What's going on? He's just like video taping. Okay. He won't give me the ID. He won't identify himself. I was just trying to video tape, you know, you know, a law enforcement building, law enforcement 13 the false. The police demanded identification, personal details, and private information, but they didn't realize that those very actions could land them in legal trouble. I mean, I I understand that you're having a video camera out and you're recording stuff, but I'm treating you with respect here and asking you who I'm talking to. I'm Officer Hernandez with the Anchorage Police Department. When police demand ID without a lawful reason, the consequences can come faster than they expect. A man stands silently with his camera pointed at a federal facility. Not a word. Not a reaction. But within minutes, that silence begins to make the people in uniform extremely uncomfortable. I see you. Let's see what else we can learn from the window over here. Need to scoot over a few inches to the left here so I can read that sign. Be good. The man remains completely silent despite a stream of comments from the security officer. But that very silence only makes the officer more curious and increasingly irritated. When curiosity turns into suspicion, the security officer decides to step closer. And this time, he begins asking direct questions. You got some ID? You got some ID? You know you're on federal property taking pictures? Oh, so you're one of those people that don't answer questions? We can stand here all day. I like being on video. So you having fun? Oh, you're like a non-verbal person. Okay. So what are you doing for the fourth? I'm not intimidated by the camera. So you're one of those people. So you have nothing better to do with your time? You're just strange for no reason. Have you been smoking? How about drinking? No? Interesting. So how much did your camera cost? I like the head unit. Where'd you get it? eBay? Mm, no. How about uh Circuit City? I can talk to you all day, man. It doesn't bother me. You are a strange individual. But why don't you take pictures over there? That's what you're taking pictures of, but you just like me. I'm like kind of camera. I guess. What what's the word? So you don't have any ID. You're not going to provide ID. So when the police get here, you're not going to give them ID either? You know you're required to have ID, right? You're a strange dude. Despite being questioned repeatedly, the cameraman still doesn't say a single word. His silence seems to make the security officer increasingly impatient. A few minutes later, local police finally arrive at the scene. And that's when the confrontation truly begins. How's it going? Having fun yet? Me? Yeah. Get out trouble? Sure is, sir. So what's what's going on? He's just like video taping. Okay. He won't give me the ID. He won't identify himself. I mean, you know, basically technically he can take pictures, but you know, when you start taking pictures of secure facilities and stuff, it kind of makes you wonder because of 9/11 and that would go in when Ramadan and he don't look like he's Al-Qaeda, I assume, but we don't know. But he won't talk. I've been trying to talk to him for like the last 15 minutes. Okay. Do you have ID on you? He's going to do the passive he's going to do the passive-aggressive thing where he's not going to provide ID or anything. Yeah. Okay. >> you know, it's pretty simple. I mean, he's not really trespassing, but cuz we got to What are we in Bravo uh right now. So I'm not real comfortable with him video taping. He's probably the same guy that was a bolo that came out of fall back about a guy that was going around video taping all this stuff. I don't know if you guys got it. There was a You probably did. He was video taping all this stuff. You know, I tried to get him to tell me if he has a website. He probably does. We may be even live right now. Really not that big of a deal. Uh he's passive-aggressive. So he can stand here all day. I can hold on. All right. Would that be it? Possibly. Hey, what's going on? Awesome. Officer Hernandez, APD. How are you? Is there any reason why you're not talking to me? Is there any reason This is what's been going on. The officers try to approach the situation calmly, introducing themselves and asking the cameraman to cooperate by providing some information. However, when he still doesn't give a clear answer, the officers' suspicion begins to grow. And just moments later, the exchange between the two sides starts to become more tense. Is there any reason why you're not telling us your name? Sir. I mean, I understand that you're having a video camera out and you're recording stuff, but I'm treating you with respect here and asking you who I'm talking to. I'm Officer Hernandez with the Anchorage Police Department. This is Officer Mercer with APD. And these are a couple of gentlemen here that work for the federal police. Is there any reason why you're not responding to us? We've seen this guy before, probably. Okay. Uh about a about a month or so ago. No. Hey, would you want to take your glasses off for us? Do you mind if I take them off so I can look at your eyes? Sir, is there any reason why you're not at all I mean, you can kind of see through there. Yeah, I don't think No. So is there any reason why you're out about filming the FAA building? I I probably would say yes cuz we had one that was kind of similar looking to this guy. But we haven't This is looks more like him than this guy. But it came out about 5 months ago, 6 weeks ago. So I mean, I've been talking to you for about 20 minutes, man. Is there a reason why if you're trying to get famous or whatever, you already had your time. I mean, what what more do you want? I mean, you took pictures, but at some point, you know, enough's enough. I mean, what what do you want us to do, man? I mean, we can go away, but at some point you're going you know, you're going to get to the picture to a situation where you're going to be asked to leave, and then you're trespassing, and when you get trespassed, that means you can go to jail. Do you You want to go that route? It's not really worth that. They try to explain that filming outside a federal facility can raise concerns for security personnel, emphasizing that if the situation continues to escalate, the cameraman could face legal trouble. However, instead of leaving, the cameraman remains calm and continues recording. I mean really I mean cuz you've done all you can do here today. I mean you've got all the pictures. I mean there's Elmendorf down there. You've got pictures of that already. How about taking a break, going home, and seeing what you got on your video, work it up on your on your website, and do what you got to do. Come back another day. I mean cuz I'm sure you get thirsty, get tired. Sitting on that stick can't be comfortable. Tell me what what's your end point? What are you looking for, man? You've got everything. I mean you've got officers on video. We're being nice to you. We're not going to body slam you, throw you to the ground, and beat you up so you can go on YouTube, whatever you're trying to get accomplished. That's not going to happen. So, what what do you want? I don't know sign language. Do you want to write something down? I got a pad. You want to write something down? I got to talk. Cuz you definitely understand what we're saying cuz I can see it in your face and your eyes that you understand what we're saying. So, we're not going to stand here all day. They got work to do. I got work to do. They got other priority calls. However, once you cross a certain line, sir, I don't have a choice but to have you go away. Cuz see this is like federal property. So, I mean I give you a lot of leeway, but at some point you you're going to have to make a decision. Do you really want to go to jail, or do you want to just take your picture and go away? Cuz at this point you've not taken anything that's classified. You're just doing what you do for your for your website or whatever you're doing. So, how about doing us a favor and take some pictures of You know what? Come back tomorrow and take some pictures if you want to. You know? I mean how about how about that? Cuz like I said, at this point what I mean you're taking pictures of right here. This is not the secure stuff. So, I mean basically it's buildings. You can go on the website. Matter of fact, I'll bring it up for you right now. On Google Maps you can see this exact facility. So, seeing the outside of it is not that big a deal. However, at some point the SPs are going to get a little irritated cuz like I said, it's federal property. It's military installation. We got classified stuff here. They got classified. But you're outside the gate. So, really, man, you pretty much got a free walk to a certain extent. The confrontation ends without any arrests, but it leaves behind a familiar question often raised in First Amendment audits. Is the right to film in public truly respected, or is it only accepted when citizens firmly stand up to defend it? Up next, as soon as the man begins filming outside the police complex, an officer quickly approaches and asks him to step back. Just seconds later, the first exchange begins, and the atmosphere immediately becomes tense. How you doing, sir? What's going on? What's going on, bud? Take a couple steps back, please. No, I'm not I'm I'm I'm I'm not here to give you a hard time. >> Sir, I'm actually just here to figure out why you're videotaping a public safety compound. Any particular reason, sir? I mean you just kind of kind of cause a concern for people who are around here, sir, okay? Can I help you with anything, sir? Is there anything questions you need to ask, or you know, something I can help you out with? Because this behavior is it's just not normal, sir, you know? So, a lot of law enforcement get placed under attack, and they just want to make sure that everything is okay, you know? The officer repeatedly asks why the man is filming, saying that this behavior is not normal. But what makes the situation even more awkward is that the cameraman barely responds. His silence and unpredictable demeanor begin to make the officer suspect that something unusual might be going on. Let's see what you got. Just want to see what you're looking at, you know? Something I can do Just you know, anything I can do, sir, just to kind of help you out. You know, get get what you need done, you know? I mean just just tell me what it is I can do because your behavior, sir, videotaping a public safety compound and and stuff like that just doesn't make sense. So, what what can we do for you, sir? Let's see what you got. It's about Officer Rice. You okay? Can you understand me, sir? He's not going to say anything. What does he want to do? Okay, we'll have EMS check him out. Follow my orders. You have EMS check him out for a second. Do you understand me, sir? >> It's just it's a little weird that you just videotape on a public safety compound, okay? I mean Is there something I can do to help you? I mean I I I'll answer any questions you have. Sir, do you understand us? Do you speak English? When they fail to get a clear answer, the officers begin asking more unusual questions, from whether he understands English to concerns about his health. At that point, the situation starts to take a completely unexpected turn. And just a few minutes later, things escalate further as police decide to call for additional units to the scene. Do you know what today's date is? You're being videotaped, too, sir. I got a body camera. So, it's working both ways. Do you understand me? Yes no? I have EMS coming to check out on you in case you're you have some sort of mental or or trauma to your head, okay? You have any ID on you? You have no ID? Okay. Okay. Do you know who our current president is? All right. Well, FD and EMS are right here. They're linked with our department. They're going to come check you out for any medical related issues, okay? You don't have any weapons or anything like that on you? No? Okay. Copy that. Signal 14. I'm trying to get through traffic. 10-4. You got any ID on you, bud? Do you know what today's date is? Sir, really I mean is there I mean rather than just videotaping I can answer any questions you may have, sir. Are you okay? Sir, can you understand me? You can? Okay. Can Are you able to speak or no? You You are? Okay. So, what what's going on? I'll do you even better. There's my card. Well, I want your I want your camera to see it before I hand it to you, okay? There you go. Officer Rice, Mount Laurel Police Department. Sergeant Strykowski, Detective Vaughn. I'mma put that in your car for you, all right? 10-14 I think he was able to get into the vehicle. We need somebody to take him out tonight. As questions about his identity and the reason for filming still go unanswered, the officers continue checking whether the man has any identification or dangerous items on him. But at that moment, the dynamic begins to change when the cameraman finally gives a direct response. And shortly after, the situation enters a new phase. Well, EMS is going to check you out. They should be here soon. You got any ID on you? No? You have no ID? Do you know your social? You don't? I can't buy that. Pretty sure you're not going to be able to record that cuz that's a restricted area. Yes, sir. Our compound is restricted. >> are, but I'm just trying to figure out why you're just trying to videotape, you know, um you know, a law enforcement building, law enforcement vehicles. It's just it's a little weird. It's that behavior. I mean we're just trying to figure out, man. Physical we already got four out here. Is it okay if I pat you down for weapons? Oh, you understood that. Okay. 10-13 11-12. You got ID on you? You have no ID? What's your social? You don't know your social or you don't want to give it to me? You're not getting it. You're not getting your social? Okay. Do you need law enforcement to help you out, sir? No. Okay, it's still 911. I know your number. Thanks for coming out, though. I'm 26. I'm calling 580. 580. Am I being detained? Has anybody told you you're being detained, sir? Of course not. 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 [music] or termination. The confrontation ends without any arrests. But it raises a familiar [music] question. Is filming in public really unusual? Or is it simply [music] a right every citizen has? In a civilized society, the rights of citizens and the responsibilities of law enforcement must go hand in hand. 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]