So, they're going to want you off the property. So, you're going to get trespassed. >> Okay. >> Okay. So, they're going to get you their form now. If you don't leave once you've been trespassed, then yes, you'll get arrested if you don't leave. >> Do you have the 115 document? >> We'll talk down here. >> You I You are going to give me a trespass form? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. I need you to fill that to you. >> A trespass warning, a controversial demand, and a citizen who refused to surrender his rights. What happened next may leave many questioning the true limits of police power. >> Or I can kick you out. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I don't need to You know what I'm saying? Obviously, you guys should get back to work. >> If they don't want you here, they can ask you to leave. And if you refuse to leave, it's now you're committing a criminal act. >> What's a criminal What's a criminal act? >> Trespassing. >> But, you can't trespass me from a public building. >> All because of a camera, the officers pushed dangerously close to the line of abuse of power without realizing they were dealing with a citizen who knew the law. One seemingly harmless step was enough to change the entire atmosphere inside the public building. And as unreasonable warnings began to be thrown around, the tension started showing on every face in the room. >> Hi. >> Who are you? >> I'm doing great. How are you doing today? >> Okay. And who are you? >> My name's Steve. >> You're who? >> My name's Steve. >> Steve Oh, what are you doing? >> I'm just gathering some content. >> For what? >> It's something I'm working on. >> What is it? >> I can't share it yet. It's kind of a secret. I'm just working on a story. So, yeah. >> We didn't know you were here. Are you all like signed in and everything? >> Uh no, there was no one up here, so >> don't you come this way? >> For what? >> Because you need to sign in. >> Oh, sure. Where's the sign-in at? >> It's right here. >> Oh, yeah. You bet. No problem. Oh, it is the 12th [clears throat] today, isn't it? >> And nobody goes here at the front desk, so we Probably. >> There you go. Hey, how's it going? >> Good, how are you? >> Can we help you with something? >> Nope, I'm good to go. >> or anything? >> Nope, got everything I need. >> Okay. >> You're not here to see anybody in particular? >> Nope. >> Well, okay. >> Yeah. >> Well, you can't really roam freely through the building. >> Oh, why do you say that? >> We can have one of the superintendents to escort you around the building if you need to look at >> Oh, somebody wants to walk with me. I mean, heck. >> Okay, we can do that. We can do that. >> Yeah, I'll just stay here. You can head around. Appreciate it. >> After the initial confrontation, it seemed like one simple explanation could have brought everything to an end. But the deeper the man went inside, the more what waited ahead made him question the reason behind all those unusual reactions. >> Well, I just got to get some content over here. Do you work here? >> You can go downstairs now, please. >> Do you work here? >> Yes, I do. >> Okay. I'm Steve, by the way. What's your name? >> My name is Val Wright. This is my assistant superintendent. >> Hey, how's it going? Nice to meet you. >> All visitors All visitors need to be escorted past the lobby. So, as you saw on the sign-in sheet, there you saw when you sign in there. >> Yeah, if you want to have someone go with you, that's fine. >> There's a note. Absolutely. >> Okay, cool. Yeah, I'm just going to finish gathering my content. So, appreciate it. >> Hey, so where are you Where are you headed? >> I'm just checking out the building. >> Yeah, you need to go downstairs. >> What? >> Yes. >> Yeah. So, you So, the way it works, we have a visitor sign-in. >> Okay. >> Okay. And to be escorted into the private offices now, you have to >> seriously five people here? What do you want to just escort me? That's fine. >> Yeah, so uh my name is Brian Schur, I'm the director for safety and security. >> Nice to meet you. >> Yeah, Steve. So, I I do need you to go downstairs. You can film in the live lobby if you want, but you can't just wander around the premises. [clears throat] >> Oh, sure I can. Yeah, it's a public building. >> Okay, so do you want me to call the police or >> Well, I'd rather >> It's up It's up to you. >> but if you're going to call the police, I'll certainly wait for them. >> Okay, well, let's go downstairs and wait down there. >> Thanks. >> As questions about identity began to surface, the debate seemed to move far beyond the original purpose of the visit. And just minutes later, the arrival of police left many wondering what was really behind those demands. >> Name that you signed in under, is it the same as your ID? >> I won't answer those questions. You're a government employee. >> Oh, so why should I answer your questions when you won't be >> servant. You are not being >> Unless you're not a public >> honest with me. >> Unless you're not a >> You're not being honest with me. >> So he's falsely identifying >> You're falsely identifying >> yourself. >> And you're not You're not identifying yourself at all. But according to the record down there, is that your name? If that's your name, that's mean you have identified. If it's not actually your name when the police get here, that's an entirely different situation, isn't it? >> What is that situation when the police >> You guys are really unprofessional. You guys need to I'm work I'll I'll tell you actually at this point >> At this point we're not going to respond >> you exactly Let's Let's go downstairs. We got a police officer. >> I'll tell you exactly >> Are you coming downstairs? >> Do they need to come up here? >> I'm trying to get a public >> Hey Matt, can you come on up here? >> I'm trying to get a public records request done. I'm trying to petition the school district to seek redress of grievances, and I'm working on a story. So what would be really great right now is if the four of you could actually just assist me in that. >> So may I >> Is that going to happen or not? >> Yeah, he hasn't identified who he is. He did sign in, but I don't know who he is. >> PR office, by the way. >> You'd have to make an appointment with her. We got things we're doing. Hey Matt, are you on the way? >> Call petitioning. I need to petition the >> Are you close? >> I had asked him to wait in the lobby. He's refused to do that. I'd asked him three times. >> Okay. >> How many times have I told you and Excuse me. >> No. >> I'm talking right now. Excuse me. >> No. >> I'm talking right now. So what I'd I him is trespass him because he doesn't have a purpose here. He hasn't stated his purpose. >> Who's your PRO office by the way? >> You'd have to make an appointment with her. >> Is there a specific thing I need to do again? >> called petitioning. I need the petition as well. >> Are you close? >> And more importantly, he hasn't identified himself. This is a serious public service. >> And I don't know what he's doing. He's masked up. He's got his glasses on. And >> I'm working this right. I'm trying to get a public records request. >> He's signed in as Gandalf the White. >> Okay. I'll talk to you for a second. Sure. Uh Officer, do you have a body camera running? >> I do. >> Okay. Good. When the officer returned after speaking with the employees, it seemed like everything finally had an answer. But instead of ending the dispute, the officer's own confirmation pushed the confrontation into an even more tense stage. >> So it's uh oh by the way, uh Watson? >> Officer Watson, yep. >> Great. You got a business card by chance? >> Yeah. I'll get you one in just a second. >> Okay. Cool. >> So they're going to want you off the property. You're going to get trespassed. >> Okay. >> Okay. So they're going to get you their form now. So let's go downstairs and we'll get that get out of here. >> if I don't leave, you're going to take me into custody? Okay. If I don't leave, you're going to take me into custody? >> We'll talk about that here in a second. >> No. No. No. Am I going to be taken into custody if I don't >> You could. You could. >> So you're going to trespass me? >> You're going to get trespassed, yep. If you don't leave once you've been trespassed, then yes, you'll get arrested if you don't leave. >> Do you have the 115 document? >> We'll talk down here. >> I'm happy to talk about that. But you I you are going to give me a trespass form? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. I need to fill that to you. >> We'll talk down here. Okay. Keep keep keep going, please. This is your form that you requested. >> Oh. >> Here you go. Okay. So we'll go up. I'll get him trespassed. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Welcome to our city. >> Oh hold hold no hold hold on a minute there, Watson. >> No. You hold on. >> Am I being Am I being trespassed? >> You have your form, Rodney. >> Am I being trespassed? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. I am being trespassed or not? Okay. And if I don't leave I'll be arrested. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Do you have a form? >> All my forms are in >> I see. >> Leaving the scene did not mean the story was over. Because the officer's reaction afterward raised a new question. Was this really as simple as it first appeared? >> You need to make a complaint about what? >> A criminal complaint. >> Regarding what? >> Unlawful trespass and deprivation of rights. >> Okay. >> Well, you can go down and talk to my chief if you'd like when we're done here. >> No, I'm making a criminal complaint with a police officer. >> I understand that. >> So, you're going to take the complaint? >> You want to complain or not? >> Sure, but I'm going to have my chief do it for you. Not me. >> So, he's going to take it for sure? >> Maybe. You can talk to him though. >> Okay. I do need that signed by I'm guessing the white-haired guy. That's from 9852. That's the trespass statute. >> Here you go. This is your form. >> You do not touch me. You You touch me. >> There you go. There's your form. I need your ID though. >> 985280 doesn't require >> Okay. What What you How am I going to trespass you then? >> Easy. In fact, here. Okay. Let me Yes, I do. No. You just describe me. You put it on there and you say if you come back within a certain period of time, that's >> Are you going to leave the property? >> Absolutely. Do you want me to leave right now? >> Perfect. >> You sure? >> Okay. >> Yep. >> But I need the trespass form. >> Okay. >> Okay. >> You can go on the sidewalk now. >> In the end, no arrest was made. But the incident left one major question behind. When citizens' rights are challenged by the very people sworn to protect them, who should be held accountable? Next, no shouting, no violence, just a camera recording. But the reaction from those on scene left many asking one question. What were they really trying to protect? >> I'm sorry, so you can't be recording. Uh you can't do that. You can't This is personal, you can't be recording my personal cell phone like this. >> Oh yeah, you just have to do what you did. Just you have to close the notebook. >> be recording coming in here recording us. >> Why not? >> What do you mean why not? >> Just like what I said, why not? >> Okay, well Barb >> Yeah, Barb seems to not have a problem with it. I don't >> I don't know why cuz she should. >> Well, maybe she's on or maybe she's aware that I can do it. >> If you go to our website, this is what you will find. >> Okay. >> Um there is a link there that I just can't print it off. >> Okay. >> If you go to the website, you can click on the link and find more information. >> Really? So, you guys can't print a form off? >> Yeah, I I did. >> No, I'm talking about a form for me to actually fill it out. And if this these are just instructions. >> Sir, can you please stop recording us? >> Um I don't There's definitely a reason for everything, Barb. Barb Barb it is, right? Yeah. >> what is your reasoning for recording us? >> I just like I told you when I when you first asked me, just documenting. >> For what though? For what? >> My purpose. >> But for what reason though? >> Just my purpose. >> You're just randomly coming in our building wanting to for a health department or access? >> Just this building specifically. And if you guys can't find a form for me to actually like fill out, I'll just take a blank sheet of paper and fill one out. If you guys can't find one. >> You're applying your You're asking for your medical in >> No, ma'am. Just a No, no. Just a FOIA request form. Just Freedom of Information Act. It has nothing to do with our medical records at all. >> As the dispute over the right to record showed no sign of ending, an unexpected person stepped in in a way no one saw coming. and with an extremely aggressive attitude, the situation escalated faster than anyone expected. >> We're going to call the police. >> Yeah, they can call them. They can uh >> They're going to take you away. >> Ah. >> And what if >> Well, we hope not. We hope the police don't come and violate rights. >> me, though. >> Oh, well, you engaged me, sir. You asked me You started talking to me. >> I have a problem. >> Huh? >> I'm a patient. >> Okay. >> I appreciate you talking to him. Please >> Go outside. >> I'm not going outside. What do you think you could intimidate me or something? >> I'm not trying to intimidate you. >> I mean, you got up talking about go outside like you was wanting to, man. >> Don't you get >> This It ain't worth it, man. >> me. >> It ain't worth it, man. Go take care of your business and pay attention to what you was just doing at the window, man. >> Joe, it's okay. Joe, it's okay. We're going to take you >> Yeah. >> Don't worry about it. >> They can call the police all you guys just want. We we we It's okay. It's definitely okay. >> Okay, you are on private >> Don't worry about our video. >> It's public property, man. >> No, it's not public property. >> It say it right there. >> No, it says outside. The series is our public health center. >> You see what that say right there? >> It says public health center. That does not mean this building is public property. It's private property owned. >> It's private property owned. But so is DuPage County a private company? Okay. Okay. Do you think you're intimidating somebody, man? >> I'm not intimidating nobody. You're intimidating me now. >> I'm not How am I intimidating you? >> Yeah, you are. >> How, sir? >> I don't want to talk to >> Well, don't talk to me, then. Yeah, wait till they come. I can't wait till they arrive. >> Before the tension could even settle, a familiar word entered the scene. Arrest. But what surprised many was that the legal basis behind that warning still seemed to be a major question mark. >> Hey. >> How you doing today, officers? >> Pretty good. >> Pretty good. What's your name and badge number, sir? I see you, Officer Anderson. >> Yeah. >> What's your badge number? >> 317. >> 317. And you, sir? >> 376. >> 376. Real quick, um came in the grab a FOIA request form. >> Okay. >> Um Freedom of Information Act, you know, fill it out, turn it in. Um also documenting today exercising my First Amendment right to just be in public accessible areas. I'm not making any effort to go past any restricted doors or anything like that. I tried to convey it to a couple of different personnel here. Uh they weren't interested in even hearing it. Uh they wanted me, you know, they're saying they want want you to leave because I'm recording. Tried to explain to them that I have a right to do so. So, they uh dispatched you guys out here, which is a waste of resources and for something that's constitutionally protected. Sorry for that inconvenience. >> What are we going to do? >> Well, like I just told like I told them I'm going to fill this out. Um I'm going to document and get some more packets and things of that nature to see what's available to the public and then I'll book on out. >> What are you What kind of records are you trying to get at? >> Uh a couple of different things. I'll put it I'll fill it out on there. >> Anything that pertains to you, you'd be better >> No medical records at all. No no it's not medical records it's FOIA. Yes, it would be FOIA not medical records. If I wanted medical records, I wouldn't fill out a FOIA. >> I don't know what you need. >> Oh, yeah. Yes, sir. That's about it. Uh like I said, man, I apologize on their behalf for even calling you guys out here cuz this is a waste of time. You know, I'm in the public accessible areas and haven't done anything nefarious, don't have any ill intent today. Just want to be able to exercise my rights unmolested and go about my way. >> Do you need to see a doctor here or anything? >> No. Like I said, just want to file my FOIA, document the building. That's it. [music] >> All right. Well, let's start out form. >> I am. I'm definitely am. >> All right, then. Well, do that now, cuz we're not going to leave until, you know, you leave. >> Well, I'm not going to leave until you guys leave. Like cuz I'm I mean, you guys just can't kick me out of here for a >> I can't kick you out. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. I don't need you You mean, obviously, you guys should get back to work. >> Why you just Why you just fill out the form and take whatever pamphlets you want and we'll all go to the Capital Area Reference. >> That's exactly what I'm going to do, but I don't need you guys to baby sit me in terms of me waiting for me to fill out whatever document I feel out. >> want you here, they can ask you to leave. And if you refuse to leave, [music] they can commit a criminal act. >> What's a criminal What's the criminal act? >> Criminal trespass. >> Well, you can't trespass me from a public building. Mine is a crime. >> Very good. >> Well, if you look at what I was talking about the Illinois pile statutes, correct? >> But we can arrest you under our local ordinance, which doesn't >> As legal arguments began to weaken the basis for an arrest, the officers suddenly changed direction. And that move made the line between law enforcement and abuse of power blur more than ever. >> Go to Capital Area Reference. >> That's correct. I >> an ID? >> No, I don't have I'm just providing ID. Mine is a crime. >> What's your name? >> James. Same thing I told you. >> James >> That's correct. >> What's your last name? >> I'm not going to give you my last name. I don't think that I have to. Haven't done anything illegal. If you If you guys Maybe you guys are not sure, and I can understand that, because we're all human beings. >> with us, people be cooperative, go fill it out, and get out of here. >> I mean, I'll be perfect I mean >> want to be cooperative >> So I'm So So I'm being uncooperative by just exercising my right. Come on, Officer Peterson. That's a >> We can move this We can move this real quick. Just fill it out, leave it here, take whatever pamphlets you want, and we'll all go to the Capital Area Reference. >> You're absolutely correct, but you know what also you can do, Officer Peterson, is if you convey to them young ladies this young man is doing nothing illegal. He's going to fill out his paperwork, and he's going to leave. >> here? >> Why can't you guys just do that? That's simple. You're harassing someone that >> We're not harassing you. >> Well, it's kind of sort of, sir. You You're asking me to do things, and you're giving me directives and things that are like unlawful directives. >> They're not unlawful. >> They are. You're telling me that I should fill this out right now at this moment. >> You came here for to fill it out. >> That's correct, but I don't need >> Go fill it out. >> But I don't need Officer Peterson and Officer Officer Peterson rather and Anderson to tell me precisely when to fill it out. Why? >> fill out your fill it out and come back later. >> Cuz that's what I want to do. I want to fill it out while I'm here and just turn it back in. Simple. I'm I'm I'm definitely going to do it, but I don't need you guys to tell me when to do it. You know what I mean? >> to be out here all day? >> Of course not. Who's Who's going to stay somewhere all day? I mean, if I could have >> It seems like you don't want to leave. >> I could if I wanted to, but I'm not. Of course not. Like I did Again, I was going to say, if you guys are not sure, maybe you want to call a supervisor here, sergeant or someone, someone of higher authority that maybe know and understand my rights as a citizen. Maybe you guys and you guys are human beings, so you got you know, obviously can make a mistake, so we just don't want you to make a crucial one. Cuz it's not worth it. >> Just as the confrontation seemed to be moving toward a controversial decision, a sergeant suddenly arrived. And after only a few minutes of listening, the entire situation began to shift in a way few people expected. >> How you doing, sergeant? Pretty good. Um just >> he came here to fill out a FOIA and get some pamphlets ordered and he's not filling out his FOIA. >> No, it's right here. >> And he's been standing here a long time recording everyone. He's refusing to leave. Although they've asked him to leave, they do not want him in here. >> We've asked him to leave. >> So, is it Sergeant Floyd? >> I got Floyd. >> Floyd is >> Yeah, I'm Gerald Floyd. What's your name? >> James, sir. >> James >> James. >> How's it going? >> Pretty good. I Like you just heard your officer. >> Do you get services here? >> No, but as it is real quick uh sergeant, since you just listened to your officer, can you listen to me now? >> Sure. >> Okay, appreciate that, sir. Uh real quick, like he said, I came in here to fill out a FOIA. And I also came in here to document the building, precisely what I'm doing right now. I'm I'm in here exercising my First Amendment right. I conveyed that to these young ladies, however, they wasn't interested, so they dispatched you guys here. >> Okay. >> My thing is this. >> You understand James, right? >> Yeah. >> [clears throat] >> James, what FOIA information you're looking for? Were you a previous patient here? >> No, no, and that's what I told him. No, it's not about medical records. It's just FOIA and and in terms of the health department. Specific information. >> a bad experience with the health department? >> No, not at all. I'm just here to document and like I said, I'm taking up a story on this health department while I'm filing the FOIA. >> Awesome. >> Simple. >> Do you do you have like a YouTube channel or Twitter account that you like post that stuff? >> Well, I got like Facebook and I you know, I got a lot of different social media accounts. Yeah, yeah, so. >> You know, I've I've had the pleasure of meeting several people that have do those kind of like audits and >> Oh, okay. Yeah, yeah. >> I'm very familiar with >> Okay, so then Okay. And then and you know what? And thankfully you are. There you go. There you go. There you go. >> Okay. So, um what kind of accountability are you looking to check with here? Are you just looking to fill out the FOIA? >> I'mma fill That's like I told these officers, I'mma fill out the FOIA and I'mma document the rest of the building and get some pamphlets and then I'm booking on out. Simple. >> Okay. Okay. So, what kind of documentation you're looking for inside the building cuz you got to understand, right? You got the First Amendment protection of speech, right? And >> Well, freedom of press, though. >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. >> Not Yeah, I'm not in here trying to you know, protest or anything. So, yeah. >> And so, >> [music] >> if you're trying to document stuff and put information out to people >> That's correct. >> we we respect that. >> No one was arrested. No one was charged, but this confrontation shows how even one misunderstanding of citizens' rights can push a situation much further than it ever needed to go. Citizens can sue police under Section 1983 when their rights are violated. Officers who violate those rights may face compensation payouts, disciplinary action, or even termination. The story ends as a warning. When power goes beyond the limits of the law, the first thing damaged is not only citizens' rights, but society's trust itself. So, what do you 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]