A Southern California police officer arrested a man for video recording “private cars” from a public sidewalk.
The Covina police officer named K. Counts then handcuffed the man when he refused to provide identification, claiming that they were looking for a suspect on the loose, and that it could have very well been the man with the camera who decided to return to the crime of the scene, knowing he was being sought.
But from the video, it didn’t appear to be much of a manhunt.
There were no helicopters or cops searching yards. There were just a group of cops talking to some citizens from several yards away when the man, who goes by Damon Enz on Youtube, but identified himself as “David” to the officer.
The cop then told him he had the right to pat him down for “officer safety reasons.”
David obliged to let himself be patted down, which was when the cop knocked the camera out of his hand and handcuffed him.
David’s mother came out and picked up the camera, continuing to record, pleading with the cop to release her son, but the cop insisted that he was “obstructing my investigation.”
Another cop came up and walked towards his mother, which is when the video stops.
The incident took place June 30, 2014. David was incarcerated for six hours. Charges have since been dropped.
From his Youtube description:
This video contains content of me being harassed by the Covina police department for filming on a public sidewalk this officer was out of line I was ASSULTED, KIDNAPPED, and my personal property was STOLEN from me because the officers pride was hurt what he did was wrong don’t be afraid to hold corrupt police accountable for their actions!! I was also charged for obstruction and false I.D. even though his job wasnt being obstructed and i provided him with my true name even tho i didnt half to!!! The charges were dropped so the department can cover up their corruption!! ive been harrased by them multiple times for petty things what this officer did was commit multiple felonies and he needs to be charged!!!!!!
But it’s clear that officer, first name possibly Kenneth, had no reasonable suspicion that David was committing a crime. Just because he purported there was a suspect loose, there should need to be at least a matching description for the cop to proceed with a pat-down.
Counts is just another bully with a badge, knowing that even though the charges against David will likely be dismissed (they were), he was able to shut him down from recording.
Even though the charges were dropped, you can still contact Covina Police Chief Kim Raney at (626) 384-5600 or kraney@covinaca.gov or you might be able to reach the cop at kcounts@covinaca.gov.
UPDATE: Chief Kim Raney responded to PINAC’s request for comment with the following statement:
