LAPD Threatens Me With Arrest For Photographing Crime Scene

[USSpecOps93]

You can't observe once the officer advises you it's a crime scene

At that point you are interfering and are subject to arrest

And why do you go around looking for problems and trying to start fights with Officers attempting to their job

[AbawiTariq]

your a dick ? what would u wanna video/pictures? a dead guy.. what the fuck are you gona do with the video of a dead guy.. get a life you fuking cunt,

[discarted]

@AbawiTariq

It really doesn't matter, nor is it up to you or your fellow LAPD buddies to decide what people can and can not photograph when in public. That's not how the actual law works.

And when you finally return from Iraq and rejoin LAPD, please remember that you were supposedly fighting a war in order to protect our freedoms, i.e, the First Amendment. And don't forget #4 too.

I love the fact that this comment is from an alleged Sergeant within the LAPD. This is great.

LAPD's finest.

[rukahk981]

Why do you waste so much time harassing the police? Your provoking them, my friend.

[x00czar00x]

I hate cops! lol! go guy!!!

[dp535i]

no respect man... no respect...

[JustMediocreJack]

All you are doing is provoking police officers who are trying to do their difficult jobs.

Although it seems that you did not break any laws by being close to a crime scene not only are you showing no respect but could possibly be contaminating the crime scene.

I know that photographers and police seem to have a hatred for each other, and I have felt this too, and people like you who provoke the police (shown in all your videos) doesn't help the situation.

[Shortyjr02]

You make me sick. You spend your free time harassing the only people that risk their lives everyday just so you can live yours. You think it's cool to talk back to the police? They asked you respectfully to leave them alone so they can do their job. Who the hell do you think you are? Find something productive to do with your meaningless life.

[eLLriDe420]

@Shortyjr02 photography is productive. you dont understand, its art.

[Shortyjr02]

@eLLriDe420

Clearly by your stated name, your view on the world is distorted therefore your statement is null and void. I'm fully well aware of what art is. I'm also aware of what interfering with a police investigation is. He is not breaking any law by taking their photograph, but he is infringing on personal space. Irregardless of what he does with it, if he cared about society as an "artist" would, he would actually try to be a contributing member of society instead of a nuisance.

[eLLriDe420]

@Shortyjr02 use words people acually understand.

[Shortyjr02]

@eLLriDe420 Thank you for proving my point...

[Hulkamania246]

why do u always have to be a dick?

[hardcider09]

I totally support discarted. Keep on doing your thing, man. It's only because of heroes like you that rights remain protected.

[dp535i]

@hardcider09 -

actually, this type of activity can lead to new laws being passed against certain types of photography.

if you really know the law, you must also know that laws can change, and they do...

to catch a cop doing something illegal on video is one thing, but to approach them and buzz around is not right and if people continue this, we can lose more rights.

this is NOT really a FREE country... but it plays one on TV. :)~

[hardcider09]

@dp535i If the right to photograph someone was not guaranteed by the Constitution, I'd agree. But a law that prohibits photographing someone, including the police, when they have no reasonable expectation of privacy will be struck down as violating the First Amendment. Seeing as the likelihood of the First Amendment being changed is nil, the right way to protect that right is to USE it to its fullest extent.

[Crabtakular]

Seems like you're out lookin' for trouble mate. Don't be a martyr.

[eruzeis]

You are such a little bitch. "Officers berated, bullied and threatened me." I hope you get brutally murdered and butt fucked and some shit head "freelance journalist" sends some pictures that he took of your body to your family. And what the fuck are you talking about "freelance journalist"? You're just a douche bag that goes around looking for reasons to get on people's nerves and when someone tells you to stop you say you're being "bullied." You're a fucking moron.

[JimboVids]

@eruzeis

"I hope you get brutally murdered"

You think you're some kind of bad-ass while you sit behind a computer screen? You're NOT. You're just a cowardly little cunt.

[DarkKnightBob1o1]

placing bets on this kid being an asshole paparrazi in 5 years time

[XRAY760]

Your no journalist, just an ass trying to provoke the Police. Quit erroneously posting you are some kind of journalist. You are on a single agenda to harass Police Officers. Grow up and become a respectful member of society. Your obviously a weak man by posting all these types of videos

[JimmyJustice4753]

I love your blog ! thank you for everything you do to support photographers rights.

[mfarring13]

You are the type of F'ng idiots that are giving photographers a bad name!!! If you want to fight for photographers rights, quit provoking the cops and being a douchelord!

[Philflash]

Why is it always the obese officers that have so much to complain about? Because it comes with lazyness, they do not want to set up addition crime scene tape. Please note: We are in a budget crisis, please pretend crime scene tape is there! HA HA HA!!!

[MINIPIN1978]

You keep preaching the law like your a Lawyer. However, you say your a freelance photographer - in other words your Unemployed. Go back to school... P.s You are wasting my time... So Peace...

[discarted]

@MINIPIN1978

but you keep coming back.

so only lawyers know the law? that's an interesting idea.

[drotheill]

@discarted I find it odd you always wear a hidden camera. Trying to egg cops on good sir? At first I was on your side till I realized you had so many different videos like this.

[samala5793]

@MINIPIN1978 EVERYONE know that you have no expectation of privacy in public especially when you're a public servant! You should get a copy of the constitution and commit it to memory!

[samala5793]

@MINIPIN1978 EVERYONE know that you have no expectation of privacy in public especially when you're a public servant! You should get a copy of the constitution and commit it to memory!

[SuperBellies]

@MINIPIN1978

Unemployed?? Do you know what it means to freelance? I am a freelance designer and I guarantee I make more money than you. You must have a government job? Or some other REAL job huh? ha. You could be employed with a company for years on contract/freelance terms... but you obviously don't understand. So Peace...

[michaelhernsin]

@MINIPIN1978 You state "your wasting my time so peace"...its time YOU spent on your own will. Really dont come here and criticize someone, when your doing worse. Perhaps YOU should get a REAL life, instead of instructing others to do so, and quit trolling youtube videos to talk crap to. Its quite pathetic. Because someone KNOWS the law doesn't mean you have to be a lawyer. Its called being educated. Really lets think before you open that mouth of yours again.

[BloatedSensations]

@MINIPIN1978 Wow! You misspelled the word "you're" three separate times in just two sentences. ... Did you really just tell that other guy to "Go back to school"??? A little case of the pot calling the kettle black, perhaps? You do understand that you look like a complete idiot right now, don't you?

[MINIPIN1978]

@BloatedSensations : oh well. English is not my native language anyway (it's actually my third, and I've only been studying English for two years). Thanks for taking time out busy schedule to play teacher.

[MINIPIN1978]

@BloatedSensations by the way, the message wasn't from me...It was MichaelHernsin.....who looks like the idiot now?

[BloatedSensations]

@MINIPIN1978 Now it looks like both you AND MichaelHernsin.

[locosway]

@MINIPIN1978 How can you tell someone to go back to school when you don't know the difference between your and you're?

[MINIPIN1978]

I don't see the berated, bullied, and threatened part....But, what ever you say bro.... You should have taken your ghetto blaster and played "NWA's Fu$% the police while you where taking photo's" . It would have made more of an interesting video....pretty boring if you ask me.

[discarted]

@MINIPIN1978

i suggest looking up the definition for berate and bully then

i was threatened with obstruction aka "contempt of cop" for defying the cop's unlawful order. even though photographing crime scenes in public is completely legal.

a cop's personal opinion doesn't matter whatsoever: they're not the moral or censor police. that's not their job. they're job is to enforce and follow actual laws.

sorry, but telling the cops to fuck themselves is not what this is about

[MINIPIN1978]

@discarted I didn't see it as threatening...You want to see it like that because it appears your trying to egg them on. We can hear it in your voice. Maybe you should be come a cop and get a better understanding of where they are coming from. I have to admit, If I was murdered, I wouldn't want you to film my bloody body in the back ground while your trying to pick a fight with the police. If that was the case, I'd be glad they told you to step back.

[discarted]

@MINIPIN1978

just make sure you're not murdered in public then

and why do i need to be a cop to get an understanding of where they're coming from? i could care less; they don't care about me or actual law.

the man's wife/girlfriend wanted me to take photos of the man. i was with her for more than hour consoling her while the cops refused to let her see him for one last time

the cops approached me. not the other way around. they should've ignored me

i thought i was wasting your time, no?

[dp535i]

@discarted - @ 1:15 you told the officer you don't know that guy. but you admit you know,or met his gf/wife to MINIPIN1978 "the man's wife/girlfriend wanted me to take photos of the man. i was with her for more than hour consoling her while the cops refused to let her see him for one last time the cops approached me. ".

u are involved, & ur lucky they didn't put ur name & address in the report. you might be more helpful as a witness instead of just being a mosquito. lol

[lpi223]

Ur the type of idiot that is provoking the officers! U are just looking to sue! I hope Ur ass gets beat down, sprayed, tazed and beat with their stick! All Ur videos are like that! Ur an idiot!

[discarted]

@lpi223

public photography is legal.

and it's unfortunate how some people can't control themselves or behave appropriately when they see a camera.

threats of arrest or making unlawful orders because a camera is present is simply not acceptable

[icewolf293]

@discarted

It's because assholes like you have no respect for people's privacy. You purposely hid a camera, and provoked the police. They asked you to move and you didn't you acted like an ass.

Some people like you look for problems, they have such a hatred for cops. Put yourself in their shoes having to deal with assholes like you every single day. This is why they are stressed this is why they are edgy, assholes like you cause it. If it wasn't for people like you, their job would be easier.

[HenryChinaski405]

WHERE IN LA did this take place? I cant picture where it is. Just curious.

[discarted]

@HenryChinaski405

Barnsdale Park, Hollywood

[taylormario54]

straight up dumb ass again lol, this guy is hilarious i cant wait to see a video of you gettin a beat down from cops that would make my day

[HenryChinaski405]

The guy broke no laws. The cops cant just "make up" laws as they wish. He did NOTHING wrong and as a citizen of this country you are protected by the CONSTITUTION that allows you do do what he just did. You must be some half-a-retard KID to think that just because they use intimitating voices that they can ORDER you do do things. THEY CANT.

[AllenRockwell]

Once while shooting an accident scene I had a cop ask me when he started getting frustrated at loosing the argument "... so if there was a dead body in that car would it still be OK for you to shoot photos?"

I replied "It would still be legal, but I would probably choose not to".

He did not have a response to that and he just walked away with his tail between his legs and let me get on with doing my job.

[AllenRockwell]

When did "disrespecting" a dead body become illegal? These cops just love to make up laws as they go along.

The law is simple: With VERY few exceptions, If you can see it, you can shoot it.

PhotographyIsntACrime (dot) com

[CutthroatP8ntball999]

What ever man your a fucking retard and obviously a tough guy over the Internet. But I really hope you get aressted you smart ass.

[CutthroatP8ntball999]

yea id like to see that

seeing as you left some detail out making it seem as if you had nothing better to do than photograph a diseased person. Im not sure why you dont listen if they ask you to leave why not leave you can get arrested for not complying

In my opinion you fail.

[Minorityretort]

@CutthroatP8ntball999 the word is "deceased" retard. Oh, and doing whatever you're told to do just because someone has a badge, makes you a fool. You don't need to comply with an officer's orders if they are unfounded or unlawful. To do so paves the road to abuse of power. You, sir, are pure fail.

[CutthroatP8ntball999]

your a fuckin douche

have some respect asshole

[discarted]

that's original. too bad the guy's wife wanted me to take photos. would you like to see that part of the video?

[dm102790]

You people are so misinformed it is disgusting. He has a constitutional right to be here and photograph whatever he wants. In no way was he interfering with the investigation. You talk about having respect? maybe the police should have a little more respect for the people that pay their salaries

[CORYSPHOTOS]

wheres the tape waddleduckie1 ???????? OH and read the handbook yourself,five star rating fuck misinformed police officers!

[discarted]

well said

[waddleduckie1]

I don't think you do fully understand the law, do you? Did you read the handbook or not? Apparently, did you see that the crime scene was roped off with yellow tape? Did you not have eyes plastered onto your face? Also, you must listen to what the officer tells you to do, you do not try to dispute the officer without knowing what your rights are. Unless you have any potential credentials that entitles you to the right of photographing any crime scene, you must listen to the officer.

[discarted]

Just another misinformed person making claims that are absolutely false. Seriously, where do people like yourself come up with this stuff? Do you actually research laws or do just base everything you know on what you've heard or thought you've heard.

Or worst, assumed?

[dejourj]

What the hell man... have some repect for the dead and the officers

how would u feel if ur mothers dead body, with her brains running out of her head was laying @ a crime scene... and some dumb dumb was taping it? Not Cool, not cool @ all !!

[discarted]

actually the deadman's wife wanted me to photograph him. would you like to see that part of the video where she tells me to take pictures?

what about the officers having some respect for the law and following it themselves?

[hummlan1]

Just do what the cops ask you to do, but no, you think youre speciell. Idiot.Hope yoy learn your lesson

[discarted]

what lesson would that be?

[deanshaq]

Just fuck up cunt

[fleck140]

What did cops do before Tape you idiot? They defined the crime scene with officers requesting civilians to move aside. You are wrong here. Pleanty of real abuses to worry about.

[nineteenpaulie]

Interfering with a police investigation is as simple as causing them to stop processing/securing a crime scene to deal with your punk ass. Sorry but true.

[discarted]

then why wasn't i charged with anything?

[wallyzorzin]

while i agree that what you were doing was legal im siding with the cops here its a crime scene and someone died have some respect

[cpdlife4me]

what I wouldn't give to slap the taste outta your mouth you cocky little fucker.

get a life

[discarted]

here's an invite to come try

[Bill44copwatch]

Sue the bastards

[wvnjuarez]

This video sucks. You cant see shit.

[cowleshome]

AAAARRRRGHH!!

I get pissed at the way people have voted for their rights to get stripped little by little... Here is just more evidence of the end result to people voting for more police.

[novapj]

I know you were right, see from my page i have the same trouble where i live... maybe next time ask them to put up the tape while you are there, works the same for you and actually helps them out by legally making a scene perimeter, if people can just walk up to this hillside no problem then theres no excuse for not wanting to seal it off. Tape really should be used if it can, like a traffic cone or flare at an accident or even like overhead lights on a cruiser...do you have link to the pics?