I was taking video of the cityscapes in Chinatown near the Verizon Center (Washington, D.C.). I was filming the Verizon Center Building from across the street and one security guard came and asked me why I was filming the Verizon Center and she asked me for my ID. I told them that I wasn't going to give it to them and they didn't have the right to ask me for it. I wanted to leave, but then another two security guards came and didn't let me walk away. This all happened on the street where I was originally filming. I told them they didn't have the right to hold me against my will, so they called the police and then they came. When the police arrived they asked me for my information and gave it to the Verizon security guards. Have my rights been violated? What should I do about this?
Go here. Download the pdf then print it and keep a few copies in your bag. When challenged by a rent a cop, tell him all the permission you need is right there and have them read it. It may not always work, but it's worth having.
What a load of bunk. How can a private citizen (security guard) detain anyone against their will on a public street? I think you could have (and probably still could) press charges or recover civil damages for false arrest. And what the heck did they say to the police when they made their complaint call to get the officers to respond?
Good luck. I hope you make a big, loud stink against the Verizon Center and the DC police. If you push hard enough, you'll probably discover that the Verizon Center's security cameras were filming YOU the whole time.
Not too long ago I saw an NYPD order from the brass to the cops in the field instructing them that they couldn't harass photographers or ask for ID without probable cause, especially in the subways. You can probably find it online. I know that's NY and not DC, but still....
The excuse for the people who think liberties in the United States of America need to be curtailed arrived on a beautiful morning in early September 2001. Last week i heard Govenor Christie of New Jersey tell someone who was protesting at a Meg Whitman campaign rally to shut up and when they took over this kind of disruption won't happen.
The people who want the USA to be a tightly controlled place have been plotting it since the early 1970s when they worked for Richard Nixon. Now they are doing the massive amount of funding to influence the next election and they own and run a massive media network (Fox) to dissiminate their propaganda and disinfomation.
Yes, your rights were violated. What a load of crap. Fighting this sort of thing is expensive and exhausting; if you are interested in taking a stand I suggest looking for a group or groups that are already challenging this guff. It doesn't matter how right you are when you are facing hostile cops who have this vague idea that taking pictures helps terrorists, and who are dumb enough to treat private security like they have any authority, and who have a self-interest in discouraging photography because of all the times police been caught on film doing things they shouldn't have been doing-- fighting this sort of abuse takes money and organization. I'm sorry I don't know of any groups to recommend; perhaps the ACLU or your local bar association can give some leads.
It's always something, isn't it? As the wise sages Jane's Addiction said, "Idiots rule."
"Richard Kelly - If you are a photographer and have been harrassed by security forces please let me know. Specific detail appreciated. [email protected]"
Richard Kelly, president of ASMP, posted this on Facebook yesterday. Probably wouldn't hurt to contact him.
E-Vener wrote:
The excuse for the people who think liberties in the United States of America need to be curtailed arrived on a beautiful morning in early September 2001. Last week i heard Govenor Christie of New Jersey tell someone who was protesting at a Meg Whitman campaign rally to shut up and when they took over this kind of disruption won't happen.
The people who want the USA to be a tightly controlled place have been plotting it since the early 1970s when they worked for Richard Nixon. Now they are doing the massive amount of funding to influence the next election and they own and run a massive media network (Fox) to dissiminate their propaganda and disinfomation.
I was stopped by a Security guard at the Palm Beach County Florida main court house. I was photographing the courthouse for print ads for a client. I went there at sunrise on a Sunday so there would be no cars or people around the building. After about 45 minutes a sec Guard came up to me asking what I was doing. I told him and handed him my business card. He told me have to leave and I asked him if I could stay for another 10 minutes to finish the shots I needed. He said no, so I asked him to call the police. He did and in about 3 minutes a real cop arrived. I told him what I was doing, he looked in my car, I showed him a copy of my contract. He spoke to the guard, talked on his radio for about 5 minutes.
He then came up to me and asked if I was finished. I told the cop I needed two more shots, would take about 5 minutes. The cop sternly told me to get my last to shots and leave. I did.
I got stopped in London by police while photgraphing Houses of Parliament. They said it was a routine Stop and Search operation since I was photographing "strategically important object"... since they wasted my lunchbreak, I insisted on wasting their time and fill in the complete report...
Though, they were female and kind of cute..I sensed some additional interest in my male persona..
They should have put you in jail!..I would of... You do show ID when you cash a check or use a credit card... or did you make this up? where you been since 9-11?
I'd like someone to explain to me how there exists a so-called security issue when someone takes photos of a building, but any tourist can buy postcards of the same thing.
k7ose wrote:
They should have put you in jail!..I would of... You do show ID when you cash a check or use a credit card... or did you make this up? where you been since 9-11?
You're kidding, right? What law did he break that he should have gone to jail? And he did show his ID to the police officers, although they had very little grounds to ask for it.
Let me ask you something: Say you're sitting in the park with your kids. A guy comes up to you, not a police officer, and asks for your ID. Do you give it to him because of 9/11? A security guard has no more powers than any other civilian, especially on a public street. It doesn't matter if it's within view of the security guard's place of employment.
Your examples aren't valid, btw. Cashing a check and using a credit card are not constitutionally protected rights.
Failing to assert your rights only makes it more likely that you'll lose those rights.
k7ose wrote:
They should have put you in jail!..I would of... You do show ID when you cash a check or use a credit card... or did you make this up? where you been since 9-11?
I don't like your post please show me your ID, a photo of it will do.
There seem to be a lot of complicated issues here, but generally speaking, US citizens are not required to carry their IDs with them unless they are driving and flying, and are not required to show their IDs to a police officer unless the officer has a reasonable suspicion that the person is comitting or will commit a crime. And generally, photographing the Verizon Center is not a crime in itself because it is clearly visible from the public street.
But you should balance your rights against your personal interests to determine if complying with a police request, to which you're not legally obligated, allows you to walk away from the situation sooner than later.
For those who are advocating filing a lawsuit against the police officer, even though you weren't arrested, detained or searched -- maybe they'd be willing to do the leg-work to find your counsel and pay his attorney fees for you? Again, balancing your rights against your interests.
As a general aside -- I live in DC and I think the police patrolling in Chinatown ought to focus their efforts on keeping the streets in that area safe instead of questioning photographers. Just my 2 cents.
since they wasted my lunchbreak, I insisted on wasting their time and fill in the complete report...
Again, balancing your rights against your interests.