here today. >> And you should straighten this young lady out on the rules of the post office. >> We're not going to argue with her, though. Let's go. You guys are free to leave. >> If I'm free to leave, I'm free to stay. >> Okay. >> Call Federal Protection Service. That's what I would suggest to you. We'll have a conversation with people that know what they're talking about. >> You screwed up with them. >> Yeah. Adios, buddy. Kick rocks later, Lambert. Earn a lesson today. >> Well, they don't want to. >> Don't let your Don't let your ego kick in, Lambert. It's a bad mistake. You have no idea who I am and I'll eat you for dinner, bro. Just have a nice day and take losses. See you later. Bye. Adios. Go find some real crime. And officer work. Nothing with you. You were being very respectful and courteous and professional. I appreciate that. Lambert over here needs to learn a lesson. And I'm going to teach it to you. You're going to lose your little Omar card, Lambert. Knock down a peg. No one was arrested, but the story still left a powerful reminder. Society is only truly safe when authority respects the law and citizens calmly defend their rights. Next, the moment he stepped into a public area with a camera and asked for a few FOIA forms, the front desk immediately grew tense. But when his identity was questioned, what seemed like a normal encounter began turning into a test of citizens rights. What are you recording for? >> Just to document the building, gather gather some content. >> It's about it. For what? >> Just Just to gather some content and create a story about this health department. >> What's your name? >> I'm not going to give you my name. >> Really? >> Yeah. >> And you're a public worker? You >> I am. Yes. >> So, isn't that you guys? >> I don't know where you're from. I don't have any ID from you. I don't have any card credentials from you. So, I don't know where you're from. Wh why why would you need ID? >> Very unprofessional. >> This is this is this is the people that we hire uh to serve the public. Public serving is not giving out their name. [clears throat] >> Who's next, please? >> Wow. >> We'll get her name hopefully when the manager comes down. >> We'll see. >> You the manager, sir? Yes, sir. >> What's your name? >> Jesus. >> Jesus. My name is James. I was asking this young lady her name. >> Do you record it? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You can't record in here. >> I'm pretty sure I can. >> No, you can't. It's a medical. >> Yeah, I know. But it's public though, right? No. >> All right. So, why you keep walking close to me like that? >> How can I help you? >> Like I told her, I need a foyer request forms and I was trying to get this young lady's name cuz she was rude. >> I'll take care of that. What kind of forms you need? >> Foyer. >> Foyer forms. Freedom of information. >> We can give you information about the health center. >> Well, that's what the forms are for. I'll be able to fill them out and turn them back in. >> Do you want like a release of information? >> Well, I'm just going to That's a foyer request form. So, what the materials that I'm going to request, I'm going to write them down on that form. >> So, you want a release of information form? >> I just want a form for your request form. It's I think it's different than a release information. >> We don't have those forms here. >> You definitely do. I'm pretty sure. >> Okay. While the explanation about FOIA was still being misunderstood, the camera inside the building once again became the center of tension. And just as the cameraman tried to keep everything within public boundaries, the facility began pushing the story in a more unpredictable direction. >> Here's the two forms we have. You can complete those and request what you're looking for. >> There's only two forms we have. >> Request an authorization to release health information. Uh this is Yeah, this is Yeah, this is not it. You you might you might have to highlight HR because this is not >> you contact the number in our in our [music] website and they can give you those forms as well. If you're a patient here, you're a patient here. >> No. >> So, you have to be a patient. So, you can >> That's right. That's But this is not what I'm requesting. >> So, that's the only forms I have here. >> Yep. No. So, you you you misunderstanding. It's a it's a state law, right, for Freedom of Information Act. It's not it has nothing to do with health information. You can contact our >> Isn't somebody over you? >> There is. I can give you the information. >> Well, I'm talking about here on site. >> Not here. >> Oh, okay. Well, >> not here. >> Okay. Well, I'm going just document the rest of the building since you couldn't get me where I don't I don't need. >> You can take those. >> I don't need them. >> Okay. >> Yeah. No. >> All right, sir. Uh there's no recording. They don't allow that in here. >> Who doesn't allow it? >> Well, the guy that's in charge. >> Yeah, he but he's he's just misinformed. It's a law. Uh this is my first amendment right. So he's just not aware. >> So >> yeah, we can't have you recorded here. >> So even though I just told you that it's my first amendment right, you're you're you're not that's not computing right now. >> Okay. >> It's not obviously not. It's like I told you that and it went right in one one ear out the other. >> I hear you. I hear you clearly. >> Okay. >> All right. I hear you clearly. >> Okay. Well, I'm going just continue to do what I was doing before I was uh >> know you're recording other folks here. >> Yeah, that's okay. >> No, it's not okay. >> Yeah, that's Trust me, it is. I know. exactly what I'm doing. They just don't know. And >> as the conversation began touching the limits of authority, the facility decided to take the situation to a new level. But that very moment shifted all attention to one question. Who was truly standing on the right side of the law? >> You want to step outside? >> No, I we can talk right here. >> Okay. You want to talk to me? >> What's going on? >> What's your name? Officer. >> Officer Brazen. Where do we go? >> Over here. That's cool. That's cool. What's your name again, officer? Officer >> Bronzman right here. >> Bronze Bronze. >> Bronze. >> Bron want to be able to get that correct. What's your badge number, sir? >> 299. >> 299. Like I said, what I told these uh people and the personnel here, even the manager there are trying to come in to um grab some foyer request forms. Um seems like he's not really knowledgeable of what that exactly is. M. >> So he brought me out some um some of these healthc care like release but I I told him these was the wrong forms. So I tried to get him to go back there to speak to possibly someone else that might have knowledge. Uh he was uninterested. Then the second thing is um he saying basically he doesn't want me to record in the health department which I was trying to convey also to him that we have a first amendment right to record in public accessible areas. It's the lobby not going past any restricted doors. And again he wasn't interested. I just dispatched you guys out here. Sorry about that. >> Okay. >> So, that's the that's the gist of it. >> The forms that you are looking for. You've gotten the forms here before. >> Not not from here, of course. Not not this my first time at this site. Yeah. >> So, what is it? You're requesting foyer form for something that were were you a patient? >> No, I wasn't a patient. See, see that's that's what he thought he Yeah. Yeah. That's what he thought and he was. How you doing, Officer? Officer Sullivan. >> Yes, I'm man. James, good luck, >> man. Pretty good. All right. What's your badge number, sir? [clears throat] >> 268. >> 268. Like I was uh conveying to your partner here trying to come in and get some foyer request forms. Uh he he obviously I don't think he doesn't know about them cuz he brought me out medical health release forms, which is a difference. >> No, it is. Yeah. >> Right. >> But one one thing I I do know about this facility here, what where you're going and where you need to get the forms from is not from this location. go through the county itself, the Cook County Health Service Systems, request some foyer forms, which you might have to go to downtown to get that done. >> I'm not sure the exact location, but they don't do foyers here because this is a health facility. >> They don't do foyers here. >> Well, well, you know what? To be perfectly honest with you, Officer Sullivan, um they like I've been through this before with in another county, >> right? Just when the exchange seemed to be coming to an end, one unexpected question instantly changed the atmosphere. Were the officers following proper procedure or trying to cross a legal line that a citizen who knew the law could not ignore? >> Um, by any chance, do you have a picture on your phone of what they may be you may be looking for? uh >> that if I show him or show you show me and I go with him the old >> I don't have a picture of it but like in the back >> you know like cuz I can come to like Arlington Heights Police Department and request a foyer more form >> right >> so it's the same exact accessible yes >> that's ex them the same precise used we're used to obviously of course of course >> but the health department does have you know what it's just this probably their first time encountering such a question and I can understand that but they do have them here trust Okay. >> They do. >> But if he's the manager, which he is, and he doesn't know what you're talking about. >> Oh, she's the manager. >> No, no. Oh, right. Right. Okay. >> He doesn't know if he's not familiar with it. He can't all of a sudden just manually make it appear. >> I'm not going to say that. >> Where where where you might have to go is, okay, I went to this facility. You contact someone maybe through the website and say, "Hey, I went to this facility. They didn't have these forms." >> That's correct. Of course, I'm definitely going to follow up doing that for sure. You're supposed to have them, >> but the manager said they didn't have them. Correct. >> I would like to know why they don't have them. And it >> of course, >> where may I obtain these items? >> That's correct. I can understand that. >> Okay. >> Yeah. Okay. But like I said, that was the first part of me being here. Obviously, like you said, they don't have them. So, we're past that. And the second part is me documenting the health department. And like I said, I'm out of here. >> So, that'll be about it. >> Would you mind if I grab your information? >> Uh, not I kind of do mine off some be perfectly honest. I don't feel like I should want to give up my uh Fourth Amendment right for for um minus a crime. So, >> okay. Just your name? >> I mean, I told you James. >> Just your name. Your name is James. Leave it at James. Okay. >> Yeah, [clears throat] that's it. >> That's fine. >> Do you want a report number? >> N I got No, like I was telling you, man, it's a waste of you guys resources even coming out here, man. >> Okay. Um >> what else do you need? >> That's it. Like that was it. He couldn't get you. You said you wanted to to do some other things here. >> Yeah. Yeah. I'm going to walk around. >> When we leave, are you going to leave or are you >> Oh, definitely. Oh, for sure. I'm not going to hang out here all day. >> I'm going to go back and speak to him just for a moment if you want to hang out and we'll be on our way. >> All right. For sure. >> Yeah. So, that's that was the that was basically my reason for being here. Like I said, I >> After that question pushed the legal boundary into tense territory, the situation seemed to calm down, but then shifted into a more subtle kind of pressure. The very way they wanted the cameraman to leave was enough to make the final moment the most suspicious part of the confrontation. >> You all set? >> Yeah, man. >> Let's go. >> Oh, well, I'm going to leave after you guys leave. I don't want I don't Yeah, I don't want you to escort me out. >> I'm not escorting out. We're just walking out. If if there was an escort, there would be you know what an escort me. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well Well, I'm just saying I mean you you guys can go then I'll leave after you guys. I'm not going to leave with you. >> But as of right now, you are past the point. You now can see. >> No, I was just talking to you guys right here. So So now I'm not past the point. You come out here and sit down and relax. That's fine. >> What? You talking about in the lobby? >> You want to sit in the lobby or you going to go? >> Well, I'm going to walk around and document the rest of the things that's available to the public and then I'll go. That's what I just said. >> I understand. But earlier I said, "Well, when we leave, are you going to leave?" >> Correct. So, when you guys pull off and leave, then I'll leave. >> Okay. Okay. All right. >> Yeah. So, Okay. >> Just do me a favor. Keep your phone down. I don't want you getting anything that you're not supposed to be getting. >> Like what? We're in the public >> things back here. Medical. Medical. The thing is, let me just let me just inform you guys real quick. I can whatever I can see legally, I can record. >> That's that's that's the law. So, uh I'm not doing anything nefarious. If I get some stuff on my camera, I would have to do something illegal in order for that recording to be legal. So, I'm just want it's a very fine line, which obviously, you know, >> for sure. For sure. I'm not like I said, I'm not here to do anything nefarious. Appreciate you guys. >> Are you cool with him just hanging out here just for right now? >> Been long enough already. And he's gone when he's needed. >> I had a dialogue with the police officer. So, I mean, they they wanted to have talk to me about what happened. So, >> yeah. All right. Well, we're we're going to scoot. >> Okay. For sure. >> And then you said you're going to take off >> for sure. >> That way, we don't have any more issues. >> That's correct. Once you guys once I see you guys pull off, man, I'm out of here. >> The story did not end with an arrest, but with a reminder that respect for the law must come from both sides. Especially when public authority faces a citizen who clearly knows his rights. Citizens can sue police [music] under section 1 1983 when their rights are violated. Officers who violate those rights [music] may face compensation payouts, disciplinary action, or even termination. A civilized society is not built on fear of authority, but on calmness, respect, and responsibility from both citizens and those who enforce the law. So, what do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to [music] like, subscribe, and consider supporting us with a donation. Thank you so much. [music]