Run in with the police

[Iguanasan]

Just had my first photography related incident with the police. After coming home from work tonight my wife wanted to run a couple of errands (she doesn't drive) so I drove her down to the drug store and while I was waiting in the car I pulled out my camera (always have it on me) and took a few snaps.

My wife came out and we drove off to run a few more errands. When I pulled into my driveway a police car pulled in behind me and the officer asked to talk with me. Someone, apparently, had written down my license plate and called the police with a report that I was taking pictures of women bending over.

The officer was polite and I answered his questions - gave him one of my Moo cards. We had a little laugh about the crazy things people call them about and after he made a few notes he drove away.

I chose not to get belligerent but I do have to wonder why the police would not have simply told the woman that there is nothing illegal about taking pictures in a public place - regardless of the subject. And no, MA, before you ask, I was not taking pictures of women bending over!

[kat]

Wow. I do that too when we go places and the husband has to go in!!! Kind of shocked in a way but then again. You know what though..Dr Phil had a show about people taking photos of peoples butts this week (or late last week) wouldn't surprise me if this person watched that show!!!

[casil403]

Not too long ago a dude was arrested at The Bay for taking pictures up womens' skirts in the shoe aisle. He had a miniature camera and was perusing the shoes. A women reported him to security when she noticed his odd behavior of trying to get close to her and manoevering his shoe close to her dress.

I'm not saying you were doing anything suspicious Iggy and I'm not even remotely trying to compare you to this creep at The Bay.
However I can sort of understand why someone might in this day of perverts, wierdos, mini and cell phone cameras call the cops if they thought they saw something that looked suspicious in their opinion.

Just my 2/100 of a $1.

[Iguanasan]

And that's one of the reason's why I was co-operative rather than being an a-hole. I don't quite understand how I am compared with people like that though when I'm sitting in a car 40 feet from my nearest possible "victim" with a little point and shoot camera.

I agree with kat. This person is a Dr. Phil fan!

[casil403]

Gosh..I hope you don't think I was trying to compare you.... Honestly....I wasn't.

People are people and who knows what they're reasoning was...I know I've called the cops in my neighbourhood for all sorts of things...cars parked and running in my parkade at 2am (turns out it was prostitutes and Johns in the midst of transactions).... people openly dealing and smoking crack and meth in the park across the street...if it looks suspicious, I call....but that's me.

I find tho' with the cops, you're right..it's best just to cooperate and be cool...being an a** hole will usually turn them into the same.

[Iguanasan]

Gosh..I hope you don't think I was trying to compare you.... Honestly....I wasn't.

No. Not at all - rest assured. I'm just saying that I don't even understand why the person who called was so suspicious of me. If I was behaving a bit strange and hiding in the bushes (or sneaking my foot underneath a dress) then I would understand it. I was simply sitting in the car shooting a few pics through the windshield.

[AntZ]

Not too long ago a dude was arrested at The Bay for taking pictures up womens' skirts in the shoe aisle. He had a miniature camera and was perusing the shoes. A women reported him to security when she noticed his odd behavior of trying to get close to her and manoevering his shoe close to her dress.

Apparently in the states they are trying to legislate point and shoot cameras and camera phones must make a sound when shooting. I hate the fake shutter sounds! It is usually the first thing I turn off.

Photographer rights is an interesting topic in such a global forum. For example, it is illegal to take pictures of government buildings in some countries!

[Iguanasan]

Like everything else it's a matter of education. I remember hearing not too long ago about a fellow who got arrested for taking pictures of AmTrak trains. What made it really interesting was that he was taking the photos for an AmTrak photo contest!

http://carlosmiller.com/2008/12/27/a...photo-contest/

There's a bunch of videos on YouTube as well about people filming or taking pictures and being spoken to by the police.

I am glad my incident was extremely tame but at the same time disappointed that it happened at all.

[Marko]

Thanks casil!

I posted the info here as a resource http://www.photography.ca/Forums/photography-references-resources/3067-rights-photographers-post18638.html

members from other countries that know of similar texts that should be included should PM me.

Thanks all!
Marko

[Greg_Nuspel]

Like everything else it's a matter of education. I remember hearing not too long ago about a fellow who got arrested for taking pictures of AmTrak trains. What made it really interesting was that he was taking the photos for an AmTrak photo contest!

The good news is he received a 5 figure settlement from AmTrack over the incident, at least 10 times the value of the competition.