Entering an obviously private business or climbing over a fence is one thing, walking along a road and crossing onto private property with no indication that one has done so is another.
Valid points. It's the owner's responsibility to mark private roads and land as such, although we're still trespassing if it isn't marked. As I mentioned before, even an empty lot or field is usually privately held, the degree of security (signs, fences, guards, barbwire-topped walls and controlled access) doesn't make it any less so, but the lack of signage provides valid deniablity of knowingly trespassing, until the owner or representative informs you of this.
Far too often here in the US it seems that Security Guards assume that looking at private property is an offense.
I had a reasonably similar situation with some wally when a movie was being filmed near me; he claimed the film company had temporary copyright on the buildings (!) and demanded I delete my (crappy, worthless) shots or hand over the memory card.
Both perfectly illustrate what I said about a guard's knowledge and understanding. More often than not, their manager or supervisor has no clue about what they can or can't do. That ignorance is passed on to the guard and results in them "behaving badly", even when they think they are in the right, or at least acting in the best interests of their employer. Ignorance is no excuse, but it explains a lot.
This is a new sheriffs vehicle I surreptitiously snapped at a gas station in my semi rural locale. I'm quite sure that if the cop had seen me taking pics with my dslr he would have hassled me.
Probably no more or less than if you were taking photos of someone standing at their vehicle and pumping gas the same way. More so because of how you took the photos than the subject. Why be sneaky about it?
I'm certain these new military toys aren't here to protect "us."
Actually, yes, as marked on the side of the vehicle. Look up SWAT and it's purpose. Is it this
Lake County?
Another pet peeve of mine... law enforcement "macho" escalation. The average police officer in one of the cities I once worked for always dressed in tactical gear, automatic weapons, camo ATVs, and crazy vehicles like that.
You can thank Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold, and Seung Hui Cho for part of that.
Where I live now, the PD is okay... just their stupid attitudes when they block our street checking licenses and acting tough while asking whose car I am driving (my wife's, she is sitting next to me); where are we going? Checking tags, insurance, all on a residential street.
"Revenue Traps", used by municipalities to collect more funding through citations for no insurance, seatbelts, expired registration, etc.
At least one provided some humor, as the driver in the vehicle next to me, an insurance rep in a company vehicle, complete with the insurance company's logos on every side of the car, couldn't find the vehicle's proof of insurance card.
And since this thread is now far down
Off Topic Road.
