PROOF: Vancouver Police Stole My Journalism Gear and Belligerently Withheld My Possessions

Vancouver, B.C. (Timestamps Below)

Trust me when I say I am ready to move on and forget, but the reason I had to create this video is to expose an apparent pattern of the Vancouver Police stealing from their political opponents or whoever they think is defenseless. I do not want to demonize all police. I am sure there are a lot of good officers or would like to think so, but my experience is what it is. Everyone can agree that police should have body cams on at all times so the truth can come out.

For those unfamiliar with the case, this was for failing to provide ID within 50 seconds of being asked for a face covering offense. Whether the arrest or use of force was warranted or not, stealing people's stuff is wrong. Maybe it is a conspiracy, malice or incompetence, the result is the same.

It's amazing how cavalier these officers were. They could have justified the choke hold, but they couldn't resist rubbing it in by destroying my property. Maybe someone ordered them from above and that's why ten officers showed up for a non violent offense or maybe it's an implied understanding that Mayor Stuart is okay with them acting like thugs. In any case, they were running around like Bill Clinton in the 1990s before anybody had a cell phone to record his antics.

I recorded every point of contact I made with the police with the exception of the night of my arrest because they released me that night with an empty backpack. I was told that night to find my journalism gear with the other two people I was arrested with despite my arrest papers saying it was illegal to contact them. The arresting officer never once responded to my phone calls or emails and that's nothing in comparison with how they belligerently withed my property at the VPD property office at Glenn Drive on two occasions. While I was there, I met a man who says the police stole his bicycle, two knives, and two cans of bear spray. Of course I recorded his testimony if you are interested.

0:00 You guys have stolen from a journalist!

0:15 Establishing that the officers were well aware that the journalism gear was my property.

0:55 The arrest papers which show I was forbidden from contacting Lisa and Darren. They testify to receiving some of my possessions "by accident."

1:20 First time at the Vancouver Police property office on Glenn Drive. They claim I need the arresting officer's permission and proof of ownership for them to release my megaphone. My microphones are not there.

2:40 Second time I am at the Vancouver Police property office and third time their story changes. They now say proof of purchase is not enough to release my bullhorn. The only way to get my bullhorn is to contact the officer who refuses to answer my calls and emails.

4:04 An accounting of where all my stuff ended up that night. Somehow I was the only person of the three of us who went home empty handed.

4:22 Cordially trying to contact the arresting officer.

5:10 Incompetence or malice?

5:36 You can see the microphone drop to the ground next to the officer's feet.

5:45 From the moment I was forced to the ground, I continuously asked about my journalism gear. More evidence they knew it was my stuff

5:50 300% Time Lapse of "crime scene"

6:45 The moment a female officer in plain clothes reaches down and picks up my microphone. She looks at it curiously, identifying it, and puts it in my backpack. This backpack was returned to me empty. Despite complying with their questions, this officer and her colleagues refused to answer whether or not they had my microphones.

7:13 For some reason, they open the backpack two more times. It's clear the microphone must still be inside because it is not visible on the sidewalk. The officer removes my bullhorn and puts it in the van separately.

7:30 the backpack continues to change hands, but the camera never loses sight of it before it enters the van. You can hear me answering their questions and doing everything I am told.