You did not ask my permission to film me. >> You're in a public building and a public employee. I don't need your permission. >> Is this a problem? >> Problem? Is that how you're going to start off this interaction, Huntington? >> Step >> inside a government building, a citizen who knew his rights was suddenly pushed into a tense confrontation where unsupported orders could leave the officers themselves facing legal consequences. I have the right to film the police from New York State law. >> You are not allowed in the back parking lot on public property to film without prior approval by the Board of Trustees. >> Okay. >> You are filming commercial in your private residence, you must apply for a permit. >> A simple recording outside the police department suddenly turned into an exposure of abuse of power as a citizen who knew his rights forced the female sergeant to face the legal risks created by her own unlawful orders. The moment a camera appeared inside the government building, the entire office seemed to lose its composure. No one was accused of a crime, but after just a few questions about identity, the situation began escalating into a tense confrontation. >> Can I help you? >> So, town clerk, tax collector? >> I am. >> Awesome. Thank you. No, I'm all set for now. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Are you filming me? >> I'm sorry. >> Are you filming me? >> Oh, yeah. >> Why? >> What do you mean, why? >> What for? Are you What are you doing? >> Oh, I'm just taking a tour of the building. >> For what? >> Public interest. >> And you are >> I'm a journalist. That's all. >> Okay, from where? >> What do you mean? >> You didn't ask my permission to film me, so I'd like it deleted, please. >> Oh, my delete button's broken. Sorry. >> Turn it off, then, and turn it back on, whatever. You did not ask my permission. >> need your permission, ma'am. I'm just going to take a tour of the rest of the facility. That's all. I appreciate it. >> You did not ask my permission to film me. >> You're in a public building and a public employee. I don't need your permission. To be respectful, I'm trying to be. >> Okay. >> Where are you from? Let me see some credentials, please. >> My name? >> Yeah. >> It's right here. No, your name isn't It's right here. >> That's >> Who are you and what are you doing here? >> Village clerk. >> This man is filming me without my permission. I don't know who he is. He said he's >> Who are you? >> This is a public place. >> I'm a deputy town >> What's your name? >> None of your business. You don't tell me your name. I'm not >> I don't have to. I'll pull your records and your salary and I'll make it public. How about that? >> How about that? Go right ahead. >> Don't be rude. >> Would you call Phil, please? >> Call Phil. Call the Ghostbusters if you like. What's your name? >> None of your business. >> I'm a sworn professional. >> Yeah, so are you. >> Well, I don't have to be. I'm respectful until you give me an attitude. >> I asked you why you were filming me and I asked you why you >> you I was coming in here for public interest and information. >> And I'd be happy to give you the information. >> I told you I was a journalist. >> For what? >> I didn't need your help. >> For what? >> And then I asked you for your name. >> filming me. >> Yeah, of course. Well, you're talking to me. Of course I am. >> And before that confrontation could be resolved, the arrival of police made everything more tense within seconds. Instead of clarifying who was right or wrong, one sudden order began pulling the cameraman toward the edge of an arrest. >> [snorts] >> How you doing? Is this a problem? >> Problem? Is that how you're going to start off this interaction? Huntington? >> Step outside. >> For what? What's your name and badge number? >> My name's Officer Huntington. I want you to step outside. >> Call a sergeant. >> I'm asking you to >> Are you asking me or are you demanding me to? >> you to step outside. >> Is that a lawful order? >> Yes. >> It is? Are you trespassing me from this building, sir? >> Yes. >> You don't even know what's going on here. >> for trespass if you don't leave. >> Yeah? I want you to call a sergeant. >> Wait. >> Under threat of arrest? No, I'm coming back in. >> Wait. >> I guarantee you I'll come back in, your piece of How about that? Call the sergeant right now. >> You go back in you're going to get >> I need to pull public records. >> You're going to get arrested. >> I need to pull public records. >> File a FOIL online. >> No, I'll do it right here. This is a public building. You're not going to tell me to leave a public building. I haven't committed any crime. Just because they don't like the camera does not mean that they can tell me to leave. >> You leave. >> No, I won't. >> Yes, sir. >> No, I won't. Call the sergeant. >> in you're going to >> Call the sergeant. >> You're not coming back in. >> Yeah, that'll be a lawsuit. In 1983 Huntington, I need to pull public records and I need to go in there. No, I need to get some public information. I need to get public information. I need to go inside and get public information. I don't need that. I need to go in there and pull public records and I need to get some public information. Are you going to arrest me if I go in there? Yeah, you're going to arrest me if you I'm going to go in there? Well, then you can't do that. You need to you need to make that public accessible, sir. Call the sergeant. Call the sergeant. Call the sergeant. You're violating my rights right now. Call the sergeant. I'm calling the sheriff's department. I'm calling the sheriff's department and they're going to override your [ __ ] [ __ ] you, [ __ ] >> After the arrest threat and the locked door, the cameraman no longer saw this as a simple misunderstanding. He immediately called another officer to the scene and that arrival began pushing the story in a far more unpredictable direction. >> Huh. Look who it is. >> You're right. >> No, I'm not. Port Edward PD, Huntington. >> Officer Huntington. >> Huh? >> Give me two seconds. >> Yeah, go ahead, man. What's your name again? >> Sergeant Sullivan. >> Sullivan. Sergeant Sullivan from What was it? Uh, Salem? >> Yep. >> Was that in Salem at the post office? Awesome, man. Yeah, you did pretty good over there. >> So, what are we doing? >> So, I got a concern over here. You obviously know what I do, okay? >> Yep. >> I'm literally going into this public building, town hall, pulling records, looking at public interests, um, flyers, stuff like that. >> Hey, hey, you your name tag on. >> I do, man. So, long story short, they called Fullerton PD. I asked simple questions. The lady did not like the fact that I was recording her. She felt uncomfortable. So, therefore, they went to go call the police. That's all really that happened. And I want to go into this publicly accessible building, respectfully exercise my rights. I'm not here to interfere or bother be disorderly, as you know. And I just want to peacefully exercise my rights, man. And he's violating them right now. So, I'm asking for your assistance. >> Hey, you never emailed me. You're supposed to email me something. >> I lost your email, but I got to go online. I know. >> You didn't lose my email. >> I did. >> I'm pretty easy to get a hold of. >> I know. I know. I've been really busy, man. So, they've locked the doors, okay, which is now I mean, the public needs to get in there. I'm a member of the public. I'm not Like, I'm not yelling and Look, man. No, they're not closed. I was just in there. They literally locked the doors on me. And he said if I go in there again, I'm going to be under arrest. >> Okay. >> I didn't do anything, man. The lady just didn't feel comfortable with me recording. She said, "I don't give you my permission." The whole blah blah blah, okay, as you probably know. And then they cause a disturbance, and then they call the police, and then they threaten me with an arrest. >> Okay. >> I'm not there to disturb them, Sullivan. You know that, man. I I don't Look, the last thing I want them to do is stop working. >> I just drove by. That's it. So, that's the only reason I'm here. >> Really? Cuz I got you dispatched. >> Okay. What What? You tell me what dispatch called? >> I called. I called the sheriffs. >> [music] >> I did. >> Okay. >> That's That's all? >> Yeah. No, I was just driving by and I heard him say. So, that's it. I mean, I just stopped by. >> Okay. >> Let me see if I can talk to Let me see if I talk to them, okay? >> Yep. >> I'll be right with you. >> Is that the chief? Are you the chief? Are you the chief? Answer me now, you tyrant. No. No. Yeah, he needs to answer me. Name and badge number now. Name and badge number now. >> Woah, hang on. >> It seemed like being blocked at the door was already the peak of the situation, but after just a few exchanges, that same door opened in a way no one expected. And when the cameraman stepped back inside, the original goal began turning into an even more tense confrontation. >> [ __ ] free speech. >> Just be respectful, that's all I ask. >> I will. Yeah, look, I give what I get, Sullivan. >> No, no, no, no, no. >> Well, in I know >> Be respectful. >> I will. I will be as respectful as I get respect. >> This is the the station here. This is it. >> That's it? >> This is it? >> Publicly accessible area? >> This is, yes. >> This is your office? This is Sorry, that's restricted, man. Come on. [music] He's testing me now. >> No, no, no, no. >> [laughter] >> No, that's off limits from the public, isn't it? >> No, if you came >> No, I don't want to go in there, that's fine. I don't need I >> I'm trying to explain something to you. >> Oh, I appreciate it. >> If you came in the file a complaint, I mean >> So, I need the lady's name. I'm going to pull her salary, okay? She refused to give me her name, which is fine. I didn't make a big stink of it, but I just told her it's unprofessional. You know, a member of the public comes in, says, "Hey, what's your name? What's your position? What services did you provide?" It's pretty much what all I do. And then they get all mad because of the camera. And then they call you, and then you trespass me, and then we go legal. And and you know what? It's not It It could be so simple. Just leave me alone, let me do what I'm doing. Ask Sullivan. Leave me alone, let me do what I'm doing, and I'll leave. It's that simple. >> Okay. Well, >> So, I'd like to go in there, and I'd like to I'd like to finish my I'd like to finish my audit silently, okay? And then leave. That's all I'm ask I'm not I'm not asking, I'm demanding that. I have a right to do it. >> Why don't you let us talk to them and see what we can do for you, okay? >> Let them know I'm able to go in there with the recording. And if I have any questions >> I mean, what what pamphlets are you looking at? >> I don't know. I haven't even gotten that far. I literally was in there for 2 minutes before she went nuts. >> There's There's no >> It's literally 2 minutes I looked at my clock, it was 2 minutes and 45 seconds, and then she got belligerent. >> Okay, there's I've been up front, there's I don't think there is any pamphlets, to be honest with you. >> Well, I don't know that until I go in there. >> Well, let me see if they >> Yeah, talk to them, put them in check, and let them know I'm allowed in there. Or I'll contact my attorney. >> All right. >> Before the confrontation inside could even cool down, the judge's sudden appearance began shifting the entire situation. And from that moment on, the original trespassing accusation started showing cracks that were hard to defend. >> How you doing, Judge? >> Come on in. >> Are you sure? >> I'm sure. >> Okay. I just want to make sure because I know I need permission in the courtroom. No, I understand. I'm not here to Yeah, do you know what's going on? >> I have no idea, but you know, the court's open to the public. You can come in anytime you like. >> Yeah. >> You just can't record. >> I understand that. I I totally I appreciate that. >> If you want to take pictures, take all the pictures you >> I appreciate that, Judge. Awesome. And what's your name? >> Judge Melchior. >> Do you have a card? >> Sure. >> Awesome, man. Look at that, professional. See, he's overriding everybody now in this county. Well, not the county. He's above you, man. He's above your grade. I went right to the top, didn't I? >> Is one enough? >> Yes, it is. Awesome. >> Hey, for the record, I gave you a business card, too, but you lost >> I know, no, I did lose it. It's in my >> In the end, there were no handcuffs and no arrest, but the entire incident exposed how a request for transparency can be turned into orders, threats, and unnecessary pressure. Next. At first, it was just a few shots outside the police department, but the silence quickly turned into a tense line of questioning. And when the man behind the camera pushed back with one simple question, the detective's attitude began making the whole story feel unusual. >> How you doing today? >> Hey, bud, can I help you? >> Uh, no, I don't need any help. Uh, who are you? >> I work here. >> You work here? Oh, okay, thanks. You work here? >> Yeah. >> Uh, what's your name? >> Why, who are you? >> Well, no, you came up to me. I'm just asking wondering, >> you're in a private lot. I'm just wondering what's going on. >> There's no signs making this private. This is This is public property here, right? Right? Okay. >> I'm just wondering why you're taking pictures of the cars in the lot. >> Yeah, I'm just taking video and picture of the car, exactly. This is like I'm an independent journalist gathering content for a story that I'm working on. Okay. You're You're not going to tell me who you are? I would just like to know who I spoke to since you work for the police department here. >> I am. I'm a detective. I work here. >> You're a detective? Can I get your name? >> What uh >> Get a name. I'm just I'm just looking for your name. That's all. I mean >> wondering what's going on. That's it. >> Yeah, and I'm just wondering what your name is. That's all. Really. Just cuz you talked to me and I would like I like to know who I spoke with, especially cuz you're coming You're a police officer making contact with me. >> Yeah. >> So, I think >> I'm just wondering why you're taking pictures of our police cars in our lot here. >> Yeah, no. I I I just told you that I am, that I'm an independent journalist gathering content for a story. But again, I would like to know who I spoke to since you are a police officer who made contact with me, a detective. So, if I can get your name and shield number, I would appreciate it. >> Okay. Can I get your name? >> Well, no. I'm I'm I'm a member of the public and I don't and I don't want to I don't want to have to identify myself to you. But as, you know, a public employee, you know, you should identify yourself to the public. That's all. Just cuz I I didn't come up to you asking you what your name was randomly. I just you made contact and I just want to know I don't see what's the big deal. It's public information, right? >> Okay. I'm just wondering why you're filming. >> But you you keep wondering that, but >> While the detective's answer was still unclear, the situation suddenly escalated another level. A female sergeant appeared, and after just a few words, the line between a public area and an order to leave became highly controversial. >> Hey, how are you? >> I'm a police officer. What are you doing? Can I help you? >> No, I don't need any help. Can I get your name and badge number though? >> cannot. Can I help you? >> I can't get your name and badge number, ma'am? >> are you doing in the back parking lot? >> I'm just I'm an independent journalist gathering content for a story, ma'am. >> Okay, about what? >> I I don't want to release that information until it's published. >> Okay, well, there's no reason for you to be in the back lot. It's police department and employees only. >> Ma'am, can I Can I That's That's not true. There's There is >> This is police parking >> Can I show you the signs? >> and village parking only. >> Yeah. >> Yes, village employees parking only. >> Yeah. I'm not I'm not parking, ma'am. I'm walking. >> police only. >> Ma'am, I would ask that you use a little bit of de-de-escalation >> Okay, well, I'm >> cuz you you came in kind of hot. >> You came in kind of hot. >> I'm going to ask you to >> This is pub- This is public property. >> is not public property. This is private property. There are police vehicles back here. >> That doesn't make the What law is that? What law means >> village code. It is private property. >> Can you articulate that code for me? >> of my head, off the top of my head, no. I can go inside and get it. >> Can I get you Can you stop covering your name and badge number? Can I get you How am I supposed to respect your authority if I don't know who you are? >> If you're going to be filming back here, you have to go up to the second floor >> Yeah. >> clerk and apply for a filming permit. >> From from >> I'm Filio Shields, 28, I'm a sergeant. >> Thank you for identifying yourself. >> to go upstairs to the second floor to the clerk's office >> Yeah. >> for a permit to film. >> What what Why would I It's freedom of I have freedom of the press. >> not freedom of press. This is private property. It's fenced off. >> This This is not fenced off. >> It says authorized personnel only. >> No, that's You just >> If you are filming on village property >> You literally just lied. >> Excuse me. I'm not lying. >> I I That's not what that sign says. >> This is It's fenced off, correct? Do you see the fence back there? >> There is no fence here, ma'am. >> need to be a fence here in the event we have to get out in an emergency. It is fenced off on the perimeter. >> Yeah. >> If you are filming on village property >> Yeah. >> you must get a permit for video. >> What law is that? >> That's a village code. >> Okay, calm down. >> You can go upstairs to the second floor. >> Yeah. >> And you can apply for a permit to do video taping on village property. >> The first amendment gives me the right to film public in public. >> Not on village property. It is a village code. It's the village of Larchmont code. >> If you're going to be enforcing code on me, I would like to know the code, please. >> and speak to the clerk. >> But you're you're you're telling me that I'm >> you >> Yeah. >> have to have a permit >> Yeah. >> to video tape in the village. >> According to a in co- according to a law. >> It's the village of Larchmont code. It's not a law, it is a code. >> Okay, and you cannot articulate what code that is. >> go upstairs and get it. >> Okay, so are you giving me are you giving me a lawful order to leave? >> Yes, I'm telling you you cannot video tape on village property without a permit. Even if you were making a commercial or you're filming a movie, any video taping in the village of Larchmont, you must apply for a permit. >> On public property? >> On public property. >> Okay, I need >> While the question of legal basis still had no clear answer, the female sergeant suddenly used a local ordinance as a shield for her order. But the more that ordinance was read aloud, the more tense the confrontation became because what was being used to pressure a citizen may have been colliding directly with his constitutional rights. >> Filming, village code 57 one. Subdivision two, no filming shall be conducted on public property without prior approval of the village of Larchmont Board of Trustees. So, you cannot film on our property without prior approval. >> That's interesting cuz it's public property, but that's interesting. I I mean, I'm not I'm not doubting I'm not doubting your code that you're reading. >> Public property within the village of Larchmont, you must obtain prior approval by the village of Larchmont Board of Trustees. >> That code is completely unconstitutional. >> unconstitutional. It is a village code. Village boards are allowed to Ma'am, free freedom of press means that there's no restrictions on it. I will be going up there. I will be going up there. I will. I will be going up there. I will. This this is not This is definitely not your property. This is a public This is a public easement. Yeah. So, I just want to clarify. So, anywhere I go in the city, I have to be I have to have a permit to film? Just just for clarification. Yeah. Okay. So, even even even from But, what I have the right to film the police from New York State law. Okay. That's interesting. That's That's in direct violation of the Constitution. They can I will. No, they can have their own code, but it they can't have a code that violates the Constitution that you took an oath to, ma'am. You You should But, the number one rule you should follow is the Constitution. You didn't take an oath to to the to the codes. You I understand, but you didn't take an oath to the I'm not even in your park I'm not even in your parking lot. No, I'm currently not. This is a public easement where I'm at right now. >> The female sergeant seemed to think that simply reading a local ordinance could turn authority into an absolute command. But, when she faced a citizen who knew the law, that very pressure began pulling her into far more dangerous territory. >> Ma'am, respect res- respectfully Ma'am Ma'am Ma'am, I'm on I'm definitely on a public >> right now. So, if you Are you Are you telling me you're going to arrest me if I >> I never said arrest. I asked you to go up to see the court clerk. Don't put words in my mouth. >> Okay. >> I asked you to go see the court the court clerk, the village clerk. >> Yeah. Uh-huh. >> permission to videotape. I'm asking you nicely to stop videoing. >> You haven't been nice since you got in here. Can I ask you a question, ma'am? Oh, and then I'll go up there. >> I'm not answering any more questions. I'm telling you to go see the >> Well, I'm going to ask you anyway. I'm going to I'm going to ask you anyway. What happens when you violate a code? What are the repercussions for violating large amount of village Yes. >> It's actually an arrest. >> It's an arrestable offense. >> You get a You get a DAT and you have to appear in court on the >> Can you give me one of Can you give me one of those? >> I'm not giving you an arrest ticket right now. No. >> But, I'm not >> a warning to go see the court clerk. >> I would like an arrest ticket. >> We don't give them out when people ask for them. >> So, what would What would I'm continuing to film. I'm breaking the code. So, if I'm on You're saying that I can't film. I'm on a public sidewalk. Let me make that very clear. I'm on a public sidewalk, and if it's against the code for me to film >> You were filming in the back lot where there were two people >> So, ma'am I understand that, ma'am. So, I would invite you to write me up on the code, ma'am. I would invite you to do that cuz it's unconstitutional. It's unconstitutional, ma'am. It's unconstitutional, and I would invite you to write me up on it. I am not. I am not. I am not even on village property anymore. >> Well, the sidewalk technically belongs to the village. >> It belongs Technically belongs to the people, ma'am. >> It doesn't belong to the people. It belongs to the village property. >> I'm going to make I'm going to be I'm going to try and be reasonable here. It's not against you. It's against that code, and I'm going to continue to film what I can see from public. >> video taping into the police lot. >> Ma'am, I'm not going to stop doing that cuz this is unconstitutional. >> you to go see the the village clerk to obtain a permit to continue video taping. >> Ma'am, I'm I'm going to stick up for what I believe in here. I believe in the Constitution. I believe in the freedom of press. So, if you need to write me If you need me, if if you would like to, you can arrest me or write your ticket of arrest, whatever that is, I invite you to do that. Whatever you need to do. I'm not moving from here, ma'am. I'm not moving from here. >> The female sergeant seemed to believe that authority and warnings could force the man to stay silent and walk away. But when every overreach was turned back against her, it became the moment authority had no choice but to quietly retreat. >> This complete tyrant. Complete tyrant. We're not going to back down from her unlawful order for her codes. >> We understand the concern here. We walked the red line. We have no idea who you are. You're taking pictures. >> I told you I told you my first name. I told you my purpose. I told you my job. I've informed you about the law and the Constitution of the United States. >> All I'm telling you is you can see the concern and we're >> I I can't I can't I can't see the concern, sir. It's in the middle of daylight and you guys I I have two cameras on me, a body camera and and you know, I don't see your concern. You guys have There's four guns between you guys. Where's your concern? I know you I mean I don't have a gun, sir. So, you guys have Where would you be concerned in this? How does that factor in? Logically, how would you be concerned when you guys have the weapons? Because I have a right to. I'm I'm a journalist working on a story. I have a right to. You can't impede my rights. Even that village code, I've invited you guys to enforce that. If you guys want to do your job, do your job, but that's not your job. You'd be violating my rights here today. That's not and that and I don't So, so I mean, I hope you don't. I would hope so I would hope not, sir. I would hope not. At first, you were You wouldn't even You wouldn't even tell me who you were at first, sir. What's up with that? Where's Where's the transparency? You walked away from me without even identifying yourself. That's not That's not That's not right. Hopefully, they do not violate my rights by writing me a unarrestable ticket for simply filming in public. That's all I'm doing. That's all I'm doing here. They're concerned, but yet they they're the ones with the they're the ones with the weapons. I don't understand that at all. There's no signs marking this restricted in any way. It says vehicles. I'm not in a vehicle. >> In the end, no handcuffs, no citation, just an abuse of power exposed right in front of the camera. 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. A fair society cannot allow authority to be used as a tool of pressure because when citizens who know the law are treated as threats, trust in justice begins [music] to break down.