The Los Angeles Police Department kept their hands folded as a man who had just suffered an assault in LA County, California, was left with no choice but to seek justice through other means.
In a video posted on Reddit, a man appeared outraged, his veins bulging in visible frustration as he shouted, “I’m a big bada* motherf**er, do something!” Rather than calming the situation, the man seemed intent on stirring more trouble. Moments later, he shoved a cameraman, who was backing him and quietly filming with his camera on a stand. The push was deliberate and forceful, causing the unsuspecting cameraman to stumble.
The video then cuts to an LAPD officer at the scene, speaking with the victim. From their conversation, it became clear that some property had already been damaged. Yet, the officer explained he couldn’t arrest since the offense wasn’t committed in his presence. He added that the victim would need to file a private arrest and testify in court before any action could be taken.
When asked about the “battery” and the damaged property, the LAPD officer dismissed it as a “misdemeanor”, clarifying that property damage under $400 falls into that category. Meanwhile, the alleged assailant was still roaming the scene freely, loud, disruptive, and unbothered.
At one point, a man standing behind the LAPD officer, drink in hand, turned and said, “Guys, the police are impotent in California. Let’s just move.” The officer, defensive, tried to explain he was doing his job. But the man stood firm, arguing that the culture of the state itself tied the police’s hands while crime thrived daily.
Unsurprisingly, the comments section erupted with criticism of the justice system. “This is how you get vigilantism,” one user wrote. Another mocked the officer’s statement, writing, “ ‘I’m just trying to do my job’ is ironically hilarious. The justice system is a joke.” Someone else added, “Street justice seems to be the new thing. Why be scared of it if you can’t get in trouble anyway?”
Another Redditor lamented, “This is absolutely normal for CA. Criminals don’t get prosecuted, and law-abiding citizens pay the price.” Calls for harsher measures even surfaced. “Bring in the National Guard,” urged this resident.
One user summarized their frustration with California’s policies, “This is exactly how they’ve manufactured a ‘reduction’ in crime. By desensitizing assault arrests, making thefts under $1,000 a misdemeanor, cashless.”
As of now, it remains unclear whether the victim has pursued legal action against his attacker.
