stopped by the cops!

[Todd.Hanz]

The other day as I was commuting from work I saw a photo-op and thought I oughta finish the roll in the Iskra sitting on the seat next to me. I had two frames left, so I pulled to the median, took a meter reading and fired off a shot. I was putting the camera away when I noticed someone pulled up behind me, it was a local constable. Thinking he was just checking to see if I had car problems, I hopped out of my truck to tell him I was fine...first mistake.

"Whattya think yer doing buddy?"

Nothing, I'm not broken down officer (as I put my hands in my pocket- 2nd mistake)

"Hold it right there, don't move!!! Take your hands out of your pocket very slowly and put them on your truck" (as his hand went quickly to his sidearm)

Sorry officer, my cell phone was ringing.

"Whattya taking pictures of? Powerlines? Why, you think you're some kind of photograher or somethin' ?"

Well, uh.....yeah!

So he took my drivers license and ran me through his computer, he then returned my I.D. and apologized for any inconvienence. He told me he pulled me over because he saw me taking pictures of the power lines, which were connected to the power plant directly across the street. He then explained the relation to the targets of terrorism and the importance of thinking before shooting. I told him I didn't think it was illegal to photograph such objects, he said it wasn't but it was his duty to check me out. I asked if I could take my last frame and he said sure, so I took out the Iskra....

"What the hell is that?" ,"you take pictures with that thing?", "what's that funny writing on the front there?", " say, what's a good digital camera to get my wife for her birthday?".......

Many of these stories are told where law enforcement is considered to be the villan, I'd like to say I am glad to have participated in this scenario. Sure it was a minor inconvienece and it raised my heartrate a bit, but I feel a little safer knowing someone is paying attention.


Here is the picture I took...



Todd

 

[back alley]

always good to hear another side to a story.

 

[mattg]

Have you thought about going down to the station with a print? He might appreciate it and it never hurts to build another bridge.

 

[XAos]

Did he ask to see the pictures?

 

[JoeFriday]

"Whattya taking pictures of? Powerlines? Why, you think you're some kind of photograher or somethin' ?"

I notice you didn't ask him how he did on his detective exam 😀

nice photo of the powerlines, but you shoulda taken his photo.. maybe in some dramatic pose where he pulls his gun on a squirrel

 

[kiev4a]

Putting hands in pockets: BIG mistake

 

[erudolph]

Legal Rights of Photograpgers

Legal Rights of Photograpgers

Hi.... you should visit this link. http://www.krages.com/bpkphoto.htm

Bert Krages is an attorney with a particular interest in photography. I keep a printout of his short piece "The Photographer's Right" in my camera bad. And I spent the $20 for his softbound book "Legal Handbook for Photographers." It's been really helpful.

Ed

 

[erudolph]

in my camera BAG.... 🙂

Ed

 

[Todd.Hanz]

erudolph,

I have a copy with me in my camera bag as well...the one I left at home that day 😉

Todd

 

[Skinny McGee]

I remember when the terrorist thing started, that the admin. told Americans not to let it interfear with there lifes.... Go on living as normal..... I twould be ashamed if you can't take photos without being ran thru the system .......

 

[Fred]

Nice shot Todd. Worth the experience and as you say its only a small inconvenience. Almost a relief that the officers law are taking notice at potentially 'odd' situations. It shouldn't stop us taking photos though.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I twould be ashamed if you can't take photos without being ran thru the system .......

I spent eight years in the Marine Corps, I have been run through the system, run over by the system, and had the system run through me more times than I care to admit 😉 ....this was a minor inconvienence!


Todd

 

[TPPhotog]

At least the picture is a stunner and well worth the inconvenience 😀

 

[sooner]

Sounds like this guy wasn't the smartest cop around, but in the end it wasn't more than a minor inconvenience. Cops are free to ask questions, which we are free not to answer, unless he has a reasonable articulable suspicion or even probable cause that some crime may be taking place. To me, the key is how nice they are, i.e. whether they ask politely or try to bully you into not taking pictures or giving up some other right. It's a broad spectrum, ranging from good police work for the public safety to the unconstitutional and tyrannical. In either case, it makes for a good story.

As for the picture, nice job. Did you use a filter to make the clouds appear so distinctive?

 

[oftheherd]

Sounds like this guy wasn't the smartest cop around, but in the end it wasn't more than a minor inconvenience. Cops are free to ask questions, which we are free not to answer, unless he has a reasonable articulable suspicion or even probable cause that some crime may be taking place. To me, the key is how nice they are, i.e. whether they ask politely or try to bully you into not taking pictures or giving up some other right. It's a broad spectrum, ranging from good police work for the public safety to the unconstitutional and tyrannical. In either case, it makes for a good story.

As for the picture, nice job. Did you use a filter to make the clouds appear so distinctive?

Maybe not so dumb either. He could have acted quite differently. Especially when Todd.Hanz put his hands in his pockets. Looks like he saw something suspicious, checked it out, found nothing dangerous to the public, and after apologizing, let Todd.Hanz go. All sounds good to me.

 

[cralx2000]

I'm thinking myself get in this situation with broken english and looking like South American people. I may get 30 years in the jail. But I don't care I'm going to take picture anyway.

 

[XAos]

Distance has a large bearing on it too. They generally teach what's known as the 21 foot rule, which basically says anyone armed with a knife inside of 21 ft can probably seriously injure you before you can get your gun trained on him. Most ordinary people tend to think of knives as 2nd rate, and the old adage does still hold true if you can keep the distance from closing, but inside its effective range they're potentially more lethal. Like I said, most people dont think about this, but cops sure do. So yeah, reaching in your pockets is not a good thing to do while being approached by a policeman who has a professional interest in you.

Taking pictures may have prompted the interview, but the hand in the pocket is what made it get tense.

 

[kiev4a]

Maybe not so dumb either. He could have acted quite differently. Especially when Todd.Hanz put his hands in his pockets. Looks like he saw something suspicious, checked it out, found nothing dangerous to the public, and after apologizing, let Todd.Hanz go. All sounds good to me.

I agree. The officer seems to have done his job the way it should be done. He saw something unusual. He asked questions, checked it out and went on his way. He did his job and was fairly courteous, from the sound of things. I hope officers in our area are as alert.

Really nice photo, BTW

 

[digitalox]

allls well that ends well. nice shot todd, looks like it was worth the trouble.

 

[RayPA]

Hi.... you should visit this link. http://www.krages.com/bpkphoto.htm

Bert Krages is an attorney with a particular interest in photography. I keep a printout of his short piece "The Photographer's Right" in my camera bad. And I spent the $20 for his softbound book "Legal Handbook for Photographers." It's been really helpful.

Ed

Thanks for the link. I've seen this book around, but always wondered about its relevance (in regard to how up-to-date it is). Nice to hear some recommendations. I've already printed out the photographer's rights sheet. 🙂

🙂