Nabbed by a cop for shooting a loaded Leica!

[Dracotype]

As to the original issue, whether one likes it or not, whether one agrees with it or not, the US is in a war (or several of them). Transit systems in particular are considered vulnerable targets and security personnel are under high alert.

In these circumstances, I think the BART cops acted quite reasonably. They didn't seize honus's camera or equipment. They "satisfied" themselves that he was not a threat and let him go on his way.

What would you have done in their position?

Just be glad you are not in Israel. I don't know personally what it is like, but I think we can all guess. But it just happens to be one of the extremes you can go to.

Unless you get a really nasty cop who has some chip on his shoulder, most law enforcement personel are fairly resonable. It sounds like this one was. I applaud your calm attitude and response to the situation.

Drew

 

[darkkavenger]

as for the stadiums, hide a 2x converter in your wallet 😉

 

[ch1]

Wow, won't touch that one!

Here's another thread going around tonight.

Get a good look at the babe (er...model) first but then check out the last pic!

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=229769#post229769

 

[nwcanonman]

Over here there is a mixed bag about shooting in sports stadia. I've seen lots of folks do so in Yankee Stadium at baseball games - although I'm told you shouldn't use a lens over 200mm (has to do with copyright laws - not security issues).

There was a thread here a while back that said the NCAA was peed off with a web-based photo service that was posting "unauthorized" pics at college basketball games - not sure where that's going.

As to the original issue, whether one likes it or not, whether one agrees with it or not, the US is in a war (or several of them). Transit systems in particular are considered vulnerable targets and security personnel are under high alert.

In these circumstances, I think the BART cops acted quite reasonably. They didn't seize honus's camera or equipment. They "satisfied" themselves that he was not a threat and let him go on his way.

What would you have done in their position?

.........................
I would have smiled and waved for the camera :angel:
If a person is not doing another person harm, why hassle them?
Bin Laden's people are bright enough to use camera-phones or hidden cameras if they wanted details. Why hassle honest citizens?

 

[peterc]

Why hassle honest citizens?

Because the honest citizens are visible, easy to hassle and generally non-threatening.
"Checked out three possible terrorist threats" (two digicam users and a rangefinder user) looks pretty good in the daily report of any cop/rent-a-cop.

Peter

 

[ch1]

.........................
I would have smiled and waved for the camera :angel:
If a person is not doing another person harm, why hassle them?
Bin Laden's people are bright enough to use camera-phones or hidden cameras if they wanted details. Why hassle honest citizens?

Emotionally, I agree with you. But I'm not there making these kinds of snap decisions. The subway system is a controlled and regulated environment. No one has a "right" to be there, only a "license" to do so by paying the fare.

Stopping someone on the street would be unreasonable. Politely questioning someone in a controlled evironment - when done by a person in a acting under the legitimate color of the law - is reasonable.

'Nuff said. No more from me on this thread.

 

[nwcanonman]

It's astonishing how little it takes to provoke a cop in this country, and I speak from
experience. I can describe in graphic detail what a six second blast of pepper spray,
inches from my face, can do.

I don't care what sort of reaction I get from this--all cops are sociopaths.

.................
Sorry, but that's as bigotted as cops thinking all photographers are terrorists.
I volunteer with policeman every day. There are good ones, smart ones, dumb ones and power junkies - just like the rest of the world. It is a damn tough job, I'm glad the vast majority are good guys.

 

[BrianShaw]

.................
... policeman ... There are good ones, smart ones, dumb ones and power junkies...QUOTE]

My father-in-lw, brother-in-law, brother, brother's wife, and uncle are all cops. You're describing my family. But sometimes I'm not sure which family member fits which description! 😕

 

[yossarian]

To be precise, I'm prejudiced, not bigoted.

 

[Socke]

In these circumstances, I think the BART cops acted quite reasonably. They didn't seize honus's camera or equipment. They "satisfied" themselves that he was not a threat and let him go on his way.

What would you have done in their position?

I second that. It's not what I like but I don't think the cop got out of his way.

 

[Ergo]

SF is by far a more tourist oriented city

SF is by far a more tourist oriented city

And friendlier too.

Unlike San Francisco, Vancouver is a tourist city, so snapping pics is legal, except in Malls and stores unless you ask for permission---which has never stopped me. 😎

 

[Socke]

Oops, somehow I posted this twice.

So here's one from the birthday party tonight. Samba is safer than subways 😛

 

[Biggles]

Photography has been a Thou Shalt Not on my city's subway for at least ten years. One needs to apply for a permit- my photo club easily got one, in 1995.

 

[shaaktiman]

Thankfully the ban on NYC subways was nixed. There have been some funny stories of people being asked to not photograph certain buildings by security guards here though. When asked why the response was that it was against the building's policy. Laughable. I do feel for the security guard, it's not the greatest job and they are forced to at least attempt to enforce the rules they are given. I do wonder why the building's owners expect that everyone on the street should have to abide by their particular policy.

Within a week of internet publicity that particular building had become one of the most photographed landmarks in NYC. Some people don't like being challenged. Good for them.

 

[nwcanonman]

To be precise, I'm prejudiced, not bigoted.

...............
Are you sure?
"bigot

n : a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own."

 

[nwcanonman]

I second that. It's not what I like but I don't think the cop got out of his way.

.....................
This article says it pretty well, for me anyhow -
http://www.yumasun.com/artman/publish/print/printer_11929.shtml

 

[raid]

I once committed the ultimate crime of taking photos in a mall.

 

[nwcanonman]

I once committed the ultimate crime of taking photos in a mall.

...............................
Victoria's Secrets I hope 😀

 

[yossarian]

...............
Are you sure?
"bigot

n : a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own."

I was once trusting, naive, all of it. Unless you've been through police abuse, your
words have no value and carry no weight.

As I said, I knew I would incite some reactions. And I also said that I don't care.
Maybe you'll be fortunate enough never to go through it. There is not one argument
which will ever change my mind; I've never been more resolute about anything.

There's the dictionary, and then there's life. Recite all you want; make all the personal attacks you want. Experience trumps empty platitudes.

 

[nwcanonman]

yossarian,
Sorry you've had such a bad experience. I made no "personal attack", merely pointed out that painting all of any group by what a few have done is bigotry.
I wish you better times ~ ; - )