The Killing of Allen Kephart: How the Police Lost the Trust of a Law-and-Order Town

On May 10, 43-year old Allen Kephart died after being tased multiple times by three San Bernardino, California sheriff's deputies during a routine traffic stop.

Kephart, a quiet and well-liked member of the tight-knit mountain community around Lake Arrowhead, allegedly ran a stop sign and became "combative" during the stop.

But local residents say this claim is wildly out of character for Kephart, who had no police record and no history of aggressive behavior or even temper. Kephart's death has galvanized the local community around a problem they say is getting worse: aggressive policing and the souring of relations between civilians and local law enforcement.

While an FBI review of Kephart's death proceeds, the people of Lake Arrowhead are demanding a change in the climate of fear that has grown up in this quiet rural community. Whatever the final outcome of that investigation, the case of Allen Kephart is a case study in how law enforcement can lose the support even of citizens who believe strongly in law and order.

Producers: Tim Cavanaugh and Paul Detrick. Camera and Editing: Paul Detrick and Alex Manning

About 7 minutes. Go to http://reason.tv for downloadable versions and subscribe to Reason.tv's YouTube Channel to receive automatic notifications when new material goes live.

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[RRNYC1998]

I am a conservative and say that the police in this nation are out of control and need to be reigned in

[carolndoug2007]

JUSTICE FOR ALLEN KEPHART!!!!

[eg6v8killa]

Punkass cops

[shellyemarvin]

I'm sorry for your family. So very sorry.

[xoYoungGunox]

@rimfootball77

You don't have to pull over until you feel you are in a safer spot I.E. away from highway traffic which is probly what he was doing. Even so getting tazed by 3 officers.. Yea that was SO necessary!

[trump3tplayer]

@Rimfootball77 i forgot to say....Fuck You!

[trump3tplayer]

@rimfootball77 so its the police's job to abuse and kill people?

[Rimfootball77]

Fuck this, this is a stupid video the sheriffs are doing there jobs mabe this idiot would of pulled over soooner he would been fine and officer would of given him warning

[AZRanger]

@GetMeThere1

The police are doing exactly what we pay them to do. They enforce the law. Most of the people who have been harassed are partly to blame.

HOWEVER...

The heavy hand of law enforcement was often ignored when the victims were poor and uneducated. Its only an issue now because the abuse of authority is not only happening to the poor and uneducated.

A haphazard and militarized police force is the price we pay for a "safe and secure" society.

[thexjib]

@jonguyton1 it is a wonderful place to live, paradise on earth... minus the police.

[GetMeThere1]

People have to get together and ask and answer the question: Are these police DOING THE JOB WE WANT? THE JOB WE PAY THEM FOR? The answer is obviously NO. People don't hire other people to be their ADVERSARIES.

[bineivanit]

Seeing this video! from now on if I ever get pulled over by a cop I will be nervous. I personally never been in trouble with the law just like this person that got killed buy less humans. I am deeply sorry 4 d's person family.from kent washington.