Police say a man who has live-streamed himself verbally harassing women in Los Angeles County’s South Bay area cannot be arrested – because he hasn’t committed a crime.
The man, who KTLA is not identifying, posted several videos on Instagram of him approaching women and making lewd sexual comments.
A viewer who only wanted to be known as “Gregory” told KTLA that he witnessed the man on the Hermosa Beach Pier trying to get a reaction out of anyone he could.
“When they would react adversely, he would run away and exclaim, ‘ASSAULT!’ I had my family patronizing one of the local businesses and I had them wait inside until this man had moved on,” Gregory wrote.
After flagging down police, Gregory said an officer spoke with the man but said they couldn’t arrest him due to First Amendment rights.
Police elaborated on that issue at a news conference Thursday.
“The videos that this person was livestreaming included offensive and frankly disgusting content,” said Hermosa Beach Police Chief Paul LeBaron. “Many people have asked us why don’t we just arrest him for harassment. Well, the short answer is that most speech, and even the vulgar and disgusting speech that this guy was using, is protected by our Constitution.”
Police made contact with the live streamer on Wednesday and referred him for mental health evaluation.
Hermosa Beach police encourage anyone who believes they have been a victim of a crime to call them at 310-318-0360 or to go to the Police Department at 540 Pier Ave.
