any good law enforcement stories?

[rpsawin]

It is my understanding thhat we are allowed to photograph anything from a public sidewalk/road/property. This includes someones front porch, or someone on their front porch, as due to the open nature of that space it is considered a less than private space. Not for tresspass obviously, but if one can see it from a public space that it is fair game. Heard this recently on NPR I believe, but can't remember the context/story to look it up. Anyone know the true legality of what we do??

The Homeland Security Department considers certain sensitive facilities to be critical to, well...homeland security. These facilities are rated by a tier designation. For example tier one facilities include military installations, nuclear facilities, oil refineries, dams and bridges. Even if these sites are visible from public property you can expect to be detained and questioned about your activities. These designations change from time-to-time and you just have to be aware that certain facilities are going to have a higher level of security and a higher level of response. You can log onto the HS site and see if they have current restrictions posted.

Be careful out there....

Bob

 

[Kim Coxon]

Two aviation stories. The first relates to Dave's comment. A friend in the villiage ia an aviation journalist (and just happens to be an ex policeman) told me some of the background behind the "Greek Planespotters". For those that are unaware, a bunch of British plane spotters went to Greece to carry out their hobby and take photographs and ended up in jail having been found guilty of spying. Apparently, when they were organising the trip, they were told from many sources that it was not advisable and that it was against greek law to take photographs of military installations without permission. Furthermore, they were strongly advised to contact the greek embassy before going to clear it. Their answer was that they would be on public property and therefore they did not need permission as it was within their human rights. Having got there, there were officially warned that they were breaking the law and would arrested and prosecuted if they continued. They still maintained it was within their "rights". The courts took a different view. As Dave says, when in Rome......

The other is at the Airbase where I fly from. The is a secondary grass airfield near the domestic area where there is a gliding club which operates at weekends and when the main airfield is shut. They use a powered tug for some of the launches and this operates with a light fuel load to provide the maximum power for pulling the gliders up. The plane was coming in to land after it's last lauch with minmal fuel left. Somebody decided the best place to take a photo was right under the approach path just before landing. The pilot couldn't land safely because the guy had his car in the way so went around. He tried another approach to one side. No way, this would have spoilt the photo so the guy moved under his path again. By this time the pilot was very short of fuel and had to make a third approach. By now the military police had arrived and asked the guy to move and explained why. No way, they were interfering with his liberties and he was entitled to take a photo. They blocked his car amongst much verbal abuse so the pilot could land. They then went to restrain the pilot who wanted words with the person who had endangered his life.

Kim

It depends on local restrictions. Texas for one has some very strange laws. Not being able to shoot from a public highway is one.
When in Rome, one should know the Rome laws.

 

[markinlondon]

There are many words for people like those in your stories, Kim, none of which I can use here . I remember being highly amused by the "Greek Planespotters" at the time.

 

[rpsawin]

Kim/Mark,

I agree with you and the type of stupidity outlined above has nothing to do with civil liberties or human rights. Especially when your actions put others life at risk...inexcusable.

BTW...sounds like the military police saved the life of the photog by keeping the pilot from "expressing" himself.

Bob