Dear WeHo: Don’t Take the Bait — A Warning About “First Amendment Auditors”

ALOHA WEHO: Don’t Take the Bait—A Warning About “First Amendment Auditors”

To the Residents of West Hollywood,

We pride ourselves on being a vibrant, expressive, and welcoming community. However, a recent social media trend has arrived on our sidewalks that requires a calm and collective response: First Amendment Auditors.

Lately, these individuals have been spotted stationed on public sidewalks in front of local stores—so far Gelson’s and the Trader Joe’s at Westmount. They carry cameras and wait—not for a news story, but for a confrontation to post online for clicks and likes.

It is important for all WeHo residents to understand the “playbook” these individuals use so we can protect ourselves and our community’s peace of mind:

• The Goal is Conflict: They aren’t just filming architecture; they are looking for “content.” They want residents to get angry, demand they stop filming, or attempt to block their lenses. This friction is what they upload to the internet for the world’s entertainment.
• The Legal Trap: These individuals are well aware of the law. As long as they remain on public property (like the sidewalk), they are legally allowed to record anything their cameras can see. They are also hoping you will physically engage or touch them so they can claim assault and potentially involve law enforcement or pursue civil litigation.
• The Digital Aftermath: If you engage with them, whatever transpires will be uploaded to many social media platforms, often edited to make the resident look like the aggressor.

How to Respond

The best defense is a lack of an audience. Do not take the bait. If you see them:

• Ignore them entirely. Walk past as if they aren’t there; do not give them content.
• Do not engage in debate. You will not convince them to leave by arguing, and you will only provide the “show” they are looking for.
• Keep your hands to yourself. Physical contact is exactly what they want to trigger a legal or police response.

West Hollywood is a place for creativity and expression, but we don’t have to be unwilling actors in someone else’s provocative social media stunt. Let’s keep our cool, stay informed, and simply walk on by.

These are the two (photo above) that were seen at Gelson’s. I later encountered the one on the right at Trader Joe’s.

Edd Holman
Neighborhood Watch Block Co-Captain, Gelson Heights
EddHolman@gmail.com