Season 4, Week 8, of the A&E Hit

Here’s what you missed on Live PD this weekend.

Live PD is the ratings-winning, three-hour law enforcement ride-along show that ordinarily airs fresh episodes on Friday and Saturday evenings (with occasional bonus episodes on other nights) starting at 9 p.m. Eastern time on the A&E television network. 

Live PD producers and videographers embed in real time with officers on patrol from eight different U.S. police departments and sheriff’s offices.

Live PD is expanding to 12 departments at least for four weeks. Plus, the ongoing Richland County, S.C. coverage includes two fan favorites: ex-Deputies Chris Mastrianni and Keven Lawrence, since promoted to investigators, appeared on the Friday night show.

New departments are the Berkeley County, S.C., Sheriff’s Office, the Bradford County, Fla. Sheriff’s Office, and Terre Haute, Ind. PD. Mission, Texas, PD returns to the show after a hiatus.

Given its often intense action, unpredictability, danger, plus quirky and humorous, and sometimes mundane, interactions between cops and citizens, Live PD is perhaps the closest thing that even approaches appointment TV anymore in the fragmented entertainment space. (Live PD has also spawned several spin-offs.)

A Live PD recap follows below. 

Live Plus Previously Recorded Incidents

With 32 live feeds (and now about 50) coming into the studio, most segments are broadcast on a reported five- to 20-minute tape delay. When nothing of interest is happening in real time, pretaped segments air, which Live PD describes as incidents that happened “earlier.”

For viewers, Live PD is addicting, which perhaps is an unfortunate choice of words in this context. While millions of Americans experiment — and more than experiment — with drugs when younger, Live PD reveals a self-destructive cohort hooked on narcotics (and/or booze) well into middle age and beyond.

Many thanks to Twitter users TG LivePD (@TLivepd), @LivePDFans, and @LivePDPundit along with several other Twitter feeds for the embedded clips and images.

As the Live PD disclaimer indicates, not all outcomes are known or final, and criminal charges, if any, may have been reduced, dismissed, or never filed.

When alleged criminal activities are depicted on Live PD, all persons are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.

Controlled Control Room Chaos

Don Cesareo, the founder and president of Live PD producer Big Fish Entertainment, told Deadline Hollywood that “Live PD is one of most enjoyable shows to produce because it’s such a challenge. We do a lot of prep work in terms of the field, but really what happens is that you show up on a Friday night and settle into the control room and all of the camera feeds come up and the show starts and we don’t have a run down and have three hours of TV to create. The easiest way to describe it is like having eight live breaking stories at the exact same time, but you don’t know all of the details. There’s an energy and controlled chaos that works.”

According to Cesareo, “The show originated after he and his team came across police departments that were live tweeting patrols.” 

Rules or No Rules of the Road?

Many subjects who appear on the show in law enforcement interactions are covered with tattoos (as are the cops more often than not), love cigarettes, and often have warrants.

They often carry contraband on their person and/or in their vehicles, the latter which are often unregistered and/or uninsured.

Transporting contraband such as controlled substances plus no valid license/registration is usually an ill-advised combination as is contraband plus vehicle equipment malfunctions.

Alleged drug traffickers who fail to abide by routine traffic laws or, as noted, lack working vehicle running lights or other related equipment, can also wind up in big trouble following a probable cause search.

Two Beers, Not My Pants, and Other Mantras

“I only had two beers” is a familiar mantra from motorists pulled over upon being asked by cops if they had anything to drink that evening.

Another mantra is “not that I know of” when cops question a subject as to whether there might be illegal drugs in a vehicle or even on their person. In the alternative, subjects also often claim that drugs “belong to a friend.”

From time to time, they also claim that the pants that they are wearing in which cops find drugs belong to a friend.

Separately on the subject of wardrobe, males who appear on Live PD often don’t take the time to put on a shirt even when a cop shows up at their front door.

“Not my jacket” or “not my purse” are also familiar refrains. Sometimes “not my car” also is part of the cop-citizen dialogue.

In addition to the drug epidemic across across the country as well as alcoholism, the obesity epidemic is also frequently on display.

When a subject begins a sentence with “I’m going to be honest with you, officer,” or the equivalent, you can generally expect that things will quickly go sideways.

Some mouthy subjects argue themselves into an arrest (i.e., talking themselves into handcuffs) even when cops are about to let them go with minor infractions, citations, or just a warning.

Some suspects seem more concerned about smoking one last cigarette before jail than they are about going to jail.

Several of the cops, many of whom are impressively observant when they question subjects or investigate crime scenes, have become social media celebrities as a result of their participation in Live PD. Some of them may have a career in media or politics after they retire.

As an aside, officers across the country have a tendency to ungrammatically add the preposition “at” to the end of a sentence. I.e.: “Where do you live at?” or “Where is he/she at?” Cops often address subjects as “bro,” “dude,” “bud,” “man,” “partner,” or “boss.” And instead asking subjects where they live, officers ask them where they “stay.”

Expect the Unexpected

Traffic stops — the primary but not the only enforcement actions seen on Live PD — are often like a flea market. Viewers never know what the officers might find inside a vehicles after either a consensual search or a probable cause search pursuant to a K9 alert or for another legal justification.

Apart from drugs and weapons, among the weird items they often find include bottles of presumably clean urine used to circumvent a drug test. Sex toys also show up from time to time.

Moreover, as suggested above, no license, no registration, and no insurance consists of a trifecta in many of those stops. (A disproportionate number of pick-up trucks seem to have issues when stopped by law enforcement officers).

For law-abiding motorists sharing the road, the recurrence of non-insurance scenarios has to be disturbing.

Mismatched plates, expired (and/or doctored) temporary tags, and the like are also frequent infractions.

In addition to a cigarette fixation, you’ll also note that subjects are typically clutching and/or using their phones at all times no matter what, even officers are trying to talk with them or or even when getting cuffed.

Excessively tinted windows beyond what is legally allowed increasingly constitute a safety issue for officers in traffic stops.

Driver’s License Optional

Somehow in America, a valid driver’s license became an optional credential for many motorists. Driving with impunity while suspended has become a thing.

Motorists sometimes claim to have a valid driver’s license, but for some inexplicable reason, they aren’t carrying it with them. Or it was stolen. Is it any wonder that the cops often ask the person behind the wheel if he or she has a drivers license on them?

Occasionally drivers will say that they have a picture of their license, registration, or other required documents on their phone rather than in their physical form.

Officers often give break to those who are driving illegally, however. Sometimes cops will allow the motorist to drive directly home or call another licensed driver to the scene to take over behind the wheel.

Judging by these traffic stops, driving while buzzed seems to be a growing, as it were, problem across the country. Weed laws vary significantly from state to state. Some jurisdictions have decriminalized possession of small amounts.

Some, but not all, of the subjects that police make contact with express excitement about being on Live PD (although occasionally they think they’re on Cops).

In switching quickly from sequence to sequence, and as you’ll see below, Live PD does not always provide an update of how cops resolved a particular encounter, if at all.

As alluded to above, K9s well trained in drug detecting and human tracking regularly assist cops in their investigations on Live PD. Note that because of changes in the laws of some states, K9s in certain jurisdictions no longer get weed-sniffing training.

This Weekend on Live PD

If you’re wondering what happened on Live PD this past week, a recap/summary of Friday, and Saturday night’s Live PD editions follows.

Tulsa PD Officer Darrell Ross, substituting for his Tulsa colleague Sgt, Sean “Sticks” Larkin, joins host Dan Abrams — he of the puns and the double entendres — and regular studio analysts Tom Morris, Jr., to provide commentary.

Again, please understand that what is depicted on the show, and summarized below, including but not limited to any arrests, constitute mere allegations. Initial assessments made by cops or Live PD may be incorrect.

Live PD, Season 4, Episode 18, November 15, 2019

Abrams: “This is something like the fifth pursuit we’ve had on the show tonight. What a night. I guess this is what happens when you’re in 12 departments live at once.”

  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputies respond to employee at TV station who was assaulted by intruder. Cops search area for suspect.
  • Jefferson County, Ala. — After a routine tag reader hit, deputies pull over a vehicle that was reported stolen. Driver says it’s his vehicle. Officer Ross: “There has to be proof of ownership for the vehicle to be reported stolen. So if he sells her the car, and gives her the title, signs it over and everything, it is now her car. If she doesn’t finish paying, him, he has to take her to court. Morris, Jr.: “He would have to go to civil court and try to recoup those funds or the vehicle back in court.” Abrams: “In theory, what she should have done is not given her the title yet. Cpl. Sunday: “That was a bit of confusion, but we got it straightened out with Besssemer PD. This guy sold a young lady the vehicle, and I guess she didn’t make all of her payment sin a timely fashion for him, so he took his vehicle back, and that wasn’t the correct way to do things. So he she got with Bessemer PD and a detective and did a report, and they listed it as stolen. So the vehicle is stolen. Yes, it is in his name, but he already sold the vehicle to somebody else. He should have went through other [channels] to get the vehicle back, and he chose not to, and took it into his own hands. So now he is where he is. He’s gong to the county jail, and we’re gonna put him in on a receiving stolen property and a $2500 bond so he can get out tonight, and then he’ll have to go to court to get all this settled.”
  • Missoula County, Mont. — Traffic stop after driver hit guard rail. He apparently passed portable breath test but is arrested for drug possession. DUI investigation will continue at hospital. Capt. Burt: “I’m just going to be straightforward with you. I have rarely had anybody fail field sobriety as badly as you did…I get what you’re saying that you don’t have good balance but based on what I’m seeing, there is an impairment going on…” Abrams: “Driving under the influence does not have to be alcohol as you see is the case here.”
  • Nye County, Nev. — Deputies back up animal control officer over dog vs. dog neighbor dispute. Graphic: “Dog eat dog world.” This appears to be a civil matter. Abrams: “This is exactly what civil courts are for. She can sue her neighbor.”
  • Jefferson County, Ala. (pretaped segment): “You’ve heard us say many times there’s no such thing as a routine traffic stop. Certainly was the case earlier in Jefferson County when a step for a seat belt infraction turned into one of the wildest pursuits we’ve ever seen.” Morris, Jr.: “What is even crazier is that he led them on this chase to his crib where his license plates come back to–his address.” Ross: “Home base doesn’t work. Can’t touch home and say ‘I’m safe.'”
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers detain two alleged shoplifters in store parking lot.
  • Bradford County, Fla. — Deputies respond to father-daughter domestic dispute. Deputies stand by while she removes her belongings from home. Abrams: “In the end, this is a civil matter. And as you heard, she is allowed to say in that house if she wants to. You have to formally evict her…that’s not a good family dynamic going on there.”
  • Terre Haute, Ind. — Traffic stop. Officers allegedly detect marijuana odor on driver. Apparently portable breath test came in at or below the legal limit. Driver said he only drank one beer. Officers issue ticket for weed and paraphernalia. Car towed.
  • Tallahassee, Fla. — Officers respond to report that an uncle allegedly broke in to an apartment and won’t leave.
  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Traffic stop. Guns found, but weapons are legal.
  • Missoula County, Mont. — Capt. Burt makes contact with man who claims that his car ran out of gas. Story doesn’t seem to add up to Burt. Burt takes man into custody when it appeared he might have gotten ready to run. Burt and other deputies arrest man for alleged involvement in a stolen vehicle and a burglary.
  • Terre Haute, Ind. — Officers make contact with driver whose disabled vehicle is being pushed by another car. Both motorists advised to call for a two. Officer Johnson helps push vehicle into parking spot in lot.
  • Missoula County, Mont. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “A woman was drunk, undressed, and seemed be be having a ‘devil’ of a time, literally.”
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers pursue fleeing vehicle that allegedly ran several red lights and didn’t pull over for a traffic stop. Driver arrested at gunpoint. Abrams: “This may be the second time tonight we have seen someone end up driving to their own home.” Morris, Jr.: “And usually it’s because they don’t want to be towed. You just committed a crime by fleeing but at least maybe your car will get to stay in your driveway when you go to jail.” Ross: “…if they left it on a city street after something that happened on the city street, it’s gonna get towed. If you pull up into your driveway, now it’s on private property, their private property.”
  • Bradford County, Fla. — Vehicle pursuit of car going 100 mph. Cops make traffic stop on car that may not be the vehicle. K9 alert. Probable cause search. Motorist released with no charges.
  • Tulsa, Okla. (pretaped segment): Abrams: “It was an encounter that we saw with [Officer Ross] that became emotional and personal.” Officer Ross: “[The Marine veteran] just wanted to talk to somebody. Just a few minutes of time to share his stories of what’ she been through, what he’s experienced and seeing. That’s all he really wanted. If I can give him a few minutes of an ear to listen, and someone to talk to and hear what he’s been through, maybe he won’t hide inside of a needle somewhere”
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Vehicle pursuit after motorist allegedly fled from traffic stop. Driver detained, but refuses to ID himself. Police will identify him at Hq.
  • Jefferson County, Ala. — Traffic stop. No ID. Car search. Drug paraphernalia allegedly found.
  • Wanted update plus new Wanted suspect — Driver of the red SUV that ran from police on during the Nov. 2 show (and same vehicle was found on the Nov. 8 broadcast) turned himself in.
  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Vehicle pursuit of car that fled from traffic stop. Vehicle stopped and drive detained at gunpoint.
  • Mission, Tex. — Driver who says he has leg issues won’t give yes or no answer as to whether he’s willing to do field sobriety test.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Officers respond to report that passenger initially won’t get out of Uber car. Driver tells cops that passenger was smoking something and exited car and headed to laundromat. Abrams: “Well, we know she’s not gonna be getting a five-star rider rating.”
  • Richland, S.C. — Deputies detain subject carrying gun. Another subject released.
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Cops arrest woman for allegedly committing assault at a theater. End of episode.

Live PD, Season 4, Episode 19, November 16, 2019

  • Richland County, S.C. — Deputy Campbell assists Lt. Brown in subduing a non-compliant motorist. Odor of weed allegedly coming from car. Lt. Brown thought his finger might be broken, but he is okay.
  • Nye County, Nev. — Traffic stop on ATV with no lights. Driver has no license, and ATV isn’t registered. Released with no charges.
  • Jefferson County, Ala. — Traffic stop; paper tag issue. Deputies allegedly detect odor of marijuana on driver. Cpl. Sunday: “Are you clenching soemthing in there, man?” Baggie of weed found in man’s pants. He is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.
  • Terre Haute, Ind. — Officers respond to small fire in front yard. Apparently a ordinance violation. Homeowner is asked to extinguish fire.
  • Missoula County, Mont. — Deputies respond to report that a loose pit bull bit a neighbor’s dog. Abrams: “Second night in a row we’ve seen an issue like that. Now this becomes a civil matter between this dog owner and the other one.”
  • Mission, Tex. — Officer Oliva spots bulldog (supposedly worth $6,500-$7,000) that was reported missing.
  • East Providence, R.I. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A man driving without headlights said he just had two drinks, and from there things pretty much went downhill.”
  • East Providence, R.I. — Traffic stop; no headlights. None of the occupants have a driver’s license. Graphic: “Let there be light.” Abrams: “Unclear if this is a language barrier or if there is an issue with how to operate a motor vehicle.” Insp. Sroka speaks to driver’s friend, who is a licensed driver, via cell phone who apparently is on the way to the scene to take over the driving duties.
  • Bradford County, Fla. — Deputies respond to alleged domestic disturbance between boyfriend and girlfriend.
  • Tallahassee, Fla. — Officers respond to report of trespassing outside hotel. Passenger in vehicle apparently has a warrant. Officers find a weapon during car search.
  • Terre Haute, Ind. — Officers question pedestrian. Loaded handgun found nearby next to garbage bin. Drugs alleged found on subject. He is arrested for possession.
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Traffic stop. Driver with seven city warrants taken into custody.
  • Bradford County, Fla. — Deputies respond to report of man allegedly threatening to kill ex-wife and another woman at residence. Deputies question the potential victims and suspect. Male taken into custody on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and child endangerment.
  • Tulsa, Okla. — Officers respond to report of counterfeit currency at pizza parlor. Two suspects detained. Officers find fake bills, a.k.a. funny money, in bathroom trash can along with drug paraphernalia. Abrams: “That is not the kind of dough you want to role with at a pizza joint.”
  • Berkeley County, S.C. — Traffic stop. No license. Deputies determine that the driver and passenger’s stories don’t match up. One subject begins resisting while he is being searched and is subdued by several officers.
  • Richland County, S.C. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “Two guys on a long road trip got pulled over and then things went a bit off the rails.”
  • Tallahassee, Fla. — Officer HIll spots woman lying the ground. Her companion calls Uber to take them both home while Hill stands by with them. Abrams: “That…Uber driver is gonna be very sorry in a couple of minutes when he arrives for that pickup.”
  • Nye County, Nev. — Traffic stop; speeding. Occupants say they are on the way to visit a friend which apparently is a euphemism for going to a brothel. Sgt. Fowles indicates that field sobriety test was borderline. Abrams: “Those open containers don’t help their cause.” Subjects released with no charges.
  • Wanted segment — Houston, Tex.
  • Missoula County, Mont. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “A woman pulled over for racing way over the speed limit was determined to have one last drag.” Driver is booked on several charges.
  • Lawrence, Ind. — Traffic stop; tag light out and erratic driving. No license. Officers previously spotted the man possibly or allegedly involved in a drug transaction. Abrams: “I remain astonished by how many people drive without a license.” No charges, but vehicle is towed.
  • Richland County, S.C. (pretaped segment) — Abrams: “Allegations of a bizarre love triangle involving a woman, a couple down the road, and a dangerous kitchen utensil.”
  • Mission, Tex. — Officer Oliva backs up Border Patrol in detaining some illegal immigrants.
  • East Providence, R.I. — Officers respond to possible holdup at Walgreens store. Two men detained. Officers search and clear premises for any other suspects. One of the men released; he was an innocent bystander who was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The other man remains in custody. Unclear if it was an actual robbery or something else.
  • Bradford County, Fla. — Deputies respond to report of fight between two women. One woman on the ground shays she fell out of car and there was no fight. Another woman is also on the ground. Abrams: “They call them fireballs for a reason, and this may be the evidence.” End of episode.