Customer Called Cops on Me at the Post Office — But Something Surprising Happened

On a sunny day in Jensen Beach, Florida, I visited the United States Post Office located at 2301 NE Savannah Road to conduct a First Amendment audit. Unlike many of the more dramatic audits that unfold in heated confrontations or unlawful detainments, this one told a quieter story — but still revealed important truths about public rights, misunderstandings about privacy, and how law enforcement should respond when someone is exercising constitutionally protected activity.

The experience at this post office was different from many I’ve had before. No screaming. No threats. No one crossed a line. But a lot was said — both in words and in actions — that made this audit just as valuable as any other.

The Setup: Filming in Public Is Still Legal

First Amendment audits are designed to test public knowledge, tolerance, and authority response to a simple concept: citizens have the right to record in public places. That includes government buildings, like post offices, as long as the activity takes place in publicly accessible areas. This is not just a principle — it’s supported by federal guidelines like Poster 7, which the U.S. Postal Service itself posts in its lobbies.

As I entered the USPS in Jensen Beach, I had my camera out and rolling. I didn’t try to be sneaky, but I also didn’t announce myself with a bullhorn. The point was simple: film calmly and see what happens. Would staff respect my rights? Would someone try to shut it down? Would law enforcement be called?

Spoiler alert: someone did call the cops.

But before we get to that, let’s talk about the subtle human moments that made this audit memorable.

A Brief But Respectful Interaction With USPS Staff

It didn’t take long for a staff member to acknowledge me. A female postal employee, while assisting a customer at the counter, looked in my direction and asked, “Can you stop recording?”

Rather than snap back or get defensive, I calmly explained that I’m a journalist working on a video about recording from public spaces. Her tone shifted almost immediately. “Have a good day,” she said.

That moment could’ve gone either way. It’s not uncommon for postal workers to react negatively — often aggressively — when they see a camera in the lobby. But in this case, she chose not to escalate. What happened next was even more interesting.

The customer she was assisting stepped in to educate her. “That’s a First Amendment audit,” he told her. The employee didn’t argue. Later, while assisting a different customer, I overheard her say something like, “People don’t have privacy anymore.” I took a moment to politely correct her: “People can still have privacy — just not in public.”

It wasn’t confrontational. It was just a moment of shared clarity, and perhaps a chance for her to think a little differently about the situation. I don’t know what she did afterward. She didn’t come back out. She didn’t call the police herself, as far as I know.

The Customer Who Called the Cops

Instead, it was a customer who chose to escalate the situation. I had just been filming quietly when I overheard a man on the phone. His tone was direct and a little agitated. He muttered something to the effect of “You’re going to find out real quick,” referencing me.

Though I can’t confirm who he was speaking to, it became clear soon enough that someone had called the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

What happened next was the part of the audit that mattered most — not because of tension, but because of how it was handled.

Enter: Corporal Mosley and Deputy Wenrick

Corporal M. Mosley was the first to arrive. Calm but firm, he began to assess the situation. He didn’t bark orders. He didn’t assume I was doing something wrong. But he did make one thing clear: if the USPS staff wanted me to leave, he would ask me to do so, and if I refused, he would trespass me.

This is a common — and often legally questionable — tactic. Trespassing can’t be enforced unless a lawful order to leave has been given, and only by someone with the authority to do so. In many audits, officers will use the mere possibility of a staff request as grounds to pressure someone into leaving.

But here’s what mattered in this case: no USPS employee ever made that request. No one from the post office came out to tell me to leave. And Corporal Mosley didn’t press the issue beyond that. As far as I know, he didn’t speak directly with any USPS supervisor about removing me. He didn’t try to escalate it further.

Deputy N. Wenrick also arrived shortly after. His approach was professional from start to finish. He didn’t make unlawful demands. He didn’t question my intentions. He respected the boundaries of what was going on. While I wouldn’t call this a “walk of honor” in the traditional sense — because they didn’t explicitly support the audit — it’s worth noting that neither deputy violated my rights or abused their authority.

And in this day and age, that’s not something to gloss over.

Why This Audit Matters — Even Without Drama

If you’re someone who watches First Amendment audits hoping for screaming matches and unlawful arrests, this one might not be for you.

But if you believe that civil rights should be respected without a fight, and that education sometimes happens in quiet moments, then this audit says a lot.

A USPS worker learned something about audits. A customer spoke up. Deputies responded professionally. And I stood my ground, calmly and confidently, without having to escalate anything.

The truth is, not every audit needs a meltdown to make a point. Sometimes, the best wins come when nothing major happens — because that’s how it’s supposed to work.

Federal Guidelines Are Clear — But Still Misunderstood

It’s important to point out that the USPS itself allows recording in its lobbies, as long as it doesn’t interfere with operations. This is printed in Poster 7, which is typically found on the lobby wall of most post offices. The same policy was in effect here in Jensen Beach.

Yet many people — even staff — continue to believe that filming in a public post office is illegal. Or at least “rude” enough to justify police involvement.

That’s why these audits matter. They’re not about confrontation. They’re about making people think — about pushing back against false narratives and helping everyone (including law enforcement) recognize that public space belongs to the people.

Final Thoughts — A Quiet Victory for Accountability

This audit won’t go viral for its fireworks. But it deserves attention for its restraint.

The deputies who responded didn’t create conflict. The staff member who questioned me didn’t escalate. Even the customer who called the police simply made a choice — and the system worked without anyone getting arrested, detained, or intimidated.

It’s important to show these examples just as much as the ones that go off the rails. Because they prove that with enough public pressure, legal awareness, and community understanding, auditors can be seen for what we are: journalists, activists, watchdogs — not threats.

And for those who’ve followed my work at Good Citizen News Network, you know the goal isn’t chaos. The goal is change. One post office, one sidewalk, one city at a time.

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