Sorry, you're not going to film over the over the wall, all right? What are you filming for? You can film out there, but not look over the wall. You can't see in there. You're allowed to record on the sidewalk. Listen, I'm telling you you don't have a permit to Do you have a permit? Uh yes, I do. When a citizen who understands the law confronts police trying to enforce made-up rules, what happens next? Now, you're violating my rights right now. You telling me you're going to arrest me if I keep on filming? Your filming is Your filming is good. Yeah, you're about You can't record here. You have to have a permit to film. That's the first amendment. You don't need a permit. Freedom of the press. Constitution. A confrontation begins over filming in public. But the outcome could force the entire police department to answer for it. An independent cameraman appears outside the Delray Beach police station with a camera in his hand. But just a few minutes later, the atmosphere begins to change when the officers realize they're being filmed. Sorry, you're not going to film over the over the wall, all right? What are you filming for? You can film out there, but not look over the wall. You can't see in there. The eyes cannot trespass, sir. Sorry? The eyes cannot trespass. It's not your eyes. It's our eyes. Please put it down. You can film out here all you like, but not over the wall. What law am I breaking? Sir, can I have your name and badge number? I'm not giving my name and badge number. What about his? I'm not giving my name and Can you have him come out and identify? What's that? He's not a He's still doing it. We're going to leave. What's that? We're going to leave if you don't follow directions. I I I I can't hear what you're saying except that you're telling me to leave. That's all I can hear. I'm telling you to leave because you can't film over the wall and stuff and you wouldn't be able to see it without a permit. No, that's not true. That's true. What law is that? Can you tell me what law that is? What's that? You're breaking the law, sir. What law am I breaking? You can see if you can find out the hard way. Okay. All right. You're welcome to do whatever you can do about it. So, you're telling me you're going to arrest me? I'm not threatening you. So, you're going to tell me you have a permit? Find out the hard way, what does that mean? It means I mean you're asking me a question that you can figure out in the court of law. After a tense argument about filming over the wall, the cameraman refuses to leave. He keeps asking the same question. What law says I can't do that? But just minutes later, the situation grows more intense as more officers appear and the situation begins to take a completely different turn. What's your name, sir? I don't answer questions. I can't film it? No, you can't. What law is that? I'm going to check my eyes. The eyes cannot trespass, sir. The eyes cannot trespass. What's your name, sir? Uh I don't give that out. So, what's your deal with this law? What's your What's your case? Uh I don't answer questions. I'm going to ask you a question, okay? We have a robbery right now. After several minutes of arguing, the situation still hasn't cooled down. The cameraman continues asking about the law the officers claim he's violating, but the answers remain vague. And just when it seems like the confrontation might end there, he decides to step inside the police station to demand a clearer answer. Thank you. I'll wait outside or or in Yep. >> [clears throat] >> Oh, he's not in line? I'm in line. Oh, you are? I'm waiting. Oh. I I I I need service. Okay. I need service. I need service. Yes, I need service, ma'am. Um I was hoping to uh speak to a a supervisor. Uh >> [music] >> they're threatening to arrest me for a lawful activity and I'd like to know what the Florida statute is. Uh I I don't give that out. Yes. Th- This is a public lobby. I I can view I can video anything that I I I can record anything that's in public. Excuse me, sir. Could you uh give me uh your lieutenant? My lieutenant? Yes, some of you guys are threatening to arrest me for a lawful activity. Do you know what the situation is? I don't know, but he's in a car now. These guys are over here trying to threaten to arrest me for a lawful activity and I want to know where their engagement is and who they are. Right, and they say that because I'm holding this on a pole and I'm filming over the wall that I'm filming in a secure facility, the eyes cannot trespass. I think their issue was I had heard I didn't see you. But that's not a law. I don't want to know No, no, no. They think it's fine. It's a public facility. I think there was an issue where there was someone reported that you were filming inside. So, why are they involved in intimidation tactics saying they're going to arrest me for something that's not a law? They're trying to scare me is what they're trying to do out of a lawful activity is what they're trying to do. And now we're finding out if they want to arrest me, come and do it. I bet you they won't because they know it's not a law. Sir, I don't know what was said to you before. So, and so I'm not breaking the law by filming over the wall. The cameraman refuses to back down. He openly accuses the officers of using threats to stop him from legally recording. But as he begins recounting everything that just happened outside, the people inside the police station start to realize that this situation may be far more complicated than it first appeared. Sir, can you uh Could you please uh bring your Call your lieutenant to come speak to me? Okay. Well, I I didn't know he was coming cuz they were denying me service in there first. They didn't tell They didn't tell me he was coming. I actually I filmed for two of them. I need to get three of them. Well, I'll have to tell you I'll have to try it out. Fingerprints. Fingerprints. How are you? I'm finished. So, what's going on exactly? I was filming over the wall over there. I I come over and start filming on this side. Bunch of the guys come out of the detective room and they're telling me that they're going to They're telling me that they're going to arrest me for filming over the wall because they're I'm telling them the eyes cannot trespass. They're saying, "Well, you're filming something that you wouldn't be able to see with your regular eyes by using something to film over the wall." I tell them, "Well, tell me what the law is and I'll gladly leave. You can show me the laws, can you?" But I What I feel is they don't want to tell me the laws. They'll tell me they have to go look it up and then they're just going to arrest me for [music] it. So, I feel that there is no law and they're just trying to bully me into doing it. And that's That's just going to make me stay even longer. You can try to use intimidation tactics and make up laws to try to bully people around. This is what I'm trying to expose and they're they're showing their their colors right there by trying to make up laws that don't exist. So, I want to call on the lieutenant. I want to get all those officers' names and all their body cams. Do a public records request because that That's not okay. I I don't think there's any Florida statute and if they want me to leave, I'll gladly leave so they can show me the stat- the statute. Show me the Show me the statute, I will be on my way. I'll leave. After several minutes of explanations and repeated requests to see the law the officers were citing, the cameraman still hadn't received a clear answer. But as the argument began drawing attention inside the station, a commanding officer finally stepped in. And the exchange that followed completely changed the atmosphere of the situation. Yes, sir, how are you doing? Are you the lieutenant? Yes, I am. Came over to this wall, started filming. Bunch of your officers over there threatened to arrest me for filming over the wall. Right. I want to know I I told them I'd be glad to leave if you can show me the Florida statute and they told me to finish. Told them I'd be happy to leave if you could tell me the Florida statute. They said, "Well, if we have to do that, you're going to have to find out the hard way." So, my concern here is that they know it's not a Florida statute and they're just making it up to try to bully me into leaving. And that's what I'm trying to expose here cuz I think they just made it up. I'll gladly show me the Florida statute that I can't film over the wall. I'll gladly leave. I want to know is that a law or are they just making that up? But there there is partial truth to it. The fact is you can film over the wall, but it just depends on how it's done. I'm doing it from a public from a public access- accessible area. That's legal? If you're doing it from a public accessible area, they can normally trespass the residence and then you're trespassing. So, they So, they were making that up then. I know if they're making it up. They they're They were just informing you of something. You could be subject to arrest in this. Pretty much where where it stands. Well, can I I would I would like to get all their names and badge numbers. I cannot hear saying over the walkie talkie. I would like the public record request all the videos of the the three different videos that are taken with their body cams holding them up over me. >> Okay, would show me your video and I'll tell you who they are. Okay. Does that make sense though? >> [music] >> What he said. It's kind of like if you had you had a private property like at your at your house, should you have some expectation [music] of privacy? Uh the ice Just asking you. Forget about what's happening here. If I'm behind closed doors where people cannot see from public property You're on You're on your own property. Correct. >> be able to reach over property and take pictures of you behind your house. No, but you could take pictures of me from public property from public access. But would you agree though I reached over the fence? That would be yes, but I haven't done that. >> Okay. Well, I just want I have a warrant for you. Yeah. Crossing into the back lot of the police department. That's I didn't cross into the back lot. You used strategically worded it to try to intimidate me to from my right to film. Well, you told me if you went You told me that if you were going to go look it up I was going to find out the hard way. This is what we're trying to hear. This is what we're here to expose. Our constitutional rights being bullied away from us. You have the right to film on public property. I agree I think we're I'm here to inform you Finally, when a commanding officer arrives and listens to the entire story, the tension that has built throughout the video begins to ease. What is said next starts to bring some clarity to the situation. But one big question still remains. Were the initial threats of arrest actually based on the law? Up next, at the Palm Beach County Courthouse, an independent cameraman begins recording the areas around the building. Everything seems normal at first until a security officer notices the camera and decides to approach him. hackers that were on the wall or something. Going to go film the fancy surveillance bring the the jail into it. We'll bring the buses from the jailers if they come and see you. All right, let's get it. from this side over here. Bye. Why are you scared of the camera? What I can see from public view. Huh? What I can see from public view. Why? I don't answer questions. Can I have your name and badge number? No. You're refusing to identify? Yes, I am. Isn't it your policy to identify? No, it's not. What is your name? You made contact with me. Are you refusing to identify? You're refusing to identify yourself, ma'am. Have you heard of the First Amendment? Did you take an oath to the Constitution? From a simple question about her name and badge number, the conversation quickly becomes uncomfortable. When the female officer continues to refuse to provide the information, the cameraman has no choice but to request a supervisor. And just minutes later, a higher ranking officer arrives to address the situation. >> [snorts] >> Are you the supervisor? Is it not your policy to identify? Identify who? I asked your fellow officer to identify herself three times and she's refused to. I can't file a complaint against her if she does not give me her name and badge number. She's refusing to identify. Do you want to file a complaint against her? Yeah, she's refusing to identify. I'm asking you if you want to file a complaint or Well, I I I I will go to the sheriff's office and take care of that myself. I would like your name and badge number. I'm Sergeant Bailey, 97330. What is your name badge number, ma'am? You're still refusing to ID? Yeah, people identify. I identify as Sergeant Cross. So, you weren't going to You weren't going to identify until your supervisor is here. I have a name. I have a name. I got identification. Yeah, yeah, unwillingfully only because you are here now. Do you know what Do you know what the First Amendment is? I can view any I can I can film anything that I can see from public view. Okay. So, are you guys concerned with what I'm doing? Sorry? Are you guys concerned with what I'm doing? I'm not going to say anything. You guys seemed to shut the door and come out here to watch me as if you guys were concerned about what I'm doing. Sorry? You guys see me shut your your port door and came out as if you're concerned with what I'm doing. No. Isn't there any more pressing matters to take care of? I'm kind of not. Do you have any other questions? Even with the supervisor present, the questions about filming rights and the officer's identity still go unanswered. As the conversation begins drawing attention from people nearby, a new argument quickly erupts. Hand back. What What What was your name and badge number one more time? Sergeant Bailey, 97330. >> And this is my identification. Here's my name right here, sir. Do you not like the First Amendment of the United States, sir? I'm sorry? Do you not like the First Amendment of the United States? >> First Amendment. I love all the amendments. Well, it seems like you're concerned about a public journalist out here gathering content for a story. I'm not concerned at all. Have I violated any of your constitutional rights? No, but I'm just doing a story about how our tax dollars are spent. Okay. Do you have any questions that I can answer? No, sir. Okay. Hey, I passed a couple crack dealers down there. You can go film them. I mean they're criminals instead of wasting your law enforcement's time. He's wasting his time. Hey, hey, how am I wasting his time? How am I wasting HIS TIME? HE'S WASTING YOUR DOLLARS. He's wasting your dollars. Yeah, YOU CAN'T YOU CAN'T STOP AND debate me cuz you don't know what you're talking about. Just when it seemed the argument had settled down, another officer stepped in with a controversial claim about the area. From that moment on, the confrontation over filming rights and the law began escalating once again. You're allowed to record on the sidewalk of the state. I'm telling you what You don't have a permit to Do you have a permit? Uh yes, I do. >> Let me see. The First Amendment Constitution here is public You have to be on the sidewalk. You have to be on the sidewalk or This is not public property. This This is a private county building in the city of West Palm Paid by taxpayers. Who Paid by taxpayers, yes, but it's still private. >> Can I have your name and badge number? >> Yes, you can cross Cross, 6270 is my ID number. And what are you going to do if I refuse to leave? Sir, listen. I'm giving you a direct order. You You can record from the sidewalk. That sidewalk there or sidewalk there. Okay? But you can't be in between basically the pavers from sidewalk to sidewalk. But I'm on the sidewalk over here. I'm more than happy to talk to you over there. But you have to have a permit to film here. Okay? You have to have a permit. You're going to get yourself in trouble, ain't you? First Amendment. First Amendment. Hey, you're just bothering those guys. You got to leave them guys alone, man. They They engaged me. I didn't engage them. Well, sure. Yeah, you're You can't record here. It's what we have to do for a minute. It's the First Amendment. You don't need a permit. Freedom of the press. Constitution. Did you take an oath to the Constitution? Sir, you can record from the sidewalk. >> [laughter] >> Do you know what the First Amendment is? Hey, put this on your video. Get off their property, boy. Clear it. >> This is my property, sir. >> All right. >> It's not their property. It belongs to the people and they work for me. Right Right here, you can record all If you don't like it, why don't you go move to North Korea where you don't have a First Amendment right? I'm not going to jail and if they do, they're just going to light fires that are even bigger. Thank you very much. Sure, the sidewalk. But this is public property. You have to have a permit, sir. This is a I told you this is county property in the city of West Palm Beach. You have to have a permit. So, what are you going to do if I walk back up there? Sure. Listen. What are you going to do if I walk back up there? >> You're going to be in violation of that and we can issue a county ordinance violation. So, you can arrest me if I walk up there? Sergeant Cross. Sir, you're going to be all over YouTube. And my channel's blowing up, buddy. Can you tell me what the You're more than welcome. Listen, you're more than welcome to film from the sidewalk. Okay? What are you going to do if I walk back up there? Sir, you can You're going to be in violation. >> So, what are you going to do? Well, it would be a county It would be a county ordinance violation. So, you can write me a ticket? Well, we we'll give you a notice of We can give you a notice up here or it's a physical arrest, either one. That's what we can do. So, are you telling me she's going to violate my Can Can you tell me what the First Amendment is? Can you tell me what the First Amendment is? >> Listen, you have freedom of speech. You can do that. That's fine. It's not It's not just Warnings begin to surface and the officers insist that the cameraman cannot stand in front of the building. But he keeps asking one crucial question. What law actually prohibits that? And just when the argument seems to reach a stalemate, another development begins to unfold. These are the ones I'm trying to figure out how you can get some of these again, man. So I'll follow you out there, right? So stand to the side. They're not allowed to take pictures here at the courthouse. This is not public property. It is, but they but they don't allow it. What What Florida statute is that? I can find that for you. Can you tell me? Not right now. Don't do it. Well, what if somebody accompanied me to come find out what the statute is? I'll I'll find out. Cuz I believe it's just policy. I don't think it >> sir. Go ahead. I Is somebody going to come with me? Where are you going to meet me? The confrontation ends without clear answers to all the questions that were raised. And that is exactly what makes this video a notable debate about citizens' rights. In situations like this, citizens may file a lawsuit [music] under Section 1983 if their rights are violated. Officers who violate those rights could face civil liability, disciplinary action, or even termination. In a civilized society, police are granted authority to protect the community, but that authority must always be accompanied [music] by responsibility, transparency, and respect for the Constitution. 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]