Run in with Security Guards (no motorcycle content)

[LonestaRR]

I was working in downtown Dallas this week and had "run ins" with security guards four times in 1.5 days! All I was doing was taking pictures of architecture and street scenes. What is the deal with that? Three of the four times I was in public areas (sidewalks, streets, downtown park areas etc). One time I was outside of a large building near a fountain shooting AWAY from the premise and was thrown off the property. Since when did it become "illegal" to take photos in downtown areas?

I also had a construction supervisor ask me to leave and not take pictures even though I was well outside the construction area. I'm just wondering if anyone else has encountered these types of limitations?

Eventually, out of frustration I found a way to get to the top of a couple of parking garages and either lean over the edges or scale the retaining walls to sit on the ledges to get some last shots I was wanting. Where there is a will (or paycheck) there is a way.

So what's the deal with taking photos downtown now? Is this just peculiar to Dallas? I wasn't taking photos of people unless I had their permission. I didn't even attempt or even ask to take pics of children. I wasn't taking pics of any known sensitive areas. So what's the deal?

I walked away with over 400 pics - now they are off to the graphics people to do their thing. Here's a couple from the top of parking garages. (purposefully leaving out pics of the construction site and any of the other sites where I was asked to leave)

[DJ Downunder]

Kristi..you're gunna have to stop wearing that 'I love Bin Laden' T shirt in public...

They're great city shots...post more if you like...and don't worry about those security gaurds..they're only doing their job.

DJ

[sjbmw]

I work in Philadelphia, and people standing using cameras are looked at closely near federal buildings. Has something to do with the pre-911 scouting the terrorists made public.

DJ, you crack me up.

[TonyT607]

I work in Philadelphia, and people standing using cameras are looked at closely near federal buildings. Has something to do with the pre-911 scouting the terrorists made public.

DJ, you crack me up.

Same here re: NYC. There are "No Photography" signs around important buildings and major landmarks. NYPD and Federal Protective Service have zero sense of humor when it comes to this stuff.

[Doug]

Dj, oh man, too funny.

Kristi, nice shots!

[OneShot]

Just this past weekend I was stopped by the local police for taking a picture of a vintage county courthouse. This thing last saw its glory days in the 19th century, and I still got stopped by Johnny Law. It was one of those things where the town has literally 1500 people, everyone knows everyone, and nobody knew me. After a cordial talk with the officer, he asked to see my ID, took down my information, and sent me on my merry way. Worst part is that I still didn't find the historical marker I was looking for.

Cheers!

[Harry]

This is a shame. "Land of the free" ???

But it can't actually be against the law to take photos.......???

Do the police just find something else to potentially charge you with like loitering...?

*Sigh* Another fine mess you've gotten us into, Bin Laden *hmph*

[LonestaRR]

DJ:

That's funny. BUT: I wasn't wearing the Bin Laden shirt that day. I was wearing the Kim Jong IL shirt you sent to me.




I took this picture in Dallas as well. My driver pulled over on a side street so I could get some shots at a different construction site and when I got out of the car I saw this sign. Apparently photography isn't the only thing being limited in Dallas!:roll:

[NoRRmad]

Yeah. In New York City you can't photograph on the grounds of any Port Authority property, which includes all bridges and tunnels. There was recently enacted a law that you couldn't take photos in the Subway, but that was quickly retracted. I was stopped after photographing at a public softball field on Randalls Island -- because the foundations of the Triborough Bridge are nearby.

I guess we think that if the terrorists can't get a "before" shot, they're not interested.

[MikeCam]

This is about as off-topic as you can get...I like it.

New laws passed and enforced as well as much paranoia and barn door shutting going on.

Keep your sense of humor. When a security guard or a supervisor of unknown authority says do something...be polite, be confident, and state:

"Call a cop."

Be firm. They have little authority except on their own private property. Even then, if it is a public accomodation, then they cannot claim trespass. And photography is not a restrictable event by private citizens against other private citizens. That's why paparazzi exist.

When the cop gets there, show ID, be firm and polite and state:

"Call your supervisor/sergeant/lieutenant."

Escalate the situation in your favor until they realize they don't have anything to enforce....

Or climb a wall and shoot from where they can't get you.

Bottom line, notwithstanding the Patriot Act, you can shoot pictures to your hearts content as long as it is not federally restricted property (nuclear sites, military posts, airports) and/or appropriately protected state/local property (the Constitution prohibits states from passing such restrictive legislation but the Patriot Act encourages it). Unless you wish to be the Supreme Court's test case (and probably lose) don't force that issue.

Best of luck. Keep those super shots coming our way.

Bad Mike

[Boxer]

I think I would just pull out the cell and dial 911. When the guy asks you what you're doing, tell him you're calling the cops because he's harassing you on public property. It's always the person makes the call who gets to be the plaintiff.

[12bar1]

I just read a story in this months Popular Photography about this very subject. The bottom line is if you are on public land you can take pictures but not many of the rent-a cops and many local law enforcement officers really know what the law says so they do what they "think" is right. This is one of those times when you have to pick your battles carefully or be sneaky.

[rph802]

I think I would just pull out the cell and dial 911. When the guy asks you what you're doing, tell him you're calling the cops because he's harassing you on public property. It's always the person makes the call who gets to be the plaintiff.

Love the idea but how bout call 411 for the number of the nearest precinct instead?? I'd bet you'd still get the "where did that load in my shorts come from??" look and not tie up an emergency line...

Kristi, do you have a ID card saying your a photographer from your employer or a union card or are you a freelancer?? Might be a simple way to back em off by being able to prove you're a professional (I'm assuming that from the look and QUANTITY of the pics you posted) picture taker person.

There were some similar issues in my area with a local nuclear power plant that is located close to the Connecticut River where many people go to take scenic shots esp in the fall. Obviously security is pretty tight there for blatant reasons but also there is a fair amount of protest surrinding that 30+ year old plant.

[beemerphile]

*Sigh* Another fine mess you've gotten us into, Bin Laden *hmph*[/b]

Bin Laden didn't do this to us, we did it to ourselves. If we choose to overreact and live the rest of our lives out like scared sissies because something else might happen, then we got what we paid for.

"Make me safe Mr. Bushy. Ahm Skeered dat oh muslim boogeyman gon git me."

You can't take pictures, but you can bet that there are pictures being taken of you.

One nation under surveillance

[LonestaRR]

Beemerphile wrote

You can't take pictures, but you can bet that there are pictures being taken of you.

I got my pictures. They didn't stop me, they just delayed me.

[Airman]

Kristi..you're gunna have to stop wearing that 'I love Bin Laden' T shirt in public...

They're great city shots...post more if you like...and don't worry about those security gaurds..they're only doing their job.

DJ

DJ, remember when they ran Kristi out of the church yard ? These people are attracted to her. She's a magnet for angry security people evidently.

I don't know what's up with the towntown building owners. You can shoot pictures of airports from every possible angle and no one cares.

[ErikU]

Some very important documents on the subject:

ThisPhotographersRights.pdf

http://wiki.photoblogs.org/wiki/Photographer's_Rights

(you will have to cut and paste the second link)
edit - the apostrophe in "Photographer's" is whats buggering it up..bad HTML etiquette! - Mark C. - moderator

[Boxer]

Erik, for some reason your second link didn't quite get completely activated. I had to just type in the rest of the line in my browser for it to work...but it does work.

Thanks for this info. Very helpful. I think what Kristi experineced is just one more case of paranoia in the exteme, following on the heels of, and disguised as, "Homeland Security".

[JCsman]

I think what Kristi experineced is just one more case of paranoia in the exteme, following on the heels of, and disguised as, "Homeland Security".

And what do you want to bet you can "Google" up pics (and more vital -security wise - info) on each of these sites in a heart beat.

Somehow I don't think rent-a-cops hassling LonestaRR are going to stop the next try at 9-11.

[LonestaRR]

Erik:

Thank you very much for this information. I'll run a copy of it, highlight the appropriate lines, and keep it with my gear. WooHoo.......this is gunna be fun!!!

I always carry an "official" document stating the law regarding carry on luggage when carrying one of my musical instruments that will fit in overhead or in the front of the plane as well. There have been a few airline agents who expect people to "check" musical instruments and send them into the cargo hold just because they don't fit in the little sizing box. Once they see the document they let me pass.

I am hoping this info you supplied will have the same impact on the security guards and "non-authorities" that keep disturbing me. Wait a minute, I think I'm suppose to use the word "hassle" or "intimidate" or even "threaten" when I describe their criminal behavior.