Here, the only reason that we're here is because somebody called us cuz they were concerned cuz you're filming around the the you know, this military uh bases base. >> Is there a law against that? >> Is there a what? >> Is there a law against that? >> No. >> Okay. >> Just that somebody was concerned because they seen you maybe holding the camera or something or filming, but >> Right. >> When civil rights are blocked by orders with no legal basis, it becomes an abuse of power, one that can cost an entire career. >> My policy is I can take pictures in public. That's the law. So, I haven't bothered them at all. But cuz it's public property. I'm not going to be on restricted areas or anything. So. >> You're trying to take videos and pictures? >> Yeah. >> When power is misused, the story doesn't end at the scene. It can end in the courtroom. A man appears outside a military facility in Van Nuys with nothing but a phone in his hand. But just minutes later, all eyes turn toward him and the doors behind suddenly shut. >> See if they respect uh First Amendment. See what happens. And there go the doors. Prying eyes. There we go. And uh I wanted to know what was behind door number three. Uh Looks just like a forklift, but Yeah. I am a complete civilian, but that looks like some Patriot missiles. Like I don't I don't know what the hell that is. It looks fancy. Looks expensive. And we paid for it. All right, here we go. Hopefully, uh everybody acts right. I'm mostly talking about myself here, so nobody else. >> What he had just captured inside that area quickly drew all eyes toward him, and within minutes that attention turned into suspicion. A call was made. And as he stepped onto the busy street, he had no idea that law enforcement was already moving in right behind him. >> More camera battery. Yes. Yes, it is possible. Going to hide in the bushes. Camera battery. All right. So, the police are rolling up. They don't know what to do with me cuz I'm on a really busy street. This is Victory and Woodley. This is a separate, stand-alone bus station. Uh I'm probably going to get somewhere where we can hear the audio a little bit better. Um just cuz I know there's going to be interaction here shortly, so we don't want to ruin the audio. There they go on a fishing expedition looking for me cuz I walked down that way. Too bad I'm not that in that area anymore. All right, cops are rolling up right behind me now. >> As law enforcement arrived and closed in, it seemed like everything was about to be clarified, but instead, the situation took an unpredictable turn. The man remained calm, continuing on as if nothing had happened. While behind him, officers began to follow closely, watching his every move. >> Hey, how you doing, sir? >> Good, how about yourself? >> Not too bad. >> May I get your name and badge number, please? >> What's that? >> May I get your name and badge number? >> Uh-huh. You're looking at it. >> Okay. Uh is that what you say when you go into court and the judge asks you? She says you say, "Your honor, you're looking at it?" >> Officer Hernandez, sir. >> Okay, badge number? >> so listen >> And what's your badge number? >> I don't know. 39499. >> How about you, sir? >> 39446. >> Thank you very much. >> Hey, so listen, the only reason that we're here, the only reason that we're here because somebody called us cuz they were concerned cuz you're filming around the the you know, this military uh >> Okay. >> bases base. >> Yeah, there's some cool stuff to to photograph. >> Yeah, there is. >> So. >> Yeah, there is. >> Is there a law against that? >> Is there a what? >> Is there a law against that? >> No, not at all. >> Okay. >> I'm just telling you why we're here and why we're talking to you. >> Okay. >> Just that somebody was concerned because they seen you maybe holding a camera or something or filming, but >> Right. >> that's about it. >> Okay, cool. >> Yeah. So, what's your name? >> Uh I didn't give it. >> You didn't give it? >> No. >> Or you're not going to tell us. >> Well, I both. I'm not Do I Am I obligated to? >> No. >> Okay. >> I I asked you. >> Okay. >> What would you >> Okay, can I get 50 bucks from you? >> No. >> Okay, well, I asked you. >> Okay. >> All right. I'm just If we're just, you know, >> You're out here just out for a little walk, little stroll in the park. >> Yeah, just shooting the I drove past here and saw that it was a cool location. Okay, backups arrived, good thing. We don't have the helo up yet, so give it 7 minutes. Um >> The helo? >> Yeah. Air one. No, I mean, if if I've if I've done something wrong, please let me know. >> Oh, nobody's saying you're doing >> Is this your Is this your supervisor? >> What's that? >> Is this your supervisor? Or or >> The exchange began with seemingly simple questions, but as it went on, the tension steadily escalated. When identification was requested but not provided, the situation quickly shifted into something far more unpredictable. >> Or >> He works with us, I know that. >> Okay. Hey, sure, can I get your name and badge number, please? >> Sergeant David Fletcher, 32168. >> Okay, have I done something wrong? >> No, the military was concerned that you're filming the military post. >> Okay. >> That's it. So, in this day and age with all the terrorist activity that we have with people like filming certain >> what's wacky is in this is this day and age when I if I I'm a photographer, I'm a professional photographer. In this >> That's what I figured when I read the >> Well, in this I don't I don't have all my gear with me. I just have my phone, but in this day and age uh if I photograph something from a from a public sidewalk I get put on a terrorist watch list. >> Not necessarily. >> Not necessarily? Okay. So >> Has that happened to you before? >> No, I'm just saying that you know, in this you know, if you want to use the line of the in this day and age it goes both ways. So >> Absolutely. >> you know. >> But do you understand where we're coming from? >> Uh not really. >> Okay. Anything else I can explain for you? >> No. >> What's your name? >> Uh I didn't give it. >> Okay. Have a nice day. I didn't give it. >> Great. All right. Thank you very much. Uh thanks thanks for keeping it professional and and quick. So it's not a waste of resources. I appreciate it. Thank you. You too, man. All right. There you have it. That was short and sweet. Professional. >> In the end there was no arrest. No escalation, just a brief encounter that came to a close. But what just happened raises a bigger question. Is the line between freedom and suspicion becoming increasingly fragile in the eyes of both the public and law enforcement? Citizens may file a lawsuit against police under Section 1983 if their rights are violated. Officers who violate those rights could face financial liability and may also be subject to discipline or termination. Up next, a woman quietly appears outside a police complex in Nashville with nothing but a camera and a few seemingly harmless photos. But before long, attention begins to turn toward her. What seemed like a few ordinary photos quickly drew attention from inside the area. Eyes began to follow. The atmosphere shifted, and then someone approached. From that moment on, it was no longer just about taking pictures, but a direct confrontation unfolding in a public space. >> Huh? Huh? Did you say something to me? Oh, I didn't hear you. I just heard you say ma'am, but I wasn't sure. Wait ma'am, I can't hear you. Okay. I'm sorry. What did you say now? I'm good. How are you? I'm on public property. I'm on public property. Metro Transit Authority. You see, this is public. Side visitor parking. This is where the public is. I haven't gone beyond your restricted access. Can I have your name and employee number? Well, do you work for the city here or the county? Well, that's the city, right? The city? Well, then if you're asking me questions, you should identify yourself. I mean, that's your policy. Thank you. I cannot see that. >> And your ID, please. >> I don't have one. >> You don't have an ID? >> No, I don't need one to take pictures. I'm sorry. What is your last name? I can't read it from here. >> I have to call you in. >> Okay. Who are you going to call? Go special >> 30100 >> Now I did cross right here. Now that's because you invited me to. >> The confrontation quickly escalated as neither side backed down. Arguments were exchanged, but neither seemed willing to accept the other's position. Then, as the situation began to slip out of control, a decisive move was made pushing everything into an entirely new phase. >> Officer, she taking pictures and she wants my ID and all that. And she And I asked her for ID and she just kept on. >> You know what? Is she on the property? >> Public property. Parking lot. >> She was taking pictures in the parking lot. >> Well, she's not authorized to be there. I know. >> Okay. >> Um She said that was a violation and then she started taking pictures of the things that were there. >> Ask Trump to build you a great big wall. >> Um You need to just go ahead and call one of the Metro officers to go over there. Is she still there? >> Yes. >> What? She's not causing a disturbance or anything. She's just taking pictures out in the where MTA policy. >> Can you describe this Look. >> [groaning] >> Look. Who is it and where is she located? >> I'm a citizen in the parking lot. >> This is her reply to your question. >> I am a citizen and I'm in the parking lot sidewalk in public taking pictures. No matter what your policy is, there's no law against it. >> I don't care what you're talking about, lady. You don't have the right to take pictures on the property. >> Yeah, I did. No. >> Exactly. Okay, now who answered that one? Who was that? >> Who was it? What they say? >> It was love. She needs to leave. Call Metro and have her escorted. >> Escorted? >> Well, wait a minute. She's on the sidewalk, ma'am. That's public property. >> Right. >> But if she's on the premise, she does not have a right to be on the premise taking pictures. What sidewalk is she on? Is she down here or am I? What sidewalk? There's no sidewalk. >> Next to the flags. >> She's around the flags, sir. >> Before the tension could even settle, the situation escalated in a way no one expected. What followed pushed things far beyond a typical argument, and within minutes, the arrival of law enforcement shifted the story into a completely new turning point where everything would be confronted head-on. >> I'm good. How are you doing? Can I get your name and employee number? Ford? >> I'm seeing Ford. >> Cuz you were talking to me. >> Okay. My name is Officer Quinn. >> Quinn? Nice to meet you. >> Nice to meet Uh this This fine gentleman over here, I guess, asked you to leave the property, and you won't leave the property. >> He asked me what I was taking video of. And I said I'm taking pictures of the flags, walking down the sidewalk in the parking lot, taking pictures of the complex, walked over here at this art exhibit for the public on the public sidewalk. And I went up to the door to see what hours that you were open. Walked up to the bus stop up there and took pictures of the routes on the signs for the public to read and took pictures. So, the guy asked me "What are you doing?" >> him what I was doing. >> Told him all what I was doing. >> And he said it's against their policy and I'm like "Policy isn't the same as law. My policy is I can take pictures in public." >> That's the law. >> So, I haven't bothered them at all. But, when he talked to me, I talked back to him and told him what I was doing. But, he didn't like it and people he was talking to on the walkie-talkie, looking all official, said it wasn't okay. So, then he said he was calling the police. And I said, "The only thing is I'm taking my pictures of the flags and everything around here. But, I'm going to leave when I'm done." >> Okay, so you just want to walk up and down this property in this >> Yeah, cuz it's public property. I'm not going to be on restricted areas or anything. So. >> to take videos and pictures? >> Yeah. That's it. So, I don't know if y'all needed sirens or anything to get here over such a threat, but I don't know. >> Who had sirens? >> Nobody. I joked with him. I said, "They're going to come with sirens and everything over someone taking pictures?" >> Uh is there a reason why you're recording me? >> Because you're talking to me. >> Oh, okay. >> It seems to have become a common thing. >> What's the common thing? >> Taking pictures while you interact with police now. >> I get it. >> The exchange with police seemed to be coming to an end, but the opposing views remained unresolved. As both sides held their ground, the situation entered its final moments where a decision would be made and the way it ended could leave many people thinking. >> Well, just know that that's private property and if you're asked to leave by security, you have to go, okay? That's private >> sidewalk and the flags, all of this is If you look at the GIS survey, this is all for the city. This is public. I can come park here, walk there, catch the bus there. >> park here? >> Take flags. No. >> Did you take pictures? >> Take pictures of the flags. Yeah. >> Where do you live at? >> Not here. >> Do you live in Madison? >> I don't want to give you all my personal information. >> Okay, do you have your ID on you just so I know who I'm talking to? >> No. >> No? All right. >> Okay. You need anything else? >> your camera on? Okay. Thank you. Have a good day. There was a guy named Quinn in Homeland. He was sexy. >> In the end, no arrest was made, but what unfolded left many questions behind. A minor situation sparked by just a few photos triggered an entire chain of responses, and the lingering question is, was this simply a misunderstanding, or a sign that the line is being pushed too far? Freedom is not only the [music] right to act, but also the right not to be treated like a criminal when you've done nothing wrong. Hey, everyone. What do you think about this situation? If you enjoyed the video, don't forget to like, subscribe, and support us with a donation. Thank you so much. >> [music]