Reassured Cops Dumping Beer

Getting to Peace Park pretty late today there were no skaters present, only locals doing their regular drinking until two police officers rolled up. They didn’t get out at first, but it didn’t take long before they were pouring out peoples open beers. That’s when I started doing my regular picture taking, which attracted their attention.

After the cops finished dumping everyone’s beer they walked over to me asking me what my problem was. I responded that I had no problem, but they continued to ask me the same question in a hostile manner. This continued for a couple minutes until one of them finally asked me why I was taken pictures of them, so I explained that I’m making a documentary on the park. They didn’t seem to believe me at first but after explaining my project to them, they realized I was for real. They then eased up and expressed their concerns to me about how I always take their pictures; and asked if I could understand why they didn’t like it. I said yes, I can understand their point of view, and then proceeded to reassure them that it’s not my intention to single out them or the police in general. In fact, the video will not single out any social group, organization, administration, or person. The documentary is simply going to help elucidate the situation at Peace Park to all groups involved to better understand their “locals”, and to find ways to address the needs of everyone who interacts with the park.

Seems like a lot of people expect the Peace Park documentary to be full of shit and piss, while pointing fingers. Let me reassure that I feel a great responsibility in representing Peace Park through this documentary not just to the skate community but to the world. My intentions are to portray an image of respect, integrity, and professionalism in hopes of making this world a better place.