control vehicles and holding your phone is interfering with your recording. What is your intention? What is your nature or what is your business? Well, I'm going to need your information about these cars. These cars get broken into. >> Am I leaving or am I recording? What am I doing? I just said if you want to record my my car and document it, you're more than welcome. But I've asked you to leave, so it's time to leave. An ID request that seemed routine until it became clear there was absolutely no legal basis for it. Your ID. I'm I'm welcome I'm Where's your driver's license? I'm not going to give you anything. Okay, then you need to leave. Otherwise, you are going to be trespassing. Well, I'm done recording. The police thought they could force a citizen to hand over his ID, but with the camera still rolling, everything quickly turned into a legal nightmare. An independent activist visits Germantown City Hall and the police department to film in public areas aiming to test government transparency and accountability. Soon after, a tense confrontation erupts outside the building when an officer repeatedly demands his personal information. created by the employees here. Right away, that's already good. Board members There goes our friendly reminder that they're always recording us. Even though it's always an issue when we record them. alderman All the different aldermen here. And this is the mayor. Mike Palazzolo Finance and General Services Let's see what's down here. Hi. Hi, man. How are you? I'm good. How are you? I'm doing well. How can we help you? Um I don't need any help at the moment. Thank you though. I appreciate that. >> You sure? Yeah. I'm okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Have a nice day. >> You, too. All right, so everything went well on the inside. Take a look around the building. Always be on the lookout for any restricted area signs or no trespassing signs. Because again, our objective here is not to break the law. It's to peacefully exercise our rights. That's it. Police department is right here. The backside of the city hall. To protect and serve. If only all law enforcement officers truly understood that. How you doing today? Sir? How you doing? Good, good, good. Just checking around. You walking around? You looking for somebody? No, I'm not looking for anybody. All right, just checking around, man. Like I said, we try to keep this lot secure and what not. Oh, okay. Yeah, that's fine. These cars and all. Don't want nobody breaking in. That's all. Take care. Everything still seemed calm as he walked around the city hall and the police parking lot. But just seconds later, an officer approached and this routine recording was about to turn into a tense confrontation. All right, now I'm curious. You're curious? Yes, sir. German Town Police Department. Uh-huh. What's your name and badge number? Officer German Town Police Department. Will you sit tight right there for me? Yeah. Yeah, I'm curious as to why you're walking around patrol vehicles and holding your phone as if you're recording looking into What is your nature or what is your business? Oh. 712. That's That's exactly what I'm doing, officer. I'm recording the police vehicles. >> Okay. Stand by what I'm saying to you for a second. All right, well what's your name? That way in case these cars get in I I don't give out any private information. >> okay, well, I'm going to need your information if these cars These cars get broken into, I'm going to need your information. Are you do you suspect me of committing a crime, sir? Well, sir, you're walking around looking in these cars and I'm trying to make sure none of that's going to happen. Is that a crime, sir? Well, I'm trying to make sure a crime doesn't That's not a crime, sir. I I I only provide my information when you suspect me of committing a crime. You need reasonable articulable suspicion that I've committed a crime, sir. Suspicion is not a crime. Give me a second, though. Sure thing. Will you stay over here by my uh video camera, please? Stay over where? Right here in front of my video camera. >> Am I being detained? Right now, we're going to find out why you're looking at these cars in case you might be breaking into cars later. >> Am I being detained, sir? >> Yeah, that's what we're trying to figure out. Am I being detained? >> any reason why you're doing that? Can you give me a good answer? Am I being detained, sir? >> you to please give me a good answer why you're looking at Am I being detained, sir? Is that what I'm doing? Check. I mean, you checking up on me before, that's all good That's all good, but hopping out and then I saw you kind of looking at patrol cars, you're recording. So, I'm trying to make sure, again, you're not looking to case these vehicles to break into because we have had people do that. You've had people break into police police cars. Yes, sir. We've had that. On a police parking lot. Okay, yeah, believe it or not, Has it happened before? I doubt that's ever happened. >> Okay, well, hey, I can look into it. Okay, good for you. Well, again, that's why I'm trying to get your information and make sure if anything happens, I can say I have spoken You're not going to get my information today, officer. So, sit tight on that one, okay? Sit tight on that one? I'm going to speak to my lieutenant Yeah. You're not going to get my information. out of the way. I'm going to stand where I'd like, please. Thanks. I'd appreciate it. Questions about his identity and purpose kept coming while the cameraman remained calm and firmly asserted his rights. When neither side backed down, the officer called for guidance from a superior, and what came next would quickly change the entire course of the situation. He's allowed to video tape in the parking lot. For who? I just want to know who you spoke with, sir. Our captain. Okay. You mind if I get your name and badge number? My name is Officer Foley, 0695. Thank you. And and the captain you spoke with? He just said I don't know which captain was but he just got to I call call my lieutenant he said captain said you can walk around the cars or whatever. All right, I just wanted to make sure that you just in case cuz he doesn't seem too happy that I'm recording. Yeah, I just got a phone call so Okay, that you came over here officer Foley and you say saved the day cuz I I didn't know what this guy was going to do to be honest. Oh no, he's fine. Okay, I hope I hope so. Okay, you're good. I hope so. I'm a good guy too, I promise. I'm not here with any nefarious purposes or anything like that officer Foley. All right, well thank you, sir. Better not pull that that notepad out anymore cuz you're not getting my name. What's up? Well, the only thing that raised my captain's that I could use what he was doing was that he was trying to pull on door handles and cars or anything like that. But when he was kind of getting the black about it it just kind of made me worry cuz he was kind of saying things like that. So I just started kind of kind of random for somebody to be doing that. Oh, did he? Okay. No, that's what I appreciate like I said he wasn't giving me much to work with as far as why he was randomly walking around the police department or anything like that. But I appreciate it. Thanks again. All right. Cool, man. All right, well like I said just obviously you're recording us and we're recording you so hopefully you know, nothing else comes up back here. All right, so take care of yourself and be careful. Yeah. Told you you weren't going to get my name. Or information. Nothing. After a brief call with a superior the atmosphere in the parking lot noticeably began to change. Whatever was communicated seemed to ease the situation and the officer's attitude was no longer as tense as before, but the story wasn't over yet. I'll smile for you. That'll work, man. That way you can't see if anything comes up, like I said, all right? I'll smile for you. You'll have a You'll have a You'll have a picture with no name. Great great investigative work there, buddy. Jesus. There is always got to be one. So, you got Officer Polio over here and the captain, thankfully. Cuz this I got tyrant vibes off of uh this officer here. Definite definite tyrant vibes. There's nothing wrong with taking some pictures of taxpayer-funded vehicles. Nothing wrong with it. I told him that's what I was doing. And if he wouldn't have been such a jerk to me, I would have explained more. You guys have seen in some videos, I give out my first name, my purpose, independent journalist, but he was being such a jerk trying to demand things from me. Now, I'm going to invoke my rights. I don't have to tell you anything. You want to be difficult, I'm going to be difficult with you. You want to try and force me to talk to you. That's why I always say, de-escalation is key. It is key. 100%. I don't know why they have any need for these kind of vehicles when they never use them. In time of crisis, we all saw what happened at the Uvalde shooting. Didn't use any of their high-tech equipment they have, any of their military equipment. They should be stripped of all their high-tech equipment and all their military hand-me-downs if they're not going to use them when the community needs them to protect us. But then the courts say they have no obligation to. But yet they were preventing parents from going inside, right? This doesn't make any sense to me. All right, guys. So, we're just going to get a few more pictures of these tax-payer vehicles in this public parking lot here. This incident ultimately ended without escalation, but it left behind a clear message. The right to film in public remains a controversial issue in many encounters between citizens and law enforcement. 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. Up next, a man was recording video in a public parking lot when he noticed several police or sheriff vehicles appearing to follow him. What happened earlier that made him return to this place to confront them? So, as I was explaining, not specifically saying that you were two talking, Uh-huh. but they appear to be communicating vehicle from vehicle, okay? Parking next to each other. Then either the same person or a third deputy followed me around all the way to the Arco gas station. I crossed this Before I even crossed the street, I witnessed him pulling into the parking lot over there by uh the breakfast area. He made a a U-turn in the empty parking lot. Okay? Made a right turn on this street, went all the way to the newer apartment buildings, came back around, and then I I him over there by Shell and on my video I told him pull into the Shell so I can confront him and I said that multiple times. I I clearly expressed to him, "Why are you following me?" Well, like a coward he took off back into this parking lot and by the time I got here all three were gone. Okay? This occurred after you were video taping this facility. Correct. So why were you video taping this facility? >> For my own business. Okay, but this is a private This is public area, ma'am. Okay. So, can you see how when you Where? Show me the sign that it's a secure facility, sir. Okay. So, do Show me the sign. Hold on. Show me the sign where it says secure facility. Okay. You can only access it through an access card. There's eight feet of >> I standing right now? Where are we standing right now? Right now, where am I standing? No, answer my question. Where am I standing right now? So, you are not allowed Do you know why? No, I'm not going to allow you cuz instead of doing your job and listening to me, you're trying to accuse me that is a fight that something wrong. Did I do something wrong? If you're in here recording our video of our vehicle, Right. Yes. And it's a secure facility. >> So what? But I'm telling you that would be suspicious to us. That's not normal. >> Okay, so once you figure out that that's legal, why continue to pursue me? So, I don't know what they did. What I'm trying to help you understand >> No, you No, right now, let's go back. Okay, then if you're not going to help me and if you don't want to argue with me, you Both of you From the very beginning, the man insists he was followed by police vehicles after filming in the area. But as he tries to explain what happened, the conversation quickly shifts in another direction and within seconds the situation is about to become far more tense. Yes, I can. >> No, you can't. Do not assault me, sir. I did not assault you. >> Yes, you did. I You in your way. Don't do that. You do that again and we will have a serious problem. I'm telling you today is not the day. Today is not the day. I will stand my ground and I will physically defend myself. I promise you that. >> want that, right? >> Don't don't assault me again. I'm promising you. >> assault you. >> Yes, you did. My hands were I can I'm a free man. I'm a free man on a public property. I can move around as I please. You do this [ __ ] again, I promise you you will have a problem. >> welcome >> Don't talk to me again. You're both dismissed. Well, I'm not dismissed, sir. This is my sergeant. He's here to talk to you, okay? I don't want to talk to anybody anymore. Okay, then you're free to leave. I can freely stay. What's your name, sergeant? Hello, Thor. Am I allowed to be on this property? Not right now. We told you to leave. What law am I breaking? >> no business here. >> What law am I breaking? >> no business >> Absolutely have business here. I just explained what my business is. >> Talk to your lady over here. I'll explain it to you. >> I'm doing my investigation. Okay. You can leave. I'm not going to leave. You can piss off. This is public property. I'm conducting my own business, my own investigation and you don't have any right to tell me I have to leave. Sure we do. No, you don't. This is county I don't give a damn what you say. You can say whatever you want. I don't have to follow your [ __ ] Okay? Let me look this up real quick. Go ahead, look it up. Right there. It says right there. Public works. Public property. All public. I own all of this land. Everything. I own these vehicles. I own this lot. I own your dress code. Everything that's on you. On you. On you. Everything. Your salaries, I pay for them. So, you've already been explained that you need to leave. I don't give a damn what you say. You don't have any right to tell me I have to leave off of property. I'm not breaking any laws. >> this secure facility is >> It's not a secure facility. I'm on a public public parking lot. You need to leave. >> not behind the fence, you idiot. So, we're not calling you names, right? The situation gradually heats up as the debate over the right to film and public access continues. From this point on, the atmosphere becomes more tense than ever. Then, when a supervising officer arrives, the dynamics of the confrontation begin to shift. So, can you see why? You can record all you want. >> Exactly. You just said I could record all I want. >> You can record that, but then we've asked you to leave. >> Well, okay. Am I leaving or am I recording? What am I doing? >> I just said if you want to record my my car, document it, you're more than welcome. But, I've asked you to leave, so it's time to leave. Okay, so am I am I allowed to record? You already got it. You already got my car. You got my license plate. You got my name. >> want to do it a little bit more? It's now time for you to leave. >> Yeah, I didn't get your vehicle. You already did. I watched you. So, it's time to go. No, it's not. Time to go when I say it's time to go. Okay, so now I need to identify you because you were trespassing. So, I need to see >> I'm on public property. >> told you you're not welcome to be here. Well, I'm welcome to record, right? >> your ID. I'm I'm welcome I'm >> Where is your driver's license? I'm not going to give you anything. Okay, then you need to leave. Otherwise, you are going to be trespassed. Well, I'm done recording. >> I'm investigating a crime. When I'm done recording >> You are legally required to provide information. Be quiet. Be quiet. All right. Be quiet. I want his business card. Does he have a business card? No, you're not welcome to record. Does he have a business card? Go get his business card for me. I want your business card. Who is he? you are assaulting citizens, man? I didn't assault >> You're going to get a complaint. >> My hands were not out of here. >> You stepped right in right in right in front of me so that I would walk into you. That's what you did and you had physical contact. And I have every right to be here and record. Yeah, shake your hand. Keep on shaking it. You're definitely going to get a complaint. Okay. Yeah. This is not going to be acceptable. Okay. I want his business card. Go knock on his door or otherwise I will come up here. I don't give a damn what he's on. Okay, well you're not welcome to approach him. You need to stop. Give me a business card, deputy. I told you Sergeant, whatever. >> You're not welcome to approach him. He's on the phone. Okay, good. I'll wait. >> to wait. I'll wait. The man remains firm in his stance while the officers try to control the situation in the way they believe is appropriate. Questions about authority, the law, and his right to remain in the area keep coming up. And just when the conversation seems to reach a dead end, an unexpected development occurs. Show me the sign where it says business hours on this lot. Where is that at? Where is the sign of business hours of this lot? You've already been told to leave. Doesn't matter what you say. I said, "What are the business hours of this lot?" I'm not required to answer you. You need to leave. I'm I'm not going to leave. I'm going to leave when I'm when I want to leave. No, I'm not. Yes, you are. >> No, I'm not. Just because you asked me to leave doesn't give you lawful authority. >> telling you >> I don't give a damn what you're telling me. Get it? I don't care what you're telling me. Oh, I get it. >> I'm following the law. The law gives me the right to be on public property, record, investigate anything that has to do with public interest, especially if I am personally investigating a crime, being a victim of a crime by one of you gangsters. So, I just tried to talk to you and then that escalated and you were not complying. >> You crossed that line when you tried to accuse me of something that I did wrong. >> I asked you what happened on the 22nd. I just told you. And instead you just started yelling over me. >> Right, when when when when this dude attempted to us accuse me and then assault me. That didn't happen. He did not assault you. Sure he did. It's on record. Uh it's recorded that he stepped in front of you to That which he doesn't he doesn't I wasn't going anywhere that was restricted. I was just freely moving. Got it? I'm not arguing Where was I going? Was I jumping over the fence? Was I going through the gate or was I simply walking where it is clearly marked for pedestrians to walk? Look at the way you're parked. You're a lot parked illegally. If there were vehicles here, this would have been in violation. So you think do you own this lot? Does it belong to you? Does that belong to you? It belongs to us. Got it? We the people. The moment you put the uniform on, you work for me. And your boss, your sheriff, is elected by me. Understood? So you, you, and him, you all work for me. And I tell you what to do. And I tell you how to do it and when to do it. And I pay you to do that job. And when you don't do your job the way that I expect you according to law, we are going to have a problem. Got it? After a series of heated arguments, the situation shows no sign of cooling down. Each exchange only seems to make the atmosphere more tense. Yet, in the middle of the confrontation, still unfolding on camera, an unexpected detail emerges. One that will shift the entire debate in a completely different direction. Do you or do you not have a business card? You You're to me? Yes. Do you have a business card? Well, feel it's like you've asked me 15 times. I just opened my door. I'm trying to get your attention. She would won't even allow me to walk up to you. Well, I'm busy doing something. So am I. You guys can keep up. Thank you, sir. You see? You see? No trespassing. Learn something. >> You're wrong. Yeah. If you are right, you would have already done something about it. Do it. Do it. Better not see one of you follow me. By the way, that camera, I'm going to forward that. Make sure you don't delete it. The prolonged argument finally begins to settle. No arrest is made, but what just happened leaves many lingering questions about authority and the law. A civilized society is not built on confrontation, but on understanding, responsibility, and mutual respect for the law from both sides. 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.