When Police Wreck Your Property and Leave You With the Bill

What happens if police destroy your property while trying to catch a bad guy?
Do they compensate you? For many the answer is: NO!
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Innocent print shop owner Carlos Pena had his shop wrecked by police.
“All the work of my life … just got ruined!” says Pena.
Police destroyed his shop trying to catch a man who barricaded himself inside the shop.
Pena thought he’d be reimbursed. But after a year spent trying to navigate the bureaucracy, he hasn’t received anything.
“They just gave me numbers to call. And when you call, they referred me to somebody else,” explains Pena, “It's unbearable!”
Lawyer Jeffrey Redfern of the Institute for Justice took his case for free because he says what happened to Pena is unconstitutional.
“We want to make it clear,” explains Redfern, “when police destroy innocent people's property, they have to pay for the damage that they did.”
If you’d like to help Pena recover his life, here is a Go-Fund-Me page set up to help him: www.gofundme.com/f/help-for-c...

[@khukri_wielderxxx1962]

If police departments were actually held accountable then a LOT of hatred for police would go away

[@BuddyLee23]

Not that it’s any excuse, but very few individuals (at least those fit and qualifying) wish to be LEOs anymore, and agencies probably see increased accountability as making that problem even worse.

[@HM-sx6mg]

This is a city government issue (City Hall / City legal council). Not a police issue.

[@RisenGlorfindel]

@@HM-sx6mgsort of. Police often go too far. Destroying things can be fun and if there’s no accountability for police then of course they’re going to smash other people’s things just for the hell of it.

[@Marin3r101]

Yeah, don't lay blame on the insurance company. They could easily go to court without the insuree even being affected. Government is bad but the fact the private insurance company takes your money and doesn't even attempt to help.

[@systemsbroken]

Yes, because low self esteem power mongers with limited mental prowess tend to apply for those jobs. @@BuddyLee23

[@YT-User1013]

Police and government officials should not be immune from their actions

[@jabcreations]

America is an anarchist state, read my comment above.

[@snappertrx]

They aren't, but it's the people who have to hold them to account, and we don't. We can't expect the government to hold the government to account on its own.

[@joshhigdon4951]

Abolish qualified immunity

[@Mike_Cosentino]

Fuvk qualified immunity

[@timl9724]

@@snappertrx we are the government, and we love getting away with stuff (generally). It's starts and ends with our culture. We can do better, starting now.

[@LackLusterMedia]

They have plenty of your dollars until they have to pay you for their misdeeds.

[@Diametricallyopposed00]

Exactly. think of all the taxes this hard working, honest man has paid. And he’s left holding the bag while the government squanders 75% of what they take in from the public. I was rear ended by a police officer and it took a year and a half to get paid for the damages to my car. If the city or state owes you for damages, you’re screwed. LL - love your channel.

[@Tylerd838]

no they don’t 😂

[@ThePoliticalBulldog]

ACAB

[@ThePoliticalBulldog]

@@Tylerd838 it's always someone with rustyshackleford in their name with the bootlicker takes

[@Tylerd838]

@@ThePoliticalBulldog your local police departments don’t have disposable income like that

[@drewelliott9062]

The amount of money our government wastes on countless things and they can't pay for damages to an innocent victims property or homes is despicable!

[@bentonrp]

Yup. That's because they work.... Against you...! Founding Fathers had known this.

[@Mr.Frunddles]

Yeah they give our tax dollars to foreign countriea and immigrants.

[@theprofessional155]

I remembered when the Colorado story happened. The city argued that the police can not be responsible for damage during police actions but this force has been excessive several times. I know they have to get the criminal but you can’t just obliterate someone’s home or business and just leave them homeless. If you don’t pay property tax they take your home away but the government can blow up your home and isn’t responsible. It’s disgusting .

[@victorlorraine6596]

not only are they not responsible but you still gotta pay property tax

[@FrankNStein-pf9rr]

theprofessional155 @ > "If you don’t pay property tax they take your home away but the government can blow up your home and isn’t responsible." U R 1/2 right/correct. If you don’t pay the property tax which is really THEIR annual RENTAL FEE, they take THEIR home away from U, & U no longer have THAT EQUITABLE INTEREST IN THEIR HOME THAT THEY BESTOWED UPON U AS LONG AS U PAY THE ANNUAL RENTAL FEE!! @ "but the government can blow up your home and isn’t responsible." U R 100% correct. The "annual rental fee/property tax collectors" R the right arm, & the destroyers R the left. It's a Family affair.

[@PrecisionClays]

@@victorlorraine6596 Don't forget, the owner must clean up the mess they left or they will be fined by code enforcement as well!

[@rollotomasislawyer3405]

The other bitterly ironic point is, they issue no additional charges against the criminal they were pursuing. Charges like arson, destruction of private property, breaking and entering, vandalism, etc. The perpetrator cause it all to happen, at least give him a few more years for that.

[@rollotomasislawyer3405]

@@metalhead6526Then GTHO...

[@bartsanders1553]

There is nothing the state would ever deny itself, except liability.

[@GaryR55]

Yep. The nature of government is that it continually seeks more power.

[@richmanz447]

This is such a profound statement. It is the mission statement of government.

[@gregsteele806]

People are looking at these cases the wrong way. It's not about liability. It's about the government taking someone's private property (which they are allowed to do, but not without just compensation).

[@loreicmaster]

They sure denied the laws apply to them its just for you little people they wrote the laws.

[@jeffder7143]

​@@drewhio9262ahahaha

[@Dydreth]

This is inexcusable. As a tax payer, I _expect_ my taxes to be used to compensate people in positions like this.

[@robhaywood6783]

the government would rather give your money to another country to help them with their problems it needs to stop

[@jarrod752]

You thought you owned your property? That's cute.

[@Diametricallyopposed00]

@@robhaywood6783absolutely everything is upside down and backwards. It’s unbelievable how out of order everything is. Seems like obvious common sense should dictate how we run things, and it’s exactly the opposite. I say clean every government official out of office and start over. The government needs to be decentralized. It’s too big. Local government with input from the people is the only way to ensure accountability. When 90% of the people you ‘represent’ have never met you, and don’t really know your character, you end up with self serving scoundrels in office. And they give your hard earned money to whomever they please. Like foreign governments. And line their own pockets with the rest. There are exceptions, but they are few these days. End of rant 😂

[@80PercentAshamedOfU]

@@robhaywood6783 A lot of it goes in their pockets. Or to other countries, or to military contracts which still kicks back to their pockets. It’s outrageous and disgusting.

[@robhaywood6783]

@@80PercentAshamedOfU oh believe me I know

[@Emppu_T.]

Yet another display of government unaccountability. Thanks John for another great expose.

[@blackt0wer]

A "shoplifter" hid in a house and the police destroyed the house. It's more likely that the police caused more financial loss to the homeowner than the shoplifter did to whatever retail outlet they pillaged.

[@Smoove_J]

They barely even prosecute shoplifters. They probably wrecked that guy’s life so they could issue a warning.

[@user-bl7ii2ug2l]

A basically petty theft costs thousands of dollars...thats law enforcement. Jackbooted thugs. Not real bright

[@jryan9547]

I don’t get why that house was so damaged in the first place!

[@who346]

Its called common sense, and they sure aint using it. To chase someone down is okay, but to cause property damage in more amount is unacceptable. ALL This is CRAZY

[@orppranator5230]

@@jryan9547 How do you even smash a hole in the ceiling? What? How does that even happen?

[@chrisearle7886]

So somebody commits a crime, then resists arrest and ends up getting shot by police, they sue can sue the city for millions of dollars, but the innocent homeowner who lost their house gets nothing? Disgrace!!!

[@loreicmaster]

The Police are used against the Tax payers as a constant threat for the public to do as your globalist Masters demand or they will send their militarized terrorist forces against you and your property and destroy you.

[@taliawtf6944]

“Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.” -Thomas Jefferson

[@gonzo9827]

This is why Stossel is top-notch. He has reported on the heroic actions of the police, then horrific actions of the police, then the vilification of police, then the vindication of the police, now back again to the heroic and horrific actions of the police. When Stossel sees smoke, he knows there's fire. When Stossel sees messed up bureaucracy harming citizens, he cries foul! I'm pretty sure John Stossel doesn't have an editor or producer influencing his content. I'm pretty sure his content is manifested from his own brain. I'm pretty sure that's why I like him.

[@donaldred9312]

We can send money to Ukraine and we can’t reimburse him?

[@ColonelSanders17]

Politians care more about Ukraine and Illegal immigrants than citizens!

[@mds6387]

All extra tax money goes to Israel.

[@armageddonready4071]

Yup, because the politicians can’t steal ten percent from that bill, unlike sending money overseas where they can steal change.

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

Not enough International Praise and Acclaim to reimburse the little guy.

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

@@stevel6660 By not voting you showed your complacency with whomever was elected to represent you. And as your representative, what ever they sanctioned was by default sanctioned by you.

[@IshayuG]

Yes, this is unconstitutional.

[@redflipper992]

sorry. your little napkin note from the 1700's doesn't mean shit to the institution it started. It hasn't for a very long time, since about 1913.

[@Timbrock1000]

To the police, the Constitution is just a piece of paper,!

[@1-spartan]

​@@redflipper992when you take something for granted that gave you the foundational civil rights you have today , you have lost everything in the name of partisan politics fervour.

[@zrer8614]

​@@redflipper992Calling the constitution a "napkin note" while saying the government has been tyrannical for a long time is a kind of pseudointellectual flex that actively destroys what little context and coherence you can hope to find from such a person. When you go on to insult the very founding of this country acknowledging your rights as a Human being, maybe you should express something more meaningful instead of the same dribbled on "smarter than thou" crap we've heard for more than enough now.

[@redflipper992]

@@zrer8614 1) I guarantee I am smarter than you... as if it even needed to be said. 2) If you're going to posture, you need to use the right words at the right time- you write like a 17 year old who just discovered the thesaurus. and 3) your "constitution" is a document- a "philosophy-by-fiat". If those who swore to uphold it do not, then it is simply a dead platitude- an anachronism (just like the value of your American "dollar" lol)

[@youtube8775]

If they had to pay, they'd use less destructive techniques, like waiting out the criminal. The fact that insurance won't cover it is also disgusting.

[@skysurfer5cva]

The 5th Amendment says, in part, "Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." When law enforcement damages private property in the course of their duties, they are 100% liable for the damage. However, I have only ever heard of one case where this was successfully argued (IIRC, it was mentioned on the Civil Rights Lawyer YT channel).

[@ajkendro3413]

It was also mentioned on Steve Lehto's channel. This is the second test case using the imminent domain clause, the first was in Texas. If IJ fails here it will go to SCOTUS due to there being two different interpretations of the Constitution.

[@dergunter1237]

no shit, the constitution isnt worth the paper its written on

[@Kahless_the_Unforgettable]

I'm amazed at "Judges" who look at other laws, but don't bother reading the highest law. If a law conflicts with the Constitution, the Constitution wins every single time.

[@anonymousnearseattle2788]

(((judges)))

[@dansmith3507]

Except it doesn't these days.... shall not be infringed was not a suggestion!

[@Kahless_the_Unforgettable]

@@dansmith3507 I agree. That's one of those situations where Judges write new laws in order to support their incorrect decisions.

[@unbreakable7633]

Judges are just politicians now, part of the prosecution team. The system is broken at the core.

[@markjulianoriginalhooli2217]

I wouldn't bet on that one in the new amerika

[@davepost7675]

I thought I could not lose more faith in the governments in the United States.

[@josh3326]

Sorry, but those who trust and have faith in governments are weak.

[@bsmythe3214]

You sound like a foreign troll.

[@ILovePancakes24]

Just when you thought the government couldn't fall any further they find a way.

[@Joenzinator]

The sad part is we have one of the best justice systems in the world.

[@princessmarlena1359]

@@Joenzinator two tiered justice system, but then other countries have medieval star chamber style justice.

[@chuckaddison5134]

Soooo, when the destruction to private property is greater than the damage caused by the original criminal, who's really the criminal?

[@sscbkr48]

Outrageous! This reminds me of the story a CG recruit told me a few years ago. He said they'd intercepted a Canadian fishing vessel off the Oregon Coast and made him go into Ilwacco Wa. His frozen fish catch was left thawing on the dock as they ripped apart the interior of his vessel looking for drugs. They found nothing, he got no compensation.

[@OneEyedOneHornedGian]

It is so very odd that the people who write, interpret, and enforce the laws are not held to the same standards of the law...

[@alansloan7784]

"Can YOU say 'double standard' boys and girls? I knew you could...."

[@longsleevethong1457]

Weird how illegals like to break our laws to enter the country but then they love the laws when it protects them…

[@davidswanson5669]

@@alansloan7784more like a “hypocitic” oath, which goes something like “first do harm”.

[@thecryogenicdrummer1110]

But we are granted the protections of the 2nd amendment to right these wrongs.

[@OneEyedOneHornedGian]

@@thecryogenicdrummer1110 Goodluck enforcing that. They have been eating the bill of rights for decades.

[@zg-it]

Property rights are human rights Property rights are human rights Property rights are human rights

[@TheCarnivoreSoprano]

You don't have rights. You have privileges that can be revoked or suspended at anytime. If someone can give you something (rights) they can take it from you. The populace has a lot to learn.

[@user-hj7it2fi1k]

You think you have rights 😂😂😂

[@zg-it]

​@@TheCarnivoreSopranoI am mocking the people who claim that they deserve special "rights," and then take other people's property to impose those special rights on special groups of people.

[@TheCarnivoreSoprano]

​@@zg-itbut you don't understand the premise of what I said. The concept is flawed in and of itself.

[@zg-it]

@@TheCarnivoreSoprano I think we're saying the same thing. Natural law would dictate the property is protected. We have to use slogans to anesthetize people. All forms of "rights" means justifying theft from those who already had those "rights"

[@NIGHTFLIGHTVIDEO]

I'll never look at the cops the same way again. This is just unbelievable.

[@NoTimeForThatNow]

It’s not just your property, they wreck your life and just leave you to try to put the pieces back together.

[@loubega5140]

I swear John Stossel is America's last true journalist. Thank you sir, God bless you and keep up the great work. Edit: one of the very few last true journalist 👍

[@scottymaun]

James O'keefe as well. Do not forget him.

[@UtubeH8tr]

What about James okeefe?

[@LibertyWarrior1776]

There many good investigative journalists out there, like James O'Keefe. KZbin is rife with Citizen Journalists. The problem is the Mainstream Media is big enough to drown them out and the Government is corrupt enough to forget the 1st Amendment and pretend these people aren't really journalists.

[@java4653]

LOL. But he loves it when they kill people. This story is about a decade late. This shows Stossell -and you - don't actually care.

[@scottymaun]

@@philipmartin2919 There are actually quite a few, but good one you go there.

[@SDsc0rch]

The whole concept of qualified immunity needs to be reviewed by (and outlawed by) the Supreme Court.

[@848evo4]

I'm pretty sure the SCOTUS is who created qualified immunity, but you are correct it needs to be stopped

[@Mihomiti]

The Supreme Court created it wholecloth. It was never voted on

[@rispatha]

Yo fool, the SCOTUS is the organization that created the Doctrine of Qualified Immunity. What makes you think they are going to revoke it? There are no laws on the Federal, State or local levels of government that grant "Qualified Immunity" whatsoever. They took the Doctrine as is created by the SCOTUS and treat it as if it is law. Challenging that on the grounds of no actual laws created that grant this to police and government officials is where to start in getting it to be revoked. Basically it is nothing more than a "Policy" that is treated as if it were law. It is like me having a store and not allowing minors into the store without an adult present.

[@jabcreations]

Act of 1871: there is no government and therefore there are no courts. The entire system is literally criminal. Read my standalone comment above.

[@Eidolon1andOnly]

I think qualified immunity, if it is to exist, should not be inherent and should be determined by courts. No immunity should ever be granted when a third party becomes a victim of any law enforcement agency's use of force against persons or property.

[@nathanielalgernon975]

Need to take it all the way to the Supreme Court. This needs to go higher and great lawyers like this should help.

[@Unchainedful]

It can take years or even decades before it hits Supreme Court’s desk. Even then, each Supreme Court judge has the right to refuse to take the case if it can be solved locally, which these cases are supposed to be.

[@nathanielalgernon975]

@@Unchainedful if the system isn't working then something should be done even if it takes years. He should take it up the ladder and see what happens. You don't change things if you give up. There should be a landmark ruling.

[@ajkendro3413]

The Institute for Justice already has won on this at the appellate court level in Texas. If they lose on this one in Cali it will go to the SCOTUS due to there being two different interpretations of the Constitution.

[@daniellogue8354]

The Supreme Court is the one who gave them qualified immunity. Do you really think they're going to do anything differently? The state obviously approves of this type of behavior by its agents, otherwise it would already be acting on behave of the citizens.

[@onehappystud]

It amazes me that no one has taken revenge.

[@marklavoine8502]

Did happen check out kill dozer .

[@lordcorgi6481]

No one should be immune from the consequences of of their actions, especially those that are in charge.

[@Bob-bm3pd]

Oh but they are. And will threaten people with jail if they speak out. The good ol USSA. Home of the slave, Land of the fee.

[@keagan44]

I always believed that immunity should be there when needed. Just not automatically applied. Police might have to make some bad or worse decisions in a moment. It really should be a situational tool. And as the lawyer stated, pay for what you break. If your child gos into a china store and smashs everything in sight. The parents have to pay for it, why can the same standards be applied to the government.

[@Inquisitor6321]

"Qualified Immunity" MUST BE abolished!

[@AR-withBumpStockRoundDrumMag]

👍

[@AndrewMann205]

John Stossel. You have to be one of the best journalists of the century.

[@ralphholiman7401]

This story also shows you how worthless insurance can be.

[@Ocyla]

Yeah that's why there is very very specific wording on what they cover or do not. It's frustrating.

[@ralphholiman7401]

@Ocyla , and also why insurance companies end up in court so often.

[@Objectivityiskey]

This happened to me. I won't get into the details, but the police destroyed everything in my warehouse, over 100k. I lost that business and had to eat the cost. This is a real thing and it needs to stop!

[@sk8erboy5003]

Jeeze….so sorry to hear that! That’s insane.

[@valdivia1234567]

"The mayor hasn't done anything." Shocking.

[@tonymontana3742]

The county made a $73 dollar error on my property tax bill. When they realized their error, the first thing they did was threaten me with a Sheriffs sale of my property. The government is not for the people by the people.

[@nickrexroth2785]

This is the same scenario as high speed chases. Things get escalated past the point of what is necessary and it results in massive damages.

[@Bob-cd5pp]

Nothing the government does surprises me. These are sad times we are living in .

[@vickiroman189]

This happened to a neighbor in Denver. Police slid in a patrol car through her fence years ago. They left a card with a note on the back giving her a phone number to call for repairs. That was over 10 years ago. Huge runaround - no repair.

[@Letyourcolorsblendwithmine]

Imagine making your living by making life as miserable as humanly possible for as many as possible and being baffled when everyone hates you.

[@GraphicJ]

ACCOUNTABILITY.... this is what we need from out Public Officials! All of them, from the top to the bottom!

[@keithweiss7899]

Qualified Immunity must go! This is happening all over the US.

[@billw219]

I agree with your statement about QI but it has nothing to do with this.

[@mervunit]

that would just make it so you could sue the individual police for compensation. The city is just ducking their responsibility of paying these people for damages.

[@java4653]

The stop voting Republican. Stossell the conservative help fuel this for decades. He doesn't actually care about you buddy.

[@304Kid]

I would also argue that police are extremely over armed as well.

[@who346]

Or we take and make our own Restitution.....

[@dorianward4909]

Abolish qualified immunity for all government employees. They should carry personal liability insurance so taxpayers don’t pay for their crime. The Federal Government needs to be slashed back to the very few powers enumerated in the Constitution. All that usurped power goes back to the States to decide to keep or discard. The U.S. government is supposed to be for us and by us. Today’s U.S. government is against us in so many ways.

[@alansloan7784]

What was supposed to be a republic has decayed into an empire....the empire's days are numbered: when it implodes, the survivors (if any) will hopefully not repeat the same wrong choices when building a new republic.

[@anarchisttutor7423]

You should look up anarchocapitalism/voluntaryism. Insurance is often cited as a way of addressing problems consensually.

[@Mcfunface]

​@@anarchisttutor7423Forcing the purchase on insurance however is also unconstitutional, as is the coercement of any purchase. Doesn't stop lawmakers from pushing it though.

[@anarchisttutor7423]

Did you mean to reply to @dorianward4909? @@Mcfunface

[@Tylerd838]

that’s dumb

[@beng4151]

People keep clamoring for MORE and MORE government in their lives and this is what happens. Government needs to be reduced by at least 80%, pure and simple. For sure the federal government.

[@markgluodenis5807]

Great reporting. This is just another example of city bureaucrats who don't understand that they work for the law abiding public and not the other way around. People pay taxes to be protected, not to have their lives and property destroyed in the process of that protection. This is clearly abuse of power and a blatant refusal to be accountable. Despicable and shameful.

[@duaneegan1230]

The solution is finding a way the politicians can launder $$ when paying a claim to a victim of police destroying property.

[@sholmesbrown]

LoL 100%

[@iloveschicken6527]

They did this to me years ago! They busted in my house instead of the dopeheads next door! Their informant gave the correct address but they got mine instead! I was in the tub, my kids and babysitter was in the livingroom. They busted down my door, knocked my daughter down in her walker. They still proceeded to dump out all of my boxed food, ripped my mattresses and tore panneling off my walls! When they found nothing, they took my electronics apart! Once they found out they were wrong, they apologized and put my door back on 2 days later! Thats it! 1991 Lawton Oklahoma! 1602 sw G ave! Made Channel 7 news! Period!

[@tonyabsoluteam3456]

I would have filed a police report for burglary! breaking and entering at the very least, and maybe even add in some home invasion! the sad part is many times people lose their lives over it 100 % unjustly

[@iloveschicken6527]

@@tonyabsoluteam3456 a lawyer.. Patrick Sullivan .. called me when he saw the news. He offered to sue them on a contingency basis.. I agreed.. BUT.. I was literally harassed on a daily basis by the cops once that suit was filed! The cops followed me everywhere and stopped me for no reason many times until I dropped the case! Not worth it! I moved!

[@dergunter1237]

yeah right, cause the cops will enforce the laws against cops @@tonyabsoluteam3456

[@SlackersIndustry]

This came to mind. “It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.” Thomas sowell

[@frankmueller25]

Yet the SWAT training cost for a year is probably several times the cost they did to that business. Thanks John for bring this injustice to light.

[@ronmsimmons]

Thanks for posting. I donated a bit but wish they didn't use gofundme. There are bad dudes-remember what they did for the Canadian truckers?

[@johnmeckel2319]

I Never Have, and Never Will Use Go Fund Me! They made it perfectly clear, they are a Greedy, Marxist Organization!

[@kaptainwarp]

Never forget it!

[@kellydrover1994]

Maybe if this happened to the people responsible for the damage, they would want compensation as well?

[@jbkibs]

if one person can do it, legally. then everyone can do it legally.

[@rispatha]

If this happened to a cops home you sure as hell know it would be rebuilt in full and then some.

[@billycox475]

​@@rispathaor the judge's home

[@clayton7825]

They all know each other and won't go against their own.

[@MrJoshcc600]

Oh you can bet that repair would be approved just as fast as approving their own pay raise

[@jmw3373]

That’s absolutely ridiculous!

[@guyprattii3115]

People need to be compensated, but it annoys me when people say the the government needs to pay. The government has no money. They only have what they take from the tax payer. So it’s us that are paying.

[@phillmccracken4219]

What public good is destroying an innocent persons home?

[@WSKRBSCT]

The public good is the apprehension of a public menace. The problem is that the destruction of property is at odds with that concept. The person who is damaged rightly should be indemnified. So, the problem is with department policy and public officials. A big problem is that by doing things (ie, not indemnifying the store owner) as in this story, there is a severe risk of moral and morale hazard since it really makes no difference to the police force what means they use and how far they go to apprehend said individual.

[@stevenscott2136]

It also encourages more crime, and more hostility toward police. Everything they do that contributes to their image as a hostile occupying army, pushes people a little more toward TREATING them like occupiers, and toward having less respect for any kind of law.

[@dergunter1237]

he didnt pay his protection money to the cops so they destroyed his life.

[@SchecterMongoose]

I remember about 8 years ago a Buffalo NY city snow plow went through the side of a small building and basically told the business owner "were not liable". City said because it was during a blizzard that they can't reimburse the owner. That's how your taxes are used to screw you.

[@digitalfootballer9032]

I know it's a very small thing, but the plow trucks obliterate people's mailboxes all the time and you are just stuck taking care of the damage, replacement, and any costs associated with it.

[@codylarkhart261]

Let me guess, They called in a State of emergency to override laws with executive power.

[@stormy3307]

SO INSANE. My blood pressure was elevated this whole video.

[@80PercentAshamedOfU]

I was shocked to find out most leases and insurance policies have basically “If the government destroys this house, it’s not our problem” clauses. And I find it especially irritating when people are like “Well don’t be a criminal.” THERE ARE MANY INSTANCES OF POLICE KICKING IN THE WRONG DOOR. They need to be accountable for those costly and sometimes deadly mistakes! Also, insurance companies are absolutely disgusting.

[@mariawinter2535]

"THERE SHOULD BE A LAW AGAINST THAT!" I remember citizens used to say that allot. Accountability, isn't even a thing anymore, especially not in Gov.

[@Semper_Iratus]

Hold those responsible, accountable.

[@Winterstick549]

Im so glad this lawyer for The Institute fir Justice took his case for free.

[@nasis18]

Keep up the good work John.

[@retrofraction]

Sounds like they need to make this a federal court issue instead of a state/city issue. But isn’t it interesting they both happened in a certain state that voted certain ways?

[@Julia-en9xq]

Exactly.. I work for a Police Department, and in the years I have been there, a few times property has been damaged due to police response, and our town paid for the repairs…I live in a blue state, but in a red county.

[@strayedarticle2838]

Which gang of lawyers should we vote for then?

[@dergunter1237]

I call bs. Was that before or after the guy paid protection money to your gang ?@@Julia-en9xq

[@rkba4923]

The winning issue here is not QI, it's unlawful taking without Due Process and just compensation.

[@rispatha]

That is the basis upon which the Institute For Justice is making the claims. In the process they should challenge the validity of "Qualified Immunity" since there are no laws on the books from the Federal, State or local levels of government. The SCOTUS just created the Doctrine Of Qualified Immunity and it is treated as if it were law.

[@gerardjohnson2106]

Exactly.

[@joshhigdon4951]

That's the root of qualified immunity

[@who346]

didnt we fight a war of independence over taxation with no representation?

[@rispatha]

@@who346 ... It was a lot more than just that such as the British attempting to remove all guns from the colonists.

[@davidnorwood5685]

Paying for the damage is not enough. For the denial of justice, someone needs to go to jail.

[@Cheray_]

This is ridiculous! Shame on them for not paying for their damage!!

[@billw219]

The police are professional liars, thugs. Anything they can get away with, they'll do. They have no shame.

[@dergunter1237]

they would only pay with your tax dollars anyway.

[@towns316]

You break it you buy it

[@LuciferTJ]

The worst part is, even if "the city" pays for the damages, the city is actually the taxpayers.

[@justaguy328]

Wow, that would make me absolutely sick if I had to go through what Mr Pena is going through. That is a grave injustice!

[@leemehan]

Violation in one of the biggest ways possible

[@rebeccamay3076]

Institute for justice took my case of code enforcement stealing all my solar panels, breaking my water pipes and destroying my property. They billed me 18 thousand for destroying my property. They wanted to put a line on my 5 acres to steal for a pot farm. Their lawyer bragged he simply paid off Institute for justice and sure enough they dropped me flat. Money talks.

[@Here2shtpst]

So what I'm hearing is if cops are interested in your house, defend it at all costs?

[@brotherloveakarhythmicsola2943]

Mr Stossel, so happy to see you doing quality journalism , so much so that I have subscribed to your station, and I would like to know if there is any other veteran journalist like you, that are not handcuffed by the illegitimate media anymore, that I can also watch, and don't worry I will be faithful to your station

[@GaydolfShitler]

You're the best, John - eve since I was a kid, I admired your journalism.

[@iLikeCrabrangoons]

I’ve long wondered what happens when police raid or damage a home. Good to know that they’re liable for nothing unless you hammer them for it

[@alanrogs3990]

You could at least take one of them out before the others get you 🙊

[@deadlypandaghost]

What is really disguisting is when they even get the address wrong and still refuse to pay damages. Like imagine the above story if they did it to a bakery the perp didn't even go into. Or a random house unrelated to the crime.

[@chuckecheese5251]

Fascinating I had no idea this was what happens post arrest

[@RavenRunFoxRoam]

Without government, who would wreck your personal property with impunity?

[@larryvance5107]

The hardest thing in life is to follow the rules, and the good people do. But we cater to the people that don't! That includes a lot of the people we elect. 😢

[@GaryR55]

Yep. Unfortunately, it isn't the best and the brightest who seek public office. More often than not, it's the opportunists and criminals.

[@larryvance5107]

So true!

[@georgewashington3012]

Good on you for helping this guy out. There are so many legal precedents in this country that are insane - squatters, child support proportionate to income (most of which doesn’t even get spent on the child), alimony, etc.

[@richbillbe5077]

I know how this guy feels. In 2016 I was assaulted by a local gang. Beaten and stabbed multiple times. Las Vegas police chose to blame the assault on me, Instead of actually doing their job and investigating properly.

[@gorilladisco9108]

That judge needs to learn US Constitution.

[@user-mq4vo3mk1s]

You have to ask yourself if you supported these politicians, then you have to deal with the consequences

[@digitalfootballer9032]

True, but they are pretty much all this way, so what are the alternatives? It almost doesn't even matter who you support or vote for, they are almost all crooked.

[@rickyshultz2051]

The problem is , everyone has to deal with it .

[@rays7437]

Nobody I know supports them. They are in office only because they cheated. "Elections" are not real.

[@user-mq4vo3mk1s]

@@digitalfootballer9032 Local LEOs have a contract that the local city government signs off. That contract can be reflected to address issues like this. Elections have consequences.

[@donm5354]

And people wonder why residents of DEMOCRAT run cities are fleeing counties and even States?Things like this happen routinely in such cities/counties and even states. Government should repair the damage then... the Criminals who trigger such damage should have wages garnished for LIFE if necessary (25%+) to repay the government.

[@troystpaul100]

Dude, this happens all over the country.

[@c.a.nationwide]

It is mostly blue cities. Havent ever seen anything like this happen in my hometown. But hard work labor camps is how you fix this issue.

[@AnAZPatriot]

​@@c.a.nationwide"Mostly" is small comfort to the individuals this happens to even in a red state like Texas where there is a similar Takings case that the Institute for Justice is currently pursuing against the State.

[@barbarashaffer8486]

repay the govt? are you kidding?! they take 700 bucks from me every week without question. they have PLENTY OF MONEY! they dont work! they dont need more of our money ffs, they need to get a job.

[@troystpaul100]

@@c.a.nationwide Google is your friend.

[@JamesHill-vs4kn]

We have a similar problem. We are sorry for your situation.

[@ajkendro3413]

The Institute for Justice won a Texas case based on imminent domain a few months ago at the appeals court level. If they lose here in California the case goes to the SCOTUS due to two different interpretations of the Constitution.

[@sheepishmclemmingston5550]

Here is yet another example of Government ineptitude. There is a woman who had this happen to her home in Texas I believe it was. She ACTUALLY won her case because her Legal Council went after the Police Dept and the City for a denial of Imminent Domain laws. This was covered on Steve Lehto's channel. Instead of the usual course of action which is suing the Dept and City due to damages caused during the course of actions pursued by the police during the coarse of fullfilling their official duties (in this case pursuing and arresting a fleeing and wanted criminal) and being granted a Qualified Immunity Judgment resulting in a denial of being found liable for reimbursement for damages they caused to this womans house, her Attorney (it might have been Institute for Justice but I am not positive) instead filed the suit under a Breach of Imminent Domain Law, having ascertained that the government had effectively "seized" her property WITHOUT compensation. The judgement in the case was found in favor of her suit and she was awarded the entire amount she was seeking in the suit. Qualified Immunity needs to be abolished and Governmental institutions and the employees manning them MUST be able to be held accountable for not only abuse by, but also in the case of just making mistakes. The people should not be made to suffer at the hands of government not only in the case of shear ignorance, but also because of misuse and/ or abuse by said government

[@rosc2022]

The bottom line of Justice is doing the right thing. Not often, the wrong thing is declared legal, but laws that are wrong need to be challenged and removed. Police do need to be able to do their jobs, and cities do need to back their cops by making things right for innocent citizens. You can making anything legal, so yes we're a nation of laws, but laws need to be proper.

[@olli_k]

When things like this happen, I wonder what would happen if a bad guy were to baracade himself in the home of an officer or a politician who has denied claims for compensation.

[@drrocketman7794]

This is evil. This is why people are saying "defund police" but what they really want is for them to be held accountable for their actions.

[@tomreidy1237]

God bless you John

[@rolandwoltman7835]

I'm here from the government and I'm going to help... 4 million employees that leach off the public mostly... And those are the scariest words in our language.

[@cn7492]

The same people voted for those city officials.

[@briangoldy8784]

True.. specially in California.

[@gregb6469]

Did the elected officials campaign on a platform of giving the cops carte blanche to destroy private property?

[@rays7437]

No they didn't. "Elections" are not real. It's all lies, fraud, and fake.

[@jimsgardenproject3507]

Can’t you refuse to allow them into your property? If they can hire and allow them this power, the establishment should be responsible.

[@woods-garage]

I’m glad the Institute for Justice is helping that guy. I donated to them this year, because they pick up cases like this.

[@ROGER2095]

"You break it, you bought it." If that rule applies to me (in this land of equality), then it must apply to government.

[@joannleichliter4308]

Taking without compensation is most certainly unconstitutional.

[@marklavoine8502]

🎉the Constitution looks like wishful thinking,in A police state.

[@vang8438]

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff's SWAT team did this to our family rental house. They sent smoke grenads through a window and kicked in the door. They arrested the tenants and left the property. When we contacted the investigator, who made no bother to reach out to us, they gave a similar response to the video. Fortunately we were able to expense the damage done to lower our tax bill.

[@TheRealFollower]

The state would be a lot more careful if they had to pay.

[@dkeith45]

Dude should have hired a lawyer from the start.

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

With what? The Institute for Justice is doing this for free, because this guy can't pay for a lawyer. That's what corporations and governments hope for and why they get away with so much. Your average lawyer knows the odds are stacked against them and unless you have a lot of money to fund the case your average lawyer has no chance of winning in your life time. Because the other side will file motion after motion with their endless lawyers and loads of money to keep the case from getting to court for decades. This is why the Institute for Justice is so important. It pools the resources and knowledge of hundreds of lawyers together to confront these groups that have dozens if not hundreds of lawyers that work for them. It also is basically crowd funded, so can do things long term where as your average person cannot.

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

@@amandzzz He has a lawyer now. Yet they have not settled.

[@dkeith45]

You can consult with most lawyers for no charge. If the lawyer then thinks you have a case, many will work for you by the hour, some for a percentage of the final settlement. My mom was hurt at work in the late 70's and tried to do what this guy did and got nothing from the USPS, till she finally hired a lawyer and paid him an hourly rate. The USPS listened then and finally settled with her and she did very well. Got 7 years back pay plus other compensation. @@davidtherwhanger6795

[@davidtherwhanger6795]

@@amandzzz The idea that if he hired any lawyer that just sent a letter at the start the government would have caved, but now that he has an entire organization of lawyers with a proven record of winning working for him the government won't cave doesn't make any sense.

[@LynyrdSkynyrd.4Ever]

​@@amandzzza lawyer would not have helped in this case. The problem is qualified immunity by the government - they NEVER have to pay for their damages

[@cdaz55]

This is just wrong. This poor man and his wife should be compensated for the damage to his business.

[@PoppiesAndPride]

SICK

[@Daniel-lk3sy]

If that's the case what that judge said it should happen to his house and him not get compensated see how he feels if his judgment was good!

[@chrisrogers5974]

I always wondered what happens during police chases when you see property (houses, cars, etc) damaged, now I know. If your insurance won’t cover it (and it sounds like they try to deny those claims) then you are stuck with loss.