He's here thanks he's going to do something illegal. >> No, I didn't say you were doing anything >> Yes, yes, you you going to give me your ID yeah. >> Excuse me, but you got a driver's license on you so I can at least identify you. It's my policy to talk to you it's my policy. >> [laughter] >> Like a ID driver's license >> A camera, a public sidewalk, but just minutes later police were already demanding ID and issuing controversial orders. >> I'm not breaking the law you're not getting nothing from me. >> more questions? >> Big Daddy You're not all cocky you get out of this car we're talking about you're going to give it to me. >> I know it doesn't got to do with the center road. >> You're a joke. >> When citizens understand their rights, unlawful orders can quickly turn into a serious legal problem for the very officers enforcing the law. A man quietly stands outside a company in Smithfield, North Carolina holding nothing but a camera. But just minutes later his presence begins to make the atmosphere noticeably tense. >> Making sure they don't mess with us. >> What do you mean? >> Making sure they don't mess with us. >> What do you mean? >> What do you mean? What do I mean? >> You said >> You >> You >> Yeah. >> What do you mean? Why? >> Cuz I can. >> Cuz you can? >> Absolutely. >> What's your objective out here today? >> Just making sure they respect our right to record, man. >> You're recording you're recording what? >> You >> Why? >> Cuz I can. >> Why? >> Why what? >> Why are you posting up at my job recording? Why? >> Cuz I can. >> And that's it? That's all it is to it? >> That's it. >> Do you have some enemies or something up here driving around? >> Nope. >> Have a good day. >> Got a lot of uh employees coming out the door. Looks like shift change. I don't know that it is. But from the looks of it, that's what that's what's happening right now. Anybody read lips? They It's One guy just walked back in, probably to tell on us. >> After being questioned by several people about filming, the man maintained that he was standing in a public place and doing nothing wrong. But just minutes later, the arrival of the police began to change the situation, and the conversation quickly shifted to another issue. >> How you guys doing? >> Living the dream. >> I got a call about y'all. Any other people taping? >> Yep. >> Can I ask why? >> Yep. >> Can I ask why? >> You can. >> You going to tell me? >> Nope. >> Got it. >> You ain't got no ID on you, do you? >> I sure do. >> Can I have it, please? >> No. >> [laughter] >> Got it. >> Is this one of the first Amendment audit things? >> It might be. >> It might be. All right. Well, I mean, there ain't nothing illegal about videotaping people, so >> That's absolutely right. >> All right. >> Can Can Can I Can I get your name and badge number, please? >> Yeah. That's hard to see. >> That's hard to see down there, isn't it? 9324. I have a 238. >> [snorts] >> So, running my tag going to tell you what's going on? >> My name is Officer Siddique. >> My badge number is 1272. >> Siddique? >> Siddique. >> Siddique. >> Yeah, S I D D I Q >> I got you. >> 1272. >> 1272. >> Y'all have a good day. >> a question. >> Yeah. >> Y'all know there's a gate here across This public all the way down. And I asked the guy who come out and talked to me. He said he didn't know. It's just kind of strange that they could close off a public road like this. >> I'm not sure. I think Some kind of It's may turn into private property. I'm not sure, bro. Cuz some some Well, you know, being state maintained and then at some point in time they transition into like a dirt road. So >> I don't I can't answer that. >> Yeah, I got one more question. Since you're a policeman, do you understand that the property line never comes to the road? That they don't own all the way to the road. It's always an easement >> Yeah, I I don't I You'd have to look at I'd have to go out there and Yeah, survey maps and all kind of stuff. >> Do I have to The property never comes to the road that they own. It's very rare. >> At this [music] point, the conversation remained relatively calm as both sides discussed the road ahead and the surrounding property boundaries. But just seconds later, another officer stepped out of the patrol car and his attitude immediately changed the entire atmosphere, opening the door to a much more tense confrontation. >> His name is >> You do what? >> Name and badge number. Pudding Tang. >> Okay, is that your real name or something? >> Yeah, that's my Pudding Tang. >> Yeah, so >> You going to give me your name? >> Do you understand that we got called >> You going to >> How far do you want to push it? How far do you want to push it? >> I ain't doing anything illegal. Thank you. See, this officer here thinks he's going to do something illegal. >> No, I didn't say you were doing anything illegal. >> Yes. Yes. You You're going to give me your ID. Yeah. Yeah, I'm not. Yeah, you're not getting it. I'm not breaking the law. You're not getting nothing from me. >> questions? >> Big daddy. Here is all cocky getting out of his car talking about you're going to give it to me. >> I know it doesn't go to the center of the road. >> You're a joke. >> But >> Big joke. >> know. I was know. going to call I didn't look at the maps because they may This may be a private drive here. >> Well, is it a GIS map? >> Because if you pull a GIS map, there's a disclaimer on there like, "Hey, you know, these are these are not exact, you know, you For it to be exact, you >> So, you want to give me some more unlawful orders? >> What you can tell is by the width. >> How else? You never gave me your badge number and your name. >> Yeah, it shows width prior >> You're going to fail to identify? Just call you tyrant. >> What is the threat? >> Just checking it out when you get a chance. >> Is there I mean, what's the reason for the question? Are you asking about the like because they're saying the road they're on your property [snorts] or something? >> See this guy right here? He's a tyrant. >> Well, I've always I've always been told to never say always. >> But >> There There are exceptions. >> Thank you, neighbor. >> There's always exceptions to the rules and all that stuff, so. >> You know, the buildings are right there. >> How far you want to push it? >> Yeah, I know what you're talking about. >> All right, really. >> Oh, man. How far you want to push it? Push these nuts. >> When the demand for identification was firmly refused, the atmosphere at the scene quickly grew more tense. While one officer seemed ready to push the situation further, the other appeared to realize that things might not be as simple as they first thought. And just moments later, the next development sent the entire situation in a different direction. >> You just missed. >> I appreciate that. >> Yeah. >> go home? >> I'm talking to Hal, sir. The tyrant. >> I thought you were dismissing That's what I meant, I go home. >> Yeah, you Yeah, we we'll we'll go ahead and do that, too. Take the rest of the day off. See you later, tyrant. See how [ __ ] arrogant they are? See I mean that's what they do, Bo. >> And that's not the law. >> Huh? >> I don't understand how come he don't know that. >> He He does No, he he don't know that we know. That's the whole thing. He don't know that we know what we talking about. He asked the other officer, "How far you want to push it?" I What do you mean how far? You want to do something illegal? Go on push it. An [ __ ] >> Why does it have to be >> Because he's a damn He's a tyrant. That's what we call a tyrant right there. >> It doesn't make any sense. >> It don't, but that's what they do, Bo. Every freaking county, every state, every >> a badge and it goes to their head. >> Exactly. You know, he knew what was going on. The other one gets out of the car, "How far you want to push it?" Asking for ID. You getting [ __ ] from me. Oh, you going to give me your Yeah. What's your name? My name is just my ass. He just got the BAM, guys. I didn't put it on camera, but he just got the BAM. You know he got the BAM. This This officer right here, the first one to come up, he knows what was going on. This guy right over here, he knew what was going on. Now he's going to go in there and inform them that we're not doing nothing illegal, right? But this damn second one to come out, he's a damn tyrant. >> That second cop right there, he got some unwanted education. >> Oh, I I see he damn sure did. The first one's like he They're not doing nothing illegal. He come out of his damn car all with attitude. I I could see I just looked at him and knew he was going to have a freaking attitude as soon as he got out of his car. You you can just see the look on his face, dude. I can I can spot them in a damn in a split of second as soon as they get out of the car. >> As the tension reached its peak, the situation finally began to calm down. No arrest was made, and the officers started to leave the scene after realizing that the cameraman was still standing in a public area. 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 quietly walks along a sidewalk in Kansas City holding a camera, but not saying a single word. The silent audit begins normally until filming a building suddenly starts drawing from people nearby. >> What's with the pictures? What are you What are you taking pictures of? No? Don't speak. I was just curious why are you were taking pictures. Why pictures? No? Okay. Just curious. Thank you. >> All right, Kansas City. And here we go. And then like they called the cops on me. I'm not going to say nothing. >> It's all right, bro, man. How you doing today? I'm Officer Hoffman, Jefferson City Police Department. Do you know why I'm contacting you? I can play a silent game, man. I'm trying to contact you. You have every right to record me, and once you record me, my camera's recording, too. Uh thing is, man, business called. They say you're taking pictures. They tried coming out here talking to you, just seeing what you were doing. You weren't being really cooperative with them. Uh is there any reason why you'd be taking pictures of the business? At all? Anything? You got a ID on you? I need to see your ID, man. So, I need to see your ID. Do you need a language translator at all? >> After being questioned by people about taking pictures, the cameraman remains silent and continues filming on the sidewalk. But just minutes later, suspicion from the business appears to escalate the situation, and police are quickly called to the scene. >> Are you able to speak English, or do you have to speak a different language? Are you able to speak English? Do you need me to contact a translator for you? Are you Are you able to speak? Do you need a sign interpreter or anything like that. Hey, man. But, the thing is they doesn't want you here. It's okay. You don't have to talk to me. But, this is what you need to do. You sitting here is a bank establishment. You're taking videos and pictures. I'm more than willing to work with you if you talk to me. Um but, as this moment they want you moved on. You understand? You just can't be here right now. What's up, man? How you doing? >> He's not talking. >> Not talking? Okay, man. Hey, they want you moved on, okay? All right. >> Where's the caller at on the inside? >> Yeah, they should be coming. I get frustrated, too. Thank you for what little cooperation you did give me. Uh and you're probably just outside enjoying your day, taking pictures. I get it. But, the thing is it's a bank establishment. Taking pictures of the establishment can be considered free gate to building, which is suspicious activity. Uh and with that being suspicious activity >> While the officer repeatedly tried to start a conversation and understand why the man was filming in front of the bank, all he received in return was silence. But, when the questions began to shift toward identity and requests for ID, the situation seemed to enter a much more sensitive stage. >> Sorry if you don't want to speak to me, but you got a driver's license on you, so I can at least identify you. It says I have to talk to you per my policy. Like a ID, driver's license. Are Are you able to hear? Can Can you hear? Like Are Are you able to hear what I'm saying? Like Even with the groceries, so she She buys most of the grocery and I just cook them. So you can hear what I'm saying? So can you hear me? Can you hear what I'm saying to you? I can't give you my pen, man. I can't I can't do that per my policy. I can't give you my my items and tools I use for work. I can't do that. I can't do that. You'd have to use your phone. I just I can't give you the tools I work with, man. It's not something I'm allowed to do. I apologize. >> When questions about his identity continued to receive no response, the officer began trying different ways to communicate. But in the middle of his efforts to figure out what was going on, an unexpected situation suddenly arose, quickly shifting the officer's attention to something else happening right in front of him. >> So, I can't give you my equipment. I can't Hey. Uh you can't go in there, man. These, you can't go in there. You can go that way or that way, but you can't go in here. Excuse me. Mhm. All right, man. Hey, you're good to stand here, okay? You just don't harass them in there, okay? All right. Okay. I said don't be following them, don't anything weird like that, okay? But you can stand right here. Just don't go in there, okay? Same private property. You can just stand here and record. >> I can't give you my equipment, man. >> I mean, I'm not going to do that, okay? Are you hard of Are you deaf? >> I can't give you my equipment. >> Okay. I wouldn't tell him that. Okay. >> Is he deaf or >> I don't know. >> Are you deaf? Are you hard of hearing? >> I can't give you my equipment. >> I'll try this. Try asking him what he's doing. Try writing down and asking. >> After realizing that the cameraman remained determined to stay silent, the officer began setting clear limits on where he could stand. At this point, the interaction was no longer about conversation, but about where he was allowed to be and what he was not allowed to do. >> videos, like you can't Hey, no pictures or recording the bank. So, that >> You can't do that. That's fine, but you can't be taking pictures. That you can't be doing it to there. The bank doesn't want that. >> You good, brother? Everything good? >> He's fine. He just can't be recording the bank. >> This silent audit ended quietly, but it also left behind a familiar question. Are the rights to film in public truly understood, or will confrontations like this continue to happen in the future? Everyone's freedom should be respected, but exercising that freedom should also come with [music] responsibility and respect for the community. 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]