:( - chaz2b

That just sucks! So you are not allowed to play music at Venice Beach? - Jeff P. Henderson

Wait. You can be arrested for not having your ID on you? Even when not driving? Even when driving, it's a $10 fixit. - Mark Davidson from BuddyFeed

oi :( - Geoff Schultz {TF}

@Mark - not according to the law; that's why this is interesting to me. @Jeff - I'm not clear on it. I had a long (and extraordinarily confusing) conversation with Deputy Assface's partner, who was friendly (ahem, relatively speaking) but couldn't really explain to me what I had just witnessed. The nutshell - as I understand it at the moment - is that vendors and performers who are occupying one of the "spaces" on Ocean Front Walk are required to shut down at sunset. It was definitely after sunset. But there is no question in my mind this officer was the escalating and agitating factor in the exchange. I realize they have a rough job and need to be firm, but from what I saw this guy was a world-class asshole. Not to mention that his actions are legally questionable - at best. - Anthony Citrano

I thought it was ok to play Stairway to Heaven now...thanks for the heads-up. :-) - Rob Michael (Atmos Trio)

Next time grab your camera and start shooting photos of the incident, that ought to really rile up those overzealous cops! ;-) - Jeff P. Henderson

@Jeff - didn't have it (nor my ID!) ;) - Anthony Citrano

Wow, that's harsh. - Anne Bouey

Free Bird! - Andrew C (✓)

what's the problem with someone playing their guitar on the street? Sounds like this cop was an asshole. - Thomas Hawk

I can just see it now, "so what you in for?... Stairway to heaven". If the confrontation was based on a specific complaint I can see the need for the"informing" the offender of the law. To me it's just another reminder of the "police state" that we as Americans are living in. Another American incarcerated. Great. - Keith James Designs

I wonder what kind of identification is required to play guitar. Is there a busker license? - Dave Roth

@Thomas - I tried to elucidate above .. since he is a performer, and in one of the little blocks on OFW, using an amp, etc. - he is required to "shut down" at sunset. It was definitely after sunset. As I was passing by, he was starting up ‘Highway to Heaven’ and it was sounding quite sweet (and not very loud, BTW) and so a few of us had stopped/gathered around. The cop truck pulled up. Instead of - as Keith suggested - dealing with this guy with a modicum of courtesy and respect, the cop just began shouting and barking at the guy immediately upon getting out of the cruiser. Of course, the guitarist was a bit shocked by this and didn't react to it well (I wouldn't have, either.) The cop just kept escalating and yelling and making it worse. The guy never raised his voice, was mellow and reasonably respectful, and showed the officer a passport - or something that looked very much like one. The officer said that if he did not have "California ID, you're going to jail." The guy said he was sorry but that was the only ID he had. After a bit more shouting from the cop, the guy snapped a little and said "I don't have to answer to you, get your supervisor over here" and the cop immediately cuffed him. One of the guy's band members *calmly* and *politely* asked the arresting officer a question. He, too, was then arrested for "obstructing." It's sad/amazing to see some of these guys' total lack of personal skills. This is *not* community policing. - Anthony Citrano

Let's pick on someone who is relatively harmless instead of going after real criminals who actually might be dangerous. - Rene, Pro Button Pusher

And, it's a wonder that the police is complaining about the lack of respect ... I wonder why, with arresting photographers, jailing buskers, trapping drivers in road traps, tazing 15 year olds, etc ... - Rene, Pro Button Pusher

Wow. That is not the Venice Beach of 1993 that I remember. What world am I living in? Boo on the LAPD officer with the lack of interpersonal and music appreciation skills. :( - Mathew A. Koeneker

He had a valid passport? This story makes me sad. A ticket for breaking the entertainment curfew seems reasonable... Arrest does not. Unless of course he was a re-occuring offender and perhaps a criminal history. Perhaps the police knew something about his record that wasn't readily obvious? (Or so I am hoping.) - Mark Davidson from BuddyFeed

@Mark - w/r/t his history, he was arrested before any information about him had been gathered. They didn't know anything about the guy. - Anthony Citrano

I was afraid you were going to write that. :/ - Mark Davidson from BuddyFeed

How dare you anyone disobey law enforcement. They're here to tell us what to do, right? - Jason Nunnelley