Cops, Cameras & Accountability in Arlington, VA

[wickeddriller2000]

all cops are corrupt and none can be trusted.

[Paintbl99]

I can't believe he followed you LOL. That's pretty unprofessional.

[StarRick108]

lol this camera guy is a gonner

[sbuffer0311]

Bravo. I have many friends with police badges, in Arlington, Ffx County, VA State police, and they would agree with you.

[MorteWulfe]

If you were staking out where he lived, why were you so worried about him knowing where you live? If you are going to cast the first stone, you shouldn't worry about your glass wall.

[richarcm]

Tyranny is when the government can do things that the people are not allowed to do. Good job fighting it. The easiest way to fight it is to fight it when it is small rather than wait until it grows and becomes large and too powerful.

[RonnieDobbz1978]

seriously!?!

its an emergency vehicle it can park anywhere.

[Vanyel04103]

If your goal is to punish however then I suggest you go to the police academy, or law school and then become a police officer or prosecuting attorney and help yourself to the punishment aspect of things. And remember, opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, and they all stink (mine included)

[Vanyel04103]

I'm assuming of course that your goal here was to get that officer to think about what he was doing and the example he was setting rather than just pointing a camera and going "Ahhhh Haaa!!!! See what assholes they are?

[Vanyel04103]

Now before shoot me down in flames let me reiterate that I am all for exercising your rights, but your rights stop at the point where they begin to trample mine.

As for ticketing the vehicle. Yes, I agree with you about the example it sets, and that the motor officer probably should have given a parking ticket to the marked unit. However again it's within his discretion to give someone a break or not. Even if he says as he did "Yes I probably would" it's still his discretion.

[Vanyel04103]

As to him following you, creepy yes, but is it any more creepy or intimidating than having someone videotaping while open carrying a weapon, and attempting to influence or escalate an event that was for the most part of his own making?

I'm not saying that you shouldn't exercise your rights within your rights, but his rights are just as important.

If the camera were in the off duty officers hands instead and he was following you around you'd be screaming just as loudly as they sometimes do.

[Vanyel04103]

@buxombabyNJ I have to agree. If that were a civilian vehicle not only would the PD not have been called but if one had happened by and ticketed it the ticket would most likely have been called an Illegal, or unfair tax" on the civilian. The officer has every single one of the rights that we argue that we have.

Without asking we don't know if that individual even though he works for the PD was making his own statement. (See next post)

[1GodOnlyOne]

Wow. That cop is a creepy, criminal stalker. You're lucky that he didn't murder you -- no joke.

There's something about his eyes and his facial expression.... he looks like a child molester, a cannibal, or some kind of deeply warped serial killer.

It's truly frightening that individuals like this one are carrying loaded weapons around on our streets.

I'm sorry that this awful incident happened to you -- you should have called the police again when you noticed that he was stalking you.

[KYKIN44]

The police is the US biggest crime organization they now control most of the drug dealerships my step granddaughter is a drug user she sells drugs to support her habit I asked her where did she get her drugs to sale she did not tell me who but she said she bought them from a local city policeman he is the distributor the police puts other drug distributors in jail all only if they are the competition police now controls most prostitution drug dealerships and gun transfers in America police

[PaulinaPaulino]

I think I might have called the police and reported I was being followed!

[kawola17]

I don't get it. Aren't law enforcement vehicles allowed to park in no park zones?

[1GodOnlyOne]

@kawola17 Only during emergency situations, and I think, in most states, that they need to have their red and blue lights on the whole time. This guy was just parking it overnight on an illegal spot outside his house.

He should be imprisoned for stalking that innocent citizen.

[buxombabyNJ]

while i appreciate most forms of police watchdogging, the filmmaker appears to be baiting confrontation, which may have its place. is this the forum to do this? the filmmaker calls the police to the scene. but then asks if the officer would've ticketed a civilian vehicle. i have to ask, would he have called the police on a civilian vehicle? calling the police to the scene, making confrontational suggestions, open carrying....all seem to be provoking. i'm not happy with how this was made.

[danceswithdingos]

@buxombabyNJ You and the police seem to be unhappy with upholding the rights of civilians. If the police did not attend to book the vehicle, then why were they dispatched? Was it to harrass the one making the complaint? Citizens that open carry also have the right to call police. The only issue here is accountability. Some see citizens who protect their rights and expect police to be accountable to be provocational. I disagree. It is what demacracy is all about.

[1GodOnlyOne]

@buxombabyNJ No, he wouldn't have called the police on a civilian vehicle, because all the civilian vehicles were PARKED LEGALLY.

[puplover62]

Good for you! I applaud your standing up for all our rights. That stinking swine had some nerve following you. He knew he was dead wrong for parking there. I can't believe how they take care of each other, covering up and lying their asses off. I had my one bad encounter w/these Nazis a few mos ago & almost got arrested for making a complaint. at a pizza shop. Mgr called cops on me, & I was bullied & threatened & unlawfully detained (as was my DL) . I can't stand their asses now.I

[rollinstoned0]

GREAT VIDEO! 

[SporkFire]

That cop is a creep.

[goaa20]

As an Officer I say, That Police should follow every law everyone else has to follow, Except in an extreme emergency situation. Obviously there was no emergency situation and this officer should have received a citation or at least a serious verbal warning. I have learned in the short time i have been in Law Enforcement that a badge means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING without a good man / woman behind it.

[nomorepolicestate]

@goaa20 Absolutely!

[Tadow001]

The Motorcycle Cop was cool. This guy wanted to see where you live so he could F u -up..

[musiclvr1able]

that's freakin scary; it's like havin to watch ur back cuz mobsters may hav put a hit out on u; that cop was followin u prob cuz he wanted to either intimidate u or catch u committin some misdomnr; he was jus mad cuz u had a really valid point for what u were doin; wish cops would stop being so arrogant and obey the laws that they enforce;then we wouldnt hav a prob with them

[urajokeass]

My new Hero.Your fuckin' Lee Marvin.

[daddyg321]

I'd call the police again about someone following me. He won't get arrested but even his boss hate dealing with the headache, I've had to do it once.

[advizor1]

Keep up the good work!!! You have my respect!!!

[SerinaJK]

wow! cops usually don't give away their badge number or allow you to film even though those two things are our rights. That other guy was tailing you hard core though. That guy was following you.

[Wilson8Wes]

I'm fulling pro-police, pro-law enforcement, pro-Arlington County Police Department. I am also in favor of reporting those officers who give the department a bad rap. Shame on them. But a few bad, arrogant eggs does not reflect generally on those who work in the field generally or in the Arlington PD. I cannot hear the LT's explanation for why he did not give the guy a ticket, so I am refraining from judgment here.

[bobbytiger]

@Wilson8Wes

As a life long resident of Arlington County, (spanning several decades), I can honestly say that I have had zero problems with our officers. They are an efficient and courteous lot, (as evidenced by the motorcycle policeman).

As far as parking in a "no parking" zone, knock yourselves out.

Hell, after putting up with what you guys put up with day after day, you can even have my parking place in front of my house. You have earned it.

[sturner443]

I love the fact that everyone complains and hates the cops till they need one....Get a life man or next time you need a cop just call a crackhead or something

[charlitunaman2002]

ALWAYS carry a pocket recorder. If it wasn't recorded, it wasnt said. I remember the cop who told me he KNEW I was speeding by the aggressiveness of my tread! I was going to ask him in court if he had that "sense" calibrated that day. The pussy never showed up for court!

[coreyalan23]

cops have no respect for society whatsoever. file complaints, and take everything to a grand jury.

[jshjbllr24]

Man its a good thing that your doing this because as a person that lives in arlington i see the same kind of things all the time. and its worse in south arlington...park where ever they want, and do what ever they want....wuts the deal with them turning on the lights jus to go through a red light...thats not right, Im glad i saw this because for a while now i thought my friends an i were the only ones who thought this way...

[cjg20009]

It would help if you learned the law. In most jurisdictions, no parking signs do not apply to emergency vehicles, by definition, so no ticket is warranted. I guess taking the time to educate yourself is too much of a bother.

[angusfreak15]

that could be the case but the laws could be different since that was an off duty officer with a patrol car not in an emergency

[charlitunaman2002]

@cjg

Checked MOST jurisdictions in my area. Turns out, an emergency vehicle may only park in a no parking zone in an emergency. Emergency vehicles driven by city employees on personal time may never park in red or no parking zones. It would help if you learned the law and yes, a ticket is warranted. Thank you very much. I guess educating YOURSELF is too much of a bother. Asshole

[Rayven10]

The only time an emergency vehicle can violate any laws is when there is an actual emergency. Just because it's a cop car doesn't mean they can violate the laws at any time.

[puplover62]

@cjg20009 Does not apply to "emergency vehicles"?Or to an emergency vehicle IN an emergency? If he's eating lunch, it's okay? Get it right. Cops using choice parking for convenience is not considered "an emergency". You should check your laws. He deserved a nice, fat ticket and reprimand. They are here to set an example. Sick of seeing cops on cell phones, smoking, speeding & running red lights for non-emergencies. Yes, they do it plenty. They should pay like the rest of us. No sympathy here.

[potsmoker5000]

That is fucking creppy.

[Navvet82]

Would someone like to explain to NOVAPJ that you cannot just "draw down" on someone just because you THINK he is following you. That would be brandishing a firearm. Have fun in court with that one. Especially Arlington, where articulating feeling in danger because someone is walking behind you for justification of pulling a pistol is not that easy.

[Navvet82]

I see what you are saying Kenny, but most people open carry just to feel more powerful. If you want to carry, then carry. Do you have to display it to feel like a man, and make others uncomfortable? Because no matter how many people carry, nerds will get nervous and call the cops. By the way, I carry daily, so don't call me some fuzzy liberal. I just think open carrying is a great way to start problems.

[kennyfreakinrocks]

The point of open carry as opposed to concealed carry is SPECIFICALLY to demonstrate to the public that people with guns are not to be feared and can be trusted to keep you safe. The whole reason people are so dogmatic towards firearms in the first place is because nobody exercises this right and so when people do see somebody open carrying they freak out. If more people did it then it wouldn't be so alarming and THAT'S THE POINT!

You also have to beg for a permit to conceal, for some reason.

[Navvet82]

Well said, McTravel. NOVAPJ stated on his profile he wants to be in law enforcement. Yeah, NOVAPJ....turn off the tv and learn about life before you confront others like this, and remember...some are meant to call the cops, and some are meant to BE the cops.

[Navvet82]

novapj, you have nothing better to do with your time? get a job.

[novapj]

novapj!!!

[cptmx]

he looks like john malkovich

[novapj]

i'll tell you what and this might sound crazy to some but regardless if you think someone is a cop, but being outside of a uniform this guy is some joe on the street following you, i might draw down on him if i'm armed(open carry legal in VA for you outsiders) and hold him there while i call 911 reporting a citizen arrest at gunpoint of a possible "robbery suspect" if he goes for a weapon let the county explain to his family why he was killed(not doing his job)

[novapj]

...if he complies to your citizen arrest when a radio car arrives let them book him on stalking with the suspicion to commit robbery. for all anyone knows, he's a robber that has singled you out, following you till he can come up and rob you..normal people just dont follow people, well without a valid reason...and if an off duty officer does stuff like that, he should have to go through mental screening again and see if he's fit to be a police officer anymore..

[McTravelDad]

"Stalking with the suspicions to commit robbery"? "Draw down" on someone who is following you? These sort of idiotic remarks are the reason that some of you open carry folks worry the rest of us.

[charlitunaman2002]

@ McT Go get a happy meal

[novapj]

of course this is just 2 blocks from me..i apologize for not keeping in contact with bureaucrash..this year has not been a great one for me,extremely crazy..this LT is the LTin my video up at california tortilla with the subject in custody, he walks by me and purposely flashed his flashlight at me, real jerk like, then he tries talking to me when i start filming him specifically..that cop on cleveland lives there and is always parking somewhere right along there as you more than likely know!!

[blazedlazee]

VA OPEN CARRY LAWS FTW!

[phillycopwatch09]

good job

[ChaosReigns2009]

What is this guys badge number?

Seriously...I would like to have it.

[gundamgoldrake]

I think this was just stupid, and people like you should just stop acting like a little kid. If I was the police officer I would make your life like hell.

[EFC100t]

good video, keep up the good work, it's punks like gundamgoldrake below that let cops think they are above the law.

[iateurwifewfavabeans]

lol u guys were standing right outside my apt. window....and that cop does park his car around there and guess what...parking's real tight....so ur a huge dick and i wish the cop had beat u up.

[limitedgovt999]

Awesome!  I think the open carry probably prevented some of your rights from being trampled on.

[semiLivedj]

when pulled over by police,just crack your window to hand your papers,dont anwser any questions,everything they need is on your papers,they will lie to you to get you to talk,dont ever get out of your car UNLESS your under arrest and then lock your car afterwards.And always carry a video camera always.its your only protection they will break the law guaranteed,they been doing it for so long they dont know how to act.cops use video but they edit theirs,i have seen it done.

[semiLivedj]

cops are the new terrorist,they are the most unamerican people here,anyone who upholds and enforces the new laws,improper search seizures without cause,freedom of speech,wire tapping phones,email,ect.just to name a few,are terrorist,they are scarier than some one that lives over seas,If you sacrifice liberty for security you loose both.start a cop watch in your area,video record them in public,its legal

[Jake4Freedom]

That cop who followed you looks like a reptile, and acts like one too.

"Now we're talking about you carrying a gun." --Fuck. You should have pistol-whipped him for saying that. ...Preemptive elimination of a thug. I guess you hold yourself to a higher standard than the whitehouse...

[Jake4Freedom]

But you're not going to ticket him because "...he's above the law" ...I didn't quite hear that.

[Jake4Freedom]

Nice!!!! Way to show some stones, Pete. I've long said we should go on the offensive with these pricks. No such thing as a cop that honors his meaningless "oath" to uphold the Constitution. If they were going to do that, they couldn't enforce mandatory seatbelt laws, driver's license requirements, or drug laws. It's all BULLSHIT. People who like this post should check out marcstevens(dot)net and kopbusters(dot)net

[hardcorenappin]

what happened? did you file a report?

[worldsailor128]

Excellent work and great that you can open carry and exersize your right!

Keep it up!

[WickedChess]

Dude ur gonna get fucking knocked in the head with a night stick u keep up, i mean if u see a cop beating an old woman yah call 911 and video tape but this is just bullshit.

[kmikesell]

What gall! keep up the good work.....Except next time don't give them your name.

[jaysunzz]

Google thinkfreedot ca and you will know why cops are power made and why the have the right to kill

[buttermybiscuit]

Keep up the great work, Pete.

The Fairfax County board of supervisors needs to see this video.

[CreepingDeath0203]

why dont u follow somebody important around if u got the balls

[Josiah531]

Excellent Video. Do you get the offending officer's badge number? Might want to look at stalking or harassment charges.

[USGiorgi]

omfg. Dude Id be so pissed. Did you file a complaint or something? that is dangerous because you never know when he is following you.

[jkturner2]

Unlike this guy I would like to have a Police Vehicle parked in front my place. Thats just a little more security and protection, I wouldn't care if its parked legally or not. I wonder if any of the neighbors had something stolen since then, if so it might have been prevented if this guy hadn't complained. And why piss of someone that can wright you tickets.

[coolgamer1677]

No parking zones are generally created for valid reasons.

[amaduli]

Apparently it IS a significant issue since you are putting so much energy to pissing and moaning here.

[j17perro]

Pete - I am also fascinated. As a matter of fact, I'm curious how you spent the rest of your day... Was a beach towel involved?

[TEBON]

this was fascinating Pete. . . thanks for doing what you do

[TEBON]

the LAW is the LAW remember LAW and ORDER citizen? lol

[TinCupTim]

So remember that the next time you get pulled over and the cop chooses to right you a warning... Say NO NO!!!!! we will have none of that. You Give me a Ticket right now.. .LAW IS THE LAW.

[PotheadPundit]

the cop chooses to lie and its obvious. he keeps saying "it's a beautiful day" but then sidelines and basically admits to following him. This video just shows how police continuously lie

[spc1029]

I have always thought that when our society crumbles it will be at the hand of mindless police officers. A police officer has never helped me with anything in my whole life. In fact I once had my car stolen and the only thing he asked me on the police report was what color my car was. They don't care if you get your car stolen but they do care if your not wearing your seatbelt.

[joshd321]

Do you think he was trying to find out where you live? That's very creepy if true. I think you could have let him keep following you and keep digging a deeper hole for himself while you document the whole thing. That would really expose him for the bastard he is, and you could try to get a restraining order. Your thoughts? (And I'm completely aware you could be setting yourself up for crimes committed against you by him & his gang & you'd have no recourse to defense).

[bureaucrash]

Thanks for the question. I had no doubt the officer was trying to determine where I lived. And the fact that he first followed me north (into the apt complex), then south (back to where he car had been parked), then east (past the 711) was proof enough for me.

[mackler]

awesome!!

[kdaleboley]

good for you Pete. Stay vigilant.

[mport1]

Great job Pete!

[TinCupTim]

HEY DUMB ASS!!!!!!!!!! How many REAL fucking crimes do you think took place while you tied up that officer for a piece of shit complaint from a whiney liberal piece of shit moron. You honestly should have been ticket for being a lil' bitch. I would love to meet you in person and shit on your porch... GET A JOB LOSER.

[signwearer]

What a lovely human being you must be.

[TinCupTim]

yep... family member to a police officer.

[bureaucrash]

Thanks for the love TinCup. I don't understand why you have a problem with a citizen expecting those enforcing the law to abide by that same law. Or why you'd like to grant cops the authority to ticket people for being "a lil' bitch." Who then would decide who fits that metric? Law is supposed to be objective, and applicable to all.

And if you're fine allowing cops to break this law, at what point do you believe they should start abiding by the law?

[bulaionionion]

strictly by the law, you are right. but maybe as a person you are not, because maybe the guy that parked there was in a hurry or something like that. anyway, i support your decision to report this

[amaduli]

I know I wouldn't try shitting on his porch. I think you would understand if you met him. It would not come to a pleasant resolution.

[gubment0cheese]

Put the finish on this video, and post this piece of shits address. Then he should be getting phone calls and visits in no time.

[BillyClubCondor]

Excellent video.

Can you open-carry in Virginia? I was not aware of that.

[syadasti]

Fantastic video, Pete. Very nicely done!

[jrballe]

Thugs!

[slimat420]

The enforcers aka police should be held to the same if not a higher standard then normal people. This is just a example that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely

[flippinrawks]

work it bro!

[militarysims]

Ten dollars says the cops has his gun as well. That's Bullshit. I would have walked right next to the cop. Seeing as how he is following me. Yet another case of a Cop acting like a little kid. He is acting out because he was doing something wrong. Then was told what he was doing was wrong.

[lambedan]

Is there any laws against this kind of intimidation in Arlington?

Not that they would necessarily enforce it. Just curious.

[CORNandCATTLE]

right on pete, keep up the good fight my man!

[asands]

What a dick. This is why i do not like police officers. They abuse their power and try to intimidate civilians. Good job standing up to this asshole.

[tvsam]

Balls of steel. Thanks for standing up for us. These people take liberties in more ways than one: they take liberties with the rules and they take our liberties away.

[qxdc]

Good job.

[goten1201]

lol Pete, when he was following you and walking you should have said, would you like to hold hands together and skip together?

[CognitiveDisonance]

Brave. Thanks for standing up. Watch out for repercussions.