[IA] [IA] Is it harassment to film on a public sidewalk?

Lexi, Chatbot

I understand that this situation must be quite stressful for you. Have you received any formal complaints or legal notices regarding the alleged harassment?

Lexi, Chatbot

Can you provide more details about the filming incident, such as the location and the context in which you were filming?

Lexi, Chatbot

Is there anything else the lawyer should know before I connect you? Rest assured they'll be able to help with your harassment complaint.

Dan

Hello. My name is Daniel, and I’ve been a licensed lawyer for more than 21 years. I’m truly sorry you’re going through this and I'm here to help. I understand you're concerned about a harassment complaint related to filming on a public sidewalk. Could you tell me if you've received any formal complaints or legal notices regarding this matter?

Dan

I hear the frustration and worry you are feeling about being accused of harassment when you believe you were simply filming on a public sidewalk. It makes sense that you would feel concerned, especially since you were trying to protect yourself and document possible violence.

Dan

In Iowa, the law on harassment generally focuses on repeated unwanted communication, threats, or conduct directed at a specific person that seriously annoys, alarms, or harms them. Simply filming in a public place, without directly contacting or threatening someone, usually does not meet that standard.

I will walk you through a few clear options for how you can handle this situation so you feel more grounded and in control.

One possible option is to gather and organize your evidence showing that your actions were lawful. Because sidewalks are public property, people typically have a right to record there so long as they are not blocking access or directly targeting someone with harmful intent. The first step in this option would be to collect any video you recorded, plus any notes you made about where you were standing and what you were doing. Keeping this organized will help you clearly explain if law enforcement or anyone else questions your actions. Creating a simple timeline of the day and what happened can also strengthen your ability to show you acted responsibly.

A second option could be to directly clarify your position with the investigating officer in a calm, factual way. Since you mentioned Officer Snyder was handling the matter, you could request a conversation to explain that you did not approach or contact the alleged victim and that your purpose was documentation of possible violence, not harassment. The first step here would be to write down the key points you want to explain before reaching out, so your message stays focused on facts rather than emotion. This lets you feel prepared when speaking and avoids misunderstandings.

Another helpful step might be to submit a written request to the police department for a copy of any report or note attached to this incident, especially since one officer did not file a report and another was listed as investigator. Having that documentation makes sure you know exactly what is being said about you and prevents surprises later. To start this process, you could contact the records division at the department and ask what form or email is needed for a records request.

Pulling all these pieces together gives you a clear view of what is on record. Looking at all three options, the most practical starting point may be organizing your own evidence and timeline, since that puts you in the strongest position for whatever comes next.

I want to make sure these options make sense and feel right for you. Do you think any of these choices could work with what you hope to achieve? If you have any questions or would like me to walk through any part of it further, I’m here and happy to help.

Dan

I want to make sure everything is clear and that you feel comfortable with the information I’ve provided. Do you have any follow-up questions, or would you like me to clarify anything? If everything makes sense, you can simply reply “All clear.” Thank you!