Unauthorized photography subject to fine and or arrest. >> You're trespassing to the building. Come on. >> Okay. Are you threatening me under a threat of arrest that I that I have to leave? >> You don't have an appointment. You have to leave. >> As you need to understand is that you are violating my rights. You are the security guard inside, all the officers here are violating my rights. I have a right to be in this building. >> When abuse of power [music] meets a citizen who understands the Constitution, every mistake made by the police is instantly exposed and the consequences are no longer simple. >> You're not supposed to be filming or taking pictures in here. >> This is a public lobby. >> No, it's not. >> No, it is not. >> That's the sign outside. Outside is public, not in here. Outside you can, not >> I'm I'm not I'm not going in a restricted area. This is Please get a supervisor. >> What seemed like an ordinary encounter ends up in a courtroom. A cameraman walks into a government building to exercise his right to film in a public area, but just seconds after entering, he is immediately stopped for reasons that are truly shocking. >> There's an unconstitutional sign here. Unauthorized photography subject to fine and or arrest. It's insane. I'm sorry, sir. >> You have to wait outside. >> I'm I'm Who Who are you? >> I'm Mike Palmeter, Teaneck Township Police. You can't just come in here. You have to have an appointment. 15128 >> Yeah, I'm just No, I I did just come in here. >> Okay, you have to wait outside or you have to check in with the ladies up front. You just can't walk in here. >> Why Why is this a public building? >> It's a public appointment only. >> No, I don't need an appointment because I don't need any help with anything. >> I know, you have to go outside. >> Yeah, I don't need any help with anything. >> trespassing. You have to go outside. >> speak to your supervisor? >> Sure. Stand over here. >> Sure, I'll stand over there. >> Come on. >> How you doing? Who are you, sir? >> Who am I? >> Yeah. >> I'm Paul Welder. Who are you? >> My name's Shawn. Can I get your badge number, sir? >> I don't have badge numbers. >> Okay. >> Mike, did you call for a court? I don't think it's a big deal here. Are you law enforcement or security, sir? Security? >> Did you check in at the front door, or did you just walk in? >> Oh, no. Oh, no, I just I didn't know I I didn't know you had to check It's a public building. I thought you could walk in and >> Guys, did you just walk in? >> [music] >> You didn't check in? >> in. Yeah, exactly. It's a public So, we're going to wait for the law enforcement officer to come back. >> She's the boss. >> Hi, sir. >> Hi, ma'am. How are you? >> I know it's a public building. I guess I I figured we're not allowed to have so many people in the building. So, if you don't have an appointment, you need to leave. Are you here for something? >> Are you above that Are you above that limit of the people that you need to have in the building, ma'am? >> What What is your reason for being here? >> Oh, yeah. That That would have been a great question for the officer to ask, too. >> So, what's your reason? >> My My reason Can I get your name first? >> My name's Regina. >> Regina, nice to meet you. My name's Sean. I'm an independent journalist. I'm just taking some pictures and video of the publicly accessible area. >> The tension doesn't let up as both sides keep pushing the situation further. But suddenly, an unexpected turn changes everything. And from that moment on, the story is no longer as simple as it first seemed. >> No, no, no. I I understand. I I see the sign. I I would just say that that sign is unconstitutional. We have a This is a public building, like you said. >> Yeah. Just going to ask you to leave the building. You don't have an appointment, and we're at by appointment >> not breaking any laws. This This officer knows that if you're not breaking any laws and you're in a public building, that I have a right to access the building and I have a right to look at >> You don't have an >> But I'm not making an appointment, [music] ma'am. I don't need help. I just want to take some pictures and videos of this of these signs. Yeah, I'm a journalist working on a story. >> You already did >> I didn't do that yet. He he he confronted me as soon as I walked in. >> I'd be asking you to leave right now. >> Why don't you wait outside and I'll call Troy and them and see what they say. >> I've I've done many stories in Department of Motor Vehicles in in New Jersey and and I don't want to argue with you either, man. Have I been reasonable? >> What I'm saying to >> Hey, sir. Sir. >> Come on. >> Okay. Are you threatening me under a threat of arrest that I that I have to leave? >> You're trespassing cuz you don't have an appointment. You have to leave. >> I will leave. I'm just asking you are you going to leave right now? >> Okay. We'll talk about it outside. >> Sure. Yeah, yeah. We can talk about it outside. Are you a supervisor, sir? >> No. I'm just >> Oh, okay. Got you. You mind if I get your name and badge number? >> Sure. When we go outside, I'll give you everything you want to know. >> Sure. Hey, sir. How are you? You a supervisor? >> Not a supervisor. >> Who's the supervisor? >> He he's not here right now. Let's go talk outside. >> We we definitely need a supervisor here because >> Why is that? >> Because what you guys are doing right now is violating my rights. That's what we're doing. The same the same rights the same rights >> Hey, listen. Calm down. Calm down. Take a breath. Take a breath. >> De-escalation works wonders. Did you not take that training? Come on. It's not that big of a deal. Okay. So, we can talk right here. >> Outside. You can't be in here. Outside. Thank you. >> So, what's what's Way too many people. What's what's the problem with people walking inside of a public building? If you have you have to have an appointment. Okay. You have to have an appointment. Okay. Don't tell me where to put my camera. I I I read I can read. The the Okay. Except for name changes, what Okay. It doesn't It doesn't say you need an appointment in order to be in the building, sir. Do you understand that? Does it say that? Let's see. Does it say that you need an appointment to be in the building? You need an appointment to conduct business. I am conducting a different sort of business. I'm doing an investigative journalism story >> You need an appointment >> the MVA. >> You can't get It's >> Well, where does it say M- the MVC, excuse me. I'm doing an investigative journalism story in this public building. I don't need services. >> The situation seems to be settling down as tensions ease, but just moments later new details emerge that shift everything again. And from this point on, the confrontation goes beyond words, beginning to reveal much bigger issues beneath the surface. >> This is a public building, sir. Where is the supervisor? >> public building. It's actually a government >> Government building government agencies public building, sir. >> need an appointment to gain access. >> No, that's not what it says. You need an appointment to get services. No, no, no, you you don't work for the You don't work for the You don't work for the MVA, sir. You don't work for the MVA, neither do you. >> same lady you just talked to. She said you can't be in here without an appointment. >> You have no authority to trespass me from a public building when I'm not breaking any laws. I'm not disrupting business. I'm not doing anything. >> I'm not getting services here. I'm I'm working on a story. >> You can't be in without >> Sir, can I please speak Can you call a supervisor, please? I'm asking you to I I'm talking about law enforcement. You are threatening me with arrest to leave the building. >> said you're under arrest. >> You threatened to arrest me You said or you'll be trespassing, which is a crime, correct? >> said you are trespassing. >> It's the same thing. You're saying that I'm trespassing. >> going to arrest you. I said >> Oh, come on. Listen. That's ridiculous. I want to speak to a supervisor because what you're doing here is you need to understand is that you are violating my rights. >> The security guard inside, all the officers here are violating my rights. I have a right to be in this building. >> You don't have the right to be here or >> Yes, I do. I have >> is violating his rights. >> Yeah. >> How did I violate your rights? >> Huh? >> How did I violate your rights? >> You're You're a participant in all this, right? Are you not? >> I identified myself. That's about it. >> Okay. >> it out. >> Yeah. There you go. You just violated my rights. >> What are you talking about at the door for? You want to You want to You want to be part of it, didn't you, buddy? Right? And I'm holding the door. And I'm holding You You're making yourself [clears throat] famous. You're making yourself famous. I don't need to make you famous. >> The office manager asked you to leave. That's all. That's all I told you. >> need to I don't need to make you famous. You're making You You all are writing the story for yourself. I'm being I'm trying to de- I'm trying to be I'm trying to de-escalate situation. Okay, and you're writing it. >> You shouldn't have violated your rights. That is >> What are you trying to get out of this? >> I have I'm trying to exercise Please be quiet. I'm trying to exercise [music] my rights that I have in this country peacefully. >> Just when it seems like everything is coming to an end as both sides begin to calm down, a new development suddenly emerges, pushing the tension even further. And from that moment on, what happens next will leave viewers questioning the entire situation. >> You're talking and they can't hear the people. Yes, it is. >> No, it's not against the law. You're wrong. You're wrong. You're wrong. >> this more difficult than it has >> I'm I'm not breaking any laws, sir. You're law enforcement. I'm not breaking any laws. I'm holding Yeah, somebody exercising their rights is is a [ __ ] show, right? Come on, this is ridiculous. I want to take some pictures and videos inside of a public building. There's something wrong with that. >> But But I explained it to you. This isn't a public building for anybody to walk into. It's a government agency conducting government business. Yes, it is. >> I'm not I'm arguing with it's a government agency or not. Government Government agencies owned by who? The people, public. It's Okay. Who funds it? Who funds the building? >> Because you are disrupting business for >> No, I'm not. You are. You are. I wasn't disrupting business till you came up to me. There was nobody being disrupted in business. There was nothing. I'm taking pictures and video, working on my story as is afforded to me under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution, sir. >> Correct. If you would have made an appointment >> I don't need to make an appointment, sir. This is a public building. I don't need an I don't need appointment to get in. I need an appointment for services. You don't even need an appointment for services. You can make You can change your name. You can change your gender, apparently. You can um probation licenses. >> But you're not doing any of that stuff. >> But how would you know? How would you know if I'm doing any of that? >> what you were doing in the building. >> It It exactly. I'm not doing any of those, and I'm not doing anything else that I would require an appointment. I'm taking pictures and video in a public space, which is a constitutionally protected activity, sir. It's a constitutionally protected activity. >> allowed to be in the building. >> It's a constitutionally protected activity, sir. And as a law enforcement officer, instead of trying to violate my rights and push back on my rights, you should be allowing me to do this because that's the oath that you took. >> Did you call for a supervisor? >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. Well, listen. You You wanted a supervisor? He's on his way. >> Yeah. I I hope he can explain everything to you guys cuz all you're doing, you're writing the story in the wrong way. You're writing the story You guys write the story here. You're writing the story in the wrong way, and you're making your police department Your police department is >> Egg Harbor Township. >> Egg Harbor Township. You're just ca- casting a shadow on your police department. >> You just can't record in there. That's it. >> I don't know. He's not doing services. That's what he wants to do. That's what he's doing in the building. That's the only reason why he's >> So, you you can be in there. >> You just can't record in there. It's private. That's all. >> What do you But that's not a law, sir. That's not a law. The It's It's a First of all, it's a policy that says you can't record in there. You're not policy enforcement, respectfully, sir. I'm not trying to escalate situation. >> After everything that just happened, >> [music] >> it seems like things have finally been clarified. But then another unexpected development shifts the story in a new direction. And from that point on, what unfolds will make viewers see the entire situation in a completely different light. >> Good seeing you, Tim. Bye-bye. >> Have a good day. >> You too. >> No reason for any of this. I could have got my pictures and video, and I would have been on my way. Wasn't bothering anyone. >> You did get your pictures and video. >> I didn't. As soon as I walked in, you Sir, what are you doing? Like Like I'm some type of terrorist or something. Like calm down. There's no reason for that. >> Okay. >> You ran up on me. You need to leave. You're trespassing. >> Trespassing is a crime. When it comes from a law enforcement officer telling me I'm trespassing, you're threatening me with arrest. That's what you're doing. >> threatened you with arrest. >> Okay. When a law enforcement officer tells me that I'm trespassing, which is a crime, that's threatening me with arrest. You said the MVAs or MVC, excuse me, is some type of dangerous place where they need a law enforcement officer stationed at all times and a security guard. Seems like overkill to me. >> What is it you want, sir? You cannot video any transactions that are going on. >> Ma'am, I have I have I have I'm not I'm not videoing any transactions. I agree with you. Okay, great. No problem. I'm not going to I'm not going to video any transactions. Thank you. I appreciate that. >> Have a good day. >> You too, ma'am. Thank you. I'm glad that you checked. I can record. It's my right. Hey sir, did you Did you get educated today? >> Have a good day. >> You too, sir. Have a good one. >> The story concludes with an ending that leaves many people reflecting as what just happened is not merely an isolated incident, but raises serious questions about authority, law enforcement practices, and the line between internal policies and citizens' rights. Up next, just seconds after she starts recording, the woman is immediately told to stop, but the reason behind it is far more controversial than you might think. >> Sir. No pizza, chocolate. >> The tension begins to rise as both sides argue over the right to film in this area. Just when it seems like things have reached their limit, an unexpected turn pushes the situation into a new phase, and from that point on, the confrontation goes beyond words, revealing deeper conflicts beneath the surface. >> Did that really just happen? Excuse me. >> Can you put your camera down? >> You're not supposed to be filming or taking pictures in here. >> This is a public lobby. >> No, it's not. >> No, it does not. >> There's a sign on the door. >> Outside is public, not in here. >> Who Who comes in here for business? I'm confused. I mean, there's the restricted point. >> I'm not arguing about this. There are signs outside that says there's no photography here. >> This is a public lobby. >> Outside is public. >> I'm not I'm not going in a restricted area. >> Not inside this area. I'm telling you. >> This is a public lobby. >> No, ma'am. >> No, it's not. >> This is a public lobby. >> No, it is not. >> Yes, it is. >> We keep telling you the same thing. No, it is not. You can go outside and take pictures, not inside this area. >> Take pictures you want outside. Inside the lobby, there's What's that desk for? What's that desk for? Who's supposed to go that desk right there? Is it for you? >> Is somebody sitting in the desk? >> What is that desk for? What What do people go go to that desk for? This is a public lobby. >> No, it is not. >> No, it is not. >> You need to call a supervisor or something cuz this is a public lobby. >> you got that thing turned off. >> This is a public lobby. Please get your supervisor. >> Go stand outside the door. >> Please get your supervisor. >> Stand outside the door. We'll get a supervisor. >> Please get a super I don't know. I don't trust you. So, please get a supervisor. >> It is posted outside. You cannot take pictures inside. >> Please Please get a supervisor. Please get a supervisor. Yeah, I'm one of those. Yeah, get someone. >> In the meanwhile, wait outside the door. >> What's y'all's names and badge numbers? >> Right there. You can read. >> I cannot read that far. >> That's your problem. >> I can't read that far. >> hiding it. It's right in front of you. >> Why won't you simply tell me what your name and badge number are? I am the public. >> And so am I. >> You are a public servant. This is a public lobby. I just asked you what your name is. >> You can read. You speak English? >> The situation seems to come under control as both sides begin communicating more clearly, but new details quickly emerge that keep the tension alive and from that point on, the argument shifts beyond right or wrong into a clash over authority and the interpretation of the law. >> That's for >> Pick up that that phone and tell us what they're here. That's what they do. >> So, the public The public comes in here and uses that phone, right? >> pick up that phone to talk to us. >> I'm talking to you now. >> They say >> Right. Because that's for the public. >> He called you on the phone. You ignored it. >> Someone called me? >> Said, "Ma'am, stop filming." Why you think we out here talking to you now? >> I >> He is calling you on that phone. >> Stupidity, maybe? Because this is a public lobby. >> You don't know, ma'am, standing in here. There's no other ma'am in here. >> a public lobby. >> is not This is a police station. >> Well, I know it's a police station with this It is a public lobby and this is city property. It's not private. This is not private property. >> I don't know who you got your information from. >> This is a public lobby. I know what it is. It's a police station, right? It's public property. This is a public lobby. Okay. Let's do that. >> Maybe you'll believe him. >> Okay. >> Cuz we obviously don't know what we're doing. We only work here day of the year. >> It's a public lobby. It's a public lobby. You don't know if I've been here before or not. >> This is for official business only. >> It's a public lobby. >> not on official business. >> This is official. This is I'm exercising my First Amendment right >> [music] >> to record video, take pictures of public property in a public lobby. >> You don't know what your problem is. >> This is a public lobby. I don't have a problem. You have a problem. I didn't say that. I said you don't know if I can. >> You said you can't read. You told me you couldn't read. >> I said you don't know if I can read or not. >> sign clearly posted right there with that big red stop sign on it. >> The glare is on the sign. You can't see it. I'm talking about that >> Well, go to the other side right there that you just violated. >> I violated something. >> Yes, ma'am. It's right there in front of you. Big red. Bigger than this sign. >> I could read baits, yeah. I'll pull that off. >> [cough and clears throat] >> I knew you could read. Just like you read that sign above right there. Yeah, it's right there. Big sign. Big red stop sign. See the >> Doesn't say police department somewhere? So, this is a public lobby. >> So, you read a sign that says police department. >> Public lobby. You don't think it's a police headquarters? Use the polarizer. >> Everything seems to be cooling down as the exchange becomes calmer, but then a new development suddenly shifts the situation again. And from that point on, what follows not only clarifies the issue, but also raises deeper questions about how law enforcement handled the entire situation. >> It's a public lobby. It's a public lobby, right? I can walk up to that desk, right? >> Yes, ma'am. [clears throat and snorts] What's your name? >> I prefer not give that information. >> Okay, you asked me for mine. >> Right, cuz you're a public servant. >> Okay. Okay. What is it that we can do for you? >> This is what I was doing. I'm a journalist getting content for a story. And my main goal is to see if you know what the First Amendment covers. To see if you know that this is a public lobby and that I have a right to take pictures and video in a public lobby on public property. This is city [music] property right here. I also want to know if you're courteous to the public or not. >> I try to >> Or if you're rude, or if you didn't try to infringe on my right. Yeah. >> Well, you are a journalist? >> Yeah. >> Can I see your guide date for journalists? >> No, I I don't have credentials. I don't need to have credentials. But I mean, I could just print one out and put plastic on it, but I don't. >> Okay, so what is it >> This is all I wanted to do. I would have been gone had you left me alone. >> Okay, ma'am, what is it what is what? What would you like to do? >> I was just taking pictures of the lobby, then leaving. >> Okay. >> That's all. >> Okay. >> What are you shaking your head no for? Was I not taking pictures of the lobby? You're shaking your head as for him or me, one. >> Ma'am, listen to me. Ma'am, focus here, right here. >> Oh, come on. You're talking to me like a child. >> No, I'm not to I'm >> It felt like it. >> Okay, you asked for a supervisor. >> Right. >> Right? I'm here. So, I'm trying to help you. >> To let that man know this is public property. It's a public lobby. >> Okay. You wanted to speak to a supervisor, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. I am here. What can I help you with? >> I just told you many times in different [clears throat] ways. >> Come again. >> I'm taking video and pictures of a public lobby >> Mhm. >> at police headquarters. >> Mhm. >> He was tr- Both of them were trying to prevent me from doing that. >> Signs don't mean anything. It's the Constitution. If you're going to show me a sign that says not to >> Can you Can you walk with me here? Let me show you something. Can you walk with me? You asked for a supervisor, right? >> Yeah. >> I gave you my name, right? >> Right. >> I asked you for your name, right? >> Right. >> That's just common courtesy. We having a dialogue. >> Yeah, that is >> Just when it seems the arguments have been fully laid out and both sides have reached their limits, a new development suddenly emerges, prolonging the situation. And from that point on, what happens next becomes the key moment that determines the entire outcome. >> Actually >> I don't >> a problem with you walking right here. I don't have a problem with that. >> Then he does. >> Focus on me, Sergeant [ __ ] >> I'm focusing on you. >> Okay, because you asked for it. >> see me looking at you? >> Yeah, and I'm talking to you. >> [clears throat] >> What I want to show you See that here? >> Yeah. >> Okay. This is Miami-Dade. Absolutely no photography, audio, video within this building without the proper consent. >> That's unlawful. >> Okay. >> As long as it's a public lobby, I can take video and pictures of it. If you have a restricted area >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> then I can't go past it if you ask me not to. >> you find that out? >> The Constitution. >> Okay. >> It's a First Amendment right. It's not a secret. >> It's also a right of the Miami-Dade Police Department. >> You don't have rights. >> You want to let me finish or you want to >> Okay, go ahead. >> You know what? This is an exchange of dialogue. >> Quit patronizing me. >> I apologize for interrupting you. >> I'm not patronizing you. I'm trying to have a conversation, but you can't say everything and not have me respond to you. >> You're correct. You're correct. >> I mean, it's just >> My adrenaline is up because of those two men. So, I'm trying to contain it. >> Relax a little bit. We're just having a conversation. Relax. Okay? That's our policy. >> Mhm. >> Okay? You seem like a person that respects rules and regulations. Right? >> I obey the Constitution. >> It's a form of respecting the Constitution, right? >> No. It's not. I mean, the Constitution is here to protect the citizens, and you swore an oath to the Constitution, right? >> The Okay. For example, if you have someone pulled over, I can stand there and video you on public property whether you want me to or not. This is public property. >> you can >> Right. >> Let's Let's stay on that. If we have somebody pulled over, and you can stop as long as you do not interfere with that officer doing his duty. >> Right, if I don't commit a crime. That's a crime. >> Well, >> Interfering, right? >> Interfering, right. You know. >> That's a crime. >> Okay. So, we clear on that. Since you brought that up. >> Yeah, I'm clear I can't commit a crime while videoing you. Yeah. >> After all the arguments and confrontation, the story concludes with an ending that leaves many reflecting as what just unfolded is not just an isolated incident, but clearly reveals how the law is understood, how power is exercised, and the fragile line between internal policies and citizens' constitutional rights. 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. A good society is not one without conflict, but one where every conflict is resolved through understanding, dialogue, and mutual respect. 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]