Footage captured in a city in California depicts the surprise of criminal suspects upon learning they will be taken to jail instead of just being given a citation, a practice that many residents and lawmakers believe encourages harmful behaviors and undermines public safety.
The Seal Beach Police Department compiled a video using bodycam recordings showing suspects requesting to receive citations instead of facing arrest for their suspected crimes.
“Welcome to Orange County,” one officer is heard saying off camera.
Seal Beach police bodycam footage (Seal Beach Police Department/@copsofsealbeach)
A woman is heard explaining that criminals get prosecuted in Orange County, “You’re in the wrong county to be in.”
In a video released in December, authorities in Seal Beach showcased the reaction of three individuals accused of shoplifting when they found out the consequences of their actions. The video displays them inside an Ulta Beauty store where they allegedly stole items amounting to $650.
The video shows the women entering a Kohl’s department store and allegedly stealing more merchandise, totaling nearly $1,000 in stolen goods.
Police bodycam footage then shows police officers chasing the women before catching and arresting them.
“It’s a felony?” one of the women asks the other in the back of the patrol car.
“B—h, new laws,” the partner responds. “Stealing is a felony, and this Orange County, b—h. They don’t play.”
