Film crew robbed at gunpoint in downtown Oakland

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PKR

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Film crew robbed at gunpoint in downtown Oakland.. another one. Looks like SF Bay Area is easy pickins for camera thieves?

http://www.eastbaytimes.com/2017/07/19/film-crew-robbed-at-gunpoint-in-downtown-oakland/

More:
SFPD investigating rash of camera robberies in Golden Gate Park
http://abc7news.com/news/sfpd-investigating-stow-lake-camera-thefts/1972926/

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/2-Chinese-tourists-mugged-near-famed-section-of-9449234.php

Sure are a lot of these. I didn't post them all. I think NYC is safer for photographers? Maybe camera theft doesn't make the news in NYC, unless the Russians did it?

Gaffer Tape:
https://www.amazon.com/Pro-Gaffers-Widths-Variable-Lengths/dp/B004PX4ZBS
 
Mil spec 100mph tape!

On a more serious note this is getting ridiculous.

First we are accosted by the police, property owners, and Joe Public for carrying our cameras around. Now criminals are boldly assaulting us even to the point of killing. *** is wrong with people? To much fear? Nothing to fear but fear itself?

The past few months I have been waiting to read about some unlucky black body camera owner who takes a few slugs from a civilian or cop who 'thought it was a gun' aimed at him. It is something worth thinking about I believe.

I think I may start taping my camera. I already use a homemade strap and a bag made for duck hunting calls.
 
Contarama said:
Mil spec 100mph tape!

On a more serious note this is getting ridiculous.

First we are accosted by the police, property owners, and Joe Public for carrying our cameras around. Now criminals are boldly assaulting us even to the point of killing. *** is wrong with people? To much fear? Nothing to fear but fear itself?

The past few months I have been waiting to read about some unlucky black body camera owner who takes a few slugs from a civilian or cop who 'thought it was a gun' aimed at him. It is something worth thinking about I believe.

I think I may start taping my camera. I already use a homemade strap and a bag made for duck hunting calls.
Click to expand...

I like the duck call bag. My favorite camera bag was an old Mil bag. I miss that thing. Where do I find a duck call bag that looks like it isn't approved by Ducks Unlimited?
I'm serious!

I should add that San Francisco, like most tourist destination cities, isn't big on reporting crime against tourists as it effects city revenue. So, who knows how much of this type of crime never makes the news? I'll bet it's much higher than reported.

The gaffer tape I buy is about $35 a roll in 2". I use a lot of good quality duct tape too. It's just a few dollars a roll. I guess the cost conscience camera robber would use duct tape?
 
Taping up a camera doesn't make it any more theft-resistant. Keeping your head on a swivel and not getting complacent keeps you safe. If thieves want to steal your stuff, they're going to do it regardless, especially if they are armed or outnumber you.

I don't know why it is such taboo within photographic circles to talk about defending oneself. It's as if being a photographer precludes any desire of self-preservation and makes one all touchy-feeley and sensitive. Idiotic. Defend yourself however you can, by whatever means legally. I'm not condoning violence at all but the ladder of force must be met with an equal or greater means by which to protect oneself. Then again, it's better to be judged by twelve than carried by six, so you may take that approach if you live in an area that doesn't allow you to defend yourself. These threads about photographers getting mugged, robbed, whatnot are good for letting us know that these events are happening but what grows tiresome are the folks who say just give in and cower to any threat. Hell no. Granted, I have a history with combat, self defense and a bit of law enforcement experience but if I'm accosted by someone, that is going to be a bad life decision for the attacker, possibly to my own detriment. I know this though. I know when to back down but I also know when it's too late to escape the situation. Again, I'm not condoning violence. Stay alert. Back in the Navy we said "complacency kills" and it does. Now I have a condition which causes me to be hyper-vigilant constantly and I've learned to live with it these last twelve years. It's kept me safe and alive so far. Anxious but I'm safe. And I will not stay inside, tucked in away from the horrors of the outside world.

Just stay alert, folks. Don't keep your eye in your viewfinder too long, no matter where you are.

Phil Forrest
 
What disturbs me most about these incidents is the level of violence from the perpetrators of the crime. Having worked with the criminal element as a career, there are robbers who knew if they were in possession of a weapon or inflicted harm on their victim, that when they were sentenced for the crime, the terms of imprisonment would be greatly enhanced. These are the ones which would imply a threat but if the victim wasn't willing to give up their property would walk away and find another mark. The criminal portrayed in the article are the type the thrill of inflicting fear and harm are more important than the value of any stolen items.
 
PKR said:
I like the duck call bag. My favorite camera bag was an old Mil bag. I miss that thing. Where do I find a duck call bag that looks like it isn't approved by Ducks Unlimited?
Click to expand...

Mine is a DU branded one modified from a fanny pack to bandolier sling...LOL! :)

I replaced a like new 2015 Mercedes German canvas top at work the day before yesterday. Had a very tiny tear in it but otherwise perfect. Kept the old one. It is dark blue with black inner. It will become such a bag along with the tan/black top and the yardage of black/black that I have saved up the past 2 years or so. I've been talking about these custom bags for a couple of years now. I hope to get around to it sometime. I did build a prototype when I first started thinking about the project... very unique, very durable, just the right amount of softness/stiffness, self sealing zipper, water wicking thread, and shower tested (it keeps everything inside the bag dry even after several minutes under a direct showerhead on full blast). Way superior to anything DU ever thought about. I plan on kickstarting it or something like that because I know once I perfect the design all of you will want one. The cons are expense and weight. And finding the time to sit down and make a dozen of the suckers to send out for feedback and testing. Someday.

Apologies to the board for going OT.

@ Phil...I understand and agree. I feel safe carrying my F2 around. Somewhat like walking around with a ball bat just without the reach. Situational awareness!!! Don't be a sleepwalker folks.
 
Contarama said:
Mine is a DU branded one modified from a fanny pack to bandolier sling...LOL! :)

I replaced a like new 2015 Mercedes German canvas top at work the day before yesterday. Had a very tiny tear in it but otherwise perfect. Kept the old one. It is dark blue with black inner. It will become such a bag along with the tan/black top and the yardage of black/black that I have saved up the past 2 years or so. I've been talking about these custom bags for a couple of years now. I hope to get around to it sometime. I did build a prototype when I first started thinking about the project... very unique, very durable, just the right amount of softness/stiffness, self sealing zipper, water wicking thread, and shower tested (it keeps everything inside the bag dry even after several minutes under a direct showerhead on full blast). Way superior to anything DU ever thought about. I plan on kickstarting it or something like that because I know once I perfect the design all of you will want one. The cons are expense and weight. And finding the time to sit down and make a dozen of the suckers to send out for feedback and testing. Someday.

Apologies to the board for going OT.

@ Phil...I understand and agree. I feel safe carrying my F2 around. Somewhat like walking around with a ball bat just without the reach. Situational awareness!!! Don't be a sleepwalker folks.
Click to expand...

I don't think OT matters much with this thread, plus.. were talking about not getting shot over a camera.

I found these: http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/prod...uct&WT.ac=YMAL-2310133&WT.z_pg_ref=prd1389468

Right up my alley. Add a photo insert and could work well... unless someone wants to rob me thinking the bag is full of shotgun shells.

Bag insert https://www.amazon.com/Selens-High-...sr=1-1-spons&keywords=camera+bag+insert&psc=1

I'll see if I can get Joe's approval before buying another bag..
 
Me, trusty duck hunters call bag (weighed down by F2 with 28 mounted and a 50 prime in hard case - amazingly roomy as it also will hold the digital camera and light meter as well), SBC over the neck, digital unit with a home made strap bandoliered D5K and 105, and the wife's (who was climbing the pyramid) incognito bag...lol Made by someone I met on the ship (nice fella) who wanted to talk about cameras...with an 18-300 (300 side) on a D7K.

Go ahead...make my day! LOL :D:D:D

Note my gear selection (manual focus on film and digital)...you RFF boys taught me well! And yes I have a few rangefinder cameras also.

7708285708_a750b16cda_c.jpg
 
If I get a duck blind bag, I'll have to get a duck call to go with the bag. I can use it to call for air support if I'm getting mugged.
 
You just blast it at the would be mugger...better than pepper spray...they freak out and run! Don't even use a goose call unless you want to provoke an immediate heart attack in them!!! LOL
 
If the person who steals my camera takes photos better than mine the self-destruct mechanism will automatically be activated.

Chris
 
Ha! I think an experienced moose or elk caller could seriously distract any would-be assailant. Of course, they'd have to walk around with a moose or elk call reed in their mouth but that's what many hunters do for hours at a time. Get it loud enough and those are like a banshee wailing combined with a car horn.

Phil Forrest
 
So you go on a shoot with equipment worth over $50,000 and do not carry a pistol for self defense? I don't know man, but really, Oakland and you expect NOT to get robbed?

I learned my lesson 6-7 years ago when some junkie was following me in the streets of NYC, I turned around and cracked his skull in with my F4s, better to be proactive than dead or stabbed.
 
I've done some shooting in tough areas of my hometown, Detroit. Yeah, complacency and that odd obliviousness I experience when I'm in the shooting groove are dangerous states of mind. A friend of mine was robbed of his cash and gear a couple years ago on the east side (the thieves waited for him to return to his car and basically emptied it), very early morning. He won't shoot alone any longer in the city.

Ideally, I'd use the buddy system, but don't find myself practically with willing mates the times I'm out.
 
shootar401 said:
So you go on a shoot with equipment worth over $50,000 and do not carry a pistol for self defense? I don't know man, but really, Oakland and you expect NOT to get robbed?
Click to expand...

No, a parking lot gunfight isn't my idea of well-planned defense, especially when the perps have at least two guns. But being accompanied by armed, trained security would be on my short list.
 
shootar401 said:
So you go on a shoot with equipment worth over $50,000 and do not carry a pistol for self defense? I don't know man, but really, Oakland and you expect NOT to get robbed?
Click to expand...

Not to be rude but agree. Man was asking for trouble. Small group of people (I think none of them would seem like a threat for the robbers), at night, a parking lot, and what seemed to be valuable equipment? (monitors, video cameras, etc.); He was actually begging to be robbed if you ask me.

People must learn to be aware of surrounding and be prepared for that. I think that if maybe he had bring around two other guys that seemed like a threat, that could dissuade the robber (they would look for easier prey, less likely to present any problem).

I surely hope they had the equipment insured.


People, be cautious, don't think you are invulnerable (you aren't), and don't get yourself on dangerous position for a photo or film that is going to be easily forgotten. There are things more precious and beautiful that a photo or film.

Just my pre morning coffee rant.

Kept safe (that includes you and your camera :D)

Regards

Marcelo Paniagua
 
MCTuomey said:
No, a parking lot gunfight isn't my idea of well-planned defense, especially when the perps have at least two guns. But being accompanied by armed, trained security would be on my short list.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I mean, you carry around $50k dlls on equipment and you cant spare some cash for a few hours security guard?

Security guards are not mean to be used, they are there to dissuade robbers.

Regards

Marcelo Paniagua
 
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