RISE Calls 911 Over a Camera — Cops Rise to the Occasion

Two Days, One Camera — Clematis Street

I didn’t go to Clematis Street expecting fireworks. I went for the sunlight, the art, the people, and a little curiosity about how the public and the police would respond to a camera quietly rolling on the sidewalk.

Turns out, that curiosity was worth exploring.

What started as a casual walk with a camera turned into a two-day First Amendment audit that included a dispensary calling the cops, two officers earning Walks of Honor, and some of the best unscripted street moments I’ve caught in a while.

DAY ONE: RISE, REACTIONS, AND A WALK OF HONOR

Day one was all about getting the lay of the land. Clematis has a vibe. The street is colorful and lively, lined with palm trees and small businesses that range from nail salons to smoke shops to city buildings. If you stand still for more than a minute, you’ll see a jogger, a dog walker, a city worker, and a scooter zip by all at once.

I started with wide shots and sidewalk footage. Early on, I passed by Hemp Social and an adjacent smoke shop. There was a bit of resistance to the filming, some questioning glances and mild tension, but nothing that escalated.

A few blocks later, I caught sight of the Mandel Public Library. That place holds a memory for me. I was trespassed there in a previous audit just for filming inside. I didn’t go in this time, but seeing it again reminded me why I do this.

Then came RISE Medical Marijuana Dispensary, sitting at 430 Clematis. I was on the public sidewalk, camera in hand, not blocking access or being disruptive. Still, someone inside apparently felt threatened enough to call the police.

That’s where things got interesting.

First to arrive was Officer Forgione — the same officer from my West Palm Beach Banks video outside Chase. That day, he respected my rights and did everything by the book. And on Clematis, he did it again. He rode up on his bicycle, approached calmly, and never made it about ego or control. Just like last time, he enforced the law, not feelings.

We spoke briefly off camera. He told me he saw the previous video and actually used it for training with other officers. That’s huge. That’s impact. That’s why I film.

A few minutes later, Officer Haberkorn arrived. He went inside RISE, presumably to speak with whoever called 911. No one from the dispensary came out. No one ordered me to leave. The blinds were lowered. That was it. Based on Haberkorn’s calm demeanor and the total lack of escalation, I can only assume he explained the law clearly and correctly. For that, he earned his first Walk of Honor on the channel.

The day ended with me heading back to the car, feeling like things had shifted in the right direction. Two cops. Two Walks of Honor. No rights violated.

DAY TWO: CITY BUSINESS, GARDEN VIBES, AND A DIFFERENT KIND OF ENCOUNTER

Day two had a different purpose. I returned to the area to file a public records request at 401 Clematis Street — the City Clerk’s Office. The building has the usual security: metal detectors, bag scanners, the works. But nobody stopped me. No one said a word. I walked in, made my request, and the woman at the front desk couldn’t have been more professional.

She did mention that public records requests are technically supposed to be filed at the police department, but she said she was happy to take mine and make sure it got to the right place. That’s how public service should work.

I left the clerk’s office and decided to walk the area again. No agenda, just curiosity. That’s when I noticed something familiar in the air. A scent.

I followed it to Cityzen Garden, a peaceful little green space tucked between buildings, with benches, shade, and a few folks quietly hanging out. That’s where I saw her: a woman sitting at a table, rolling a joint with a man beside her.

She looked up and saw me filming. For a split second, she seemed nervous. I told her right away: “I see you, but don’t worry — I’m not going to snitch.”

She laughed, head tilted back, and the vibe instantly changed. She said, “This is a good spot, right?” And I agreed.

We talked for a bit. She asked what I was doing, and I told her I was just out filming in public. She smiled and said I reminded her of those auditors she’s seen online. When I said, “You’re in luck,” she lit up.

She told me she had her medical marijuana card, and while that may be true, smoking in public is still illegal. I reminded her of that too, but again — I’m not here to be the weed police. We shared a real moment of understanding, something rare and oddly wholesome, right there in the middle of downtown.

THE CLOSEOUT: A LIGHT MOMENT TO END A SOLID AUDIT

On my way back to the car, I spotted a woman chatting with a parking enforcement officer. I was already out of time on the meter and thought for sure I was getting a ticket.

But the woman turned, smiled, and joked, “I kept him distracted for you.”

She didn’t know it, but she was the perfect bookend to the audit. Two days, one camera, and a string of public interactions that ran the spectrum from skeptical to supportive, tense to funny, and everything in between.

This is the kind of footage that reminds me why I pick up the camera. Not every story ends with sirens or confrontation. Sometimes the best result is no incident at all. No rights violated. No unlawful orders. Just people doing what people do, and police doing what they’re supposed to.

That’s the gold standard. That’s the goal.

And that’s why this audit matters.

BONUS CONTENT & FULL VIDEO

If you haven’t already seen it, the full video is up on the Good Citizen News Network YouTube channel. It’s called:

“Cops Called Over Filming Outside RISE — Ends in a Walk of Honor”

You’ll see every key moment from both days — plus a few that didn’t make it into this post. There’s also audio from my DJI mic, extra B-roll, and photos embedded here on the blog.

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