answer this question please

[d_fife]

I got back from Jacksonville FL problem, on my trip, Again, when I was taking pics in Downtown Jaccksonville, a police officer saw me taking pics of the back of the downtown stores area and theater area where there was the few of the skyliners and stopped me and questioned me and searched my car. I said how long and he SAID WHEN I AM DONE WITH YOU I WILL RELEASE YOU!!! THIS ALMOST NEVER HAPPENS TO ME AND WHY TWICE IN A ROW. I AM VERY UPSET BY THIS VERY BADLY!!!!!!!!!! MOST OF THE TIME WHEN I TAKE PICS THE POLICE DONT EVEN BOTHER ME!!!!This time, I was not near big bank and government buildings. The cop was in his cop car in his REGULAR Clothing and he stole 35 minutes of my time, WHY 35 MINUTES COuld him searching my files have been quicker. OH, HE LONG WAS HE IN HIS CAR AT THAT PARKING SPACE IN DOWNTOWN DO YOU THINK? HE said I just got out of the courthouse and I was taking pics. He never even searched my pockets. THIS UPSETS ME TO DEATH. what is happening. AGain, this almost never happens to me when I go somewhere. ..when I woke up during my flight home I hoped it was a bad dream!!!!!!! I WAS IN ALMOST NO MOOD TO HEAD HOME! Why does this happen again, why. wHAT IS GOING WRONG!!!! This happeened to me once in 2006 and once in 2004. I got to my flight 85 minutes before it left and I still had plenty of time.

I might even just ask the government to help me be immune to the police doing this to me as this is twice in a row now!!!!!!!! I FILED A COMPLAINT TO THE JACKSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT!

wHAT IS WRONG WITH THE POLICE!!! AGAIN MOST OF THE TIME I HAVE DONE THIS IN FRONT OF THE POLICE AND THEY NEVER BOTHERED ME AND wHAT HAPPENED ALMOST NEVER HAPPENS WHEN I GO SOMEWHERE


I FOund 2 BROWN OLD SCHOOL TOYS R US' (one in TAlalhasee and GAinesville) And went to 3 Super Targets. I got warm and tanned in Florida.


I might even just ask the government to help me be immune to the police doing this to me as this is twice in a row now!!!!!!!! I FILED A COMPLAINT TO THE JACKSONVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT!

wHAT IS WRONG WITH THE POLICE!!! AGAIN MOST OF THE TIME I HAVE DONE THIS IN FRONT OF THE POLICE AND THEY NEVER BOTHERED ME AND wHAT HAPPENED ALMOST NEVER HAPPENS WHEN I GO SOMEWHERE


I FOund 2 BROWN OLD SCHOOL TOYS R US' (one in TAlalhasee and GAinesville) And went to 3 Super Targets. I got warm and tanned in Florida.


two weeks ago in RALIEGH NC I Got stopped by the police for taking pics and they said it was of government buildings and big banks and they had bank robberies. They searched my car and found my jason mask of JAson that I wore to work on Friday the 13th and took me around the corner to the police station for questioning and interviewing!!!!!!!!

WHAT CAN BE DONE SO THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN. a lot of times the police never bothered me when I Was in view of them. CAN SOMEONE HELP!!!!!!

[C. Fontaine]

Holy cow, glad your ok Dan.  To be honest I usually just try to avoid them, if they show up I leave or stay out of view.  The few times I have been confronted I just let them look though my camera and gave them one of my business cards I had made up a while back, and they just let me go.  Same with the time I was caught taking a receiving sign from the Torrington Ames, he ran my info and actually let me keep the sign!

Sounds like a lot of it is just paranoia of people photographing buildings, public areas and such.

[d_fife]

Originally posted by C. Fontaine
Holy cow, glad your ok Dan.  To be honest I usually just try to avoid them, if they show up I leave or stay out of view.  The few times I have been confronted I just let them look though my camera and gave them one of my business cards I had made up a while back, and they just let me go.  Same with the time I was caught taking a receiving sign from the Torrington Ames, he ran my info and actually let me keep the sign!

Sounds like a lot of it is just paranoia of people photographing buildings, public areas and such.

well I am now sick of this!!!! I dont want this to happen again and how long where you tied up for.

[XISMZERO]

This is a sensitive subject for me to discuss because as you all know, I take lots of pictures and have been pressed for it in the past. If you want to hear of some of my worst run-ins (though never by law enforcement), check out my Latham Circle Mall or when I was involved in a verbal heat by a private citizen earlier this year. I felt the actions taken by the guard at the mall were disgraceful I decided to publish the photos and my first hand account.

Last time I checked it's not illegal to take pictures of regular buildings. Now if the store management calls the police under suspicion, you could be questioned. That almost happened a few months ago when I was in New City photograhing the vacant Bradlees.

That's odd why the officer was harassing you for taking pictures. To my knowledge, they can't search your vehicle unless they have some kind of reasonable concern. Good for you filing the complaint... something sounds fishy about that event. Perhaps he was abusing his authority or took advantage of you seeing you may not have known your rights.

In the 2+ years I've taken pictures, I've never been harassed by police -- more so I've been by private security. Most of the time, they just question you, put the camera away and tell you to move along.

I follow a few simple rules: when possible, stay in your car and get pictures, watch your surroundings to see whose watching you, and take as many as you can before you're noticed. Additionally, be quick and ultimately never surrender your equipment -- you have rights because it is not illegal to photograph anything that isn't violating someone's privacy (public property doesn't count) or some kind of government building/port authority.

The sad fact is that especially in our line of hobby, it's just unusual to photograph stores and it always takes just one person to get suspicious or paranoid.

Dan, I am looking forward to your pictures!

[d_fife]

Originally posted by XISMZERO
This is a sensitive subject for me to discuss because as you all know, I take lots of pictures and have been pressed for it in the past. If you want to hear of some of my worst run-ins (though never by law enforcement), check out my Latham Circle Mall or when I was involved in a verbal heat by a private citizen earlier this year. I felt the actions taken by the guard at the mall were disgraceful I decided to publish the photos and my first hand account.

Last time I checked it's not illegal to take pictures of regular buildings. Now if the store management calls the police under suspicion, you could be questioned. That almost happened a few months ago when I was in New City photograhing the vacant Bradlees.

That's odd why the officer was harassing you for taking pictures. To my knowledge, they can't search your vehicle unless they have some kind of reasonable concern. Good for you filing the complaint... something sounds fishy about that event. Perhaps he was abusing his authority or took advantage of you seeing you may not have known your rights.

In the 2+ years I've taken pictures, I've never been harassed by police -- more so I've been by private security. Most of the time, they just question you, put the camera away and tell you to move along.

I follow a few simple rules: when possible, stay in your car and get pictures, watch your surroundings to see whose watching you, and take as many as you can before you're noticed. Additionally, be quick and ultimately never surrender your equipment -- you have rights because it is not illegal to photograph anything that isn't violating someone's privacy (public property doesn't count) or some kind of government building/port authority.

The sad fact is that especially in our line of hobby, it's just unusual to photograph stores and it always takes just one person to get suspicious or paranoid.

Dan, I am looking forward to your pictures!

I did not photograph stores when I was stopped.

[videogamer75]

I always take pictures while I'm in my car so I never get caught.

[wwefan101]

haha me to  well one time for takeing a pic of a wreck nare  the old shells in webster but  that cop knows i been takeing pics all my life one webster ma cop talked me photboy once lol

[dmx10101]

Well Jacksonville FL is where I'm from, I lived there for 20yrs and only moved away 2 yrs ago. I just came back from visiting there last week too. I ever had a problem with the police when I took pictures there. That seem s a little odd that they would do that too you. JSO is usually not very bothersom.

[wwefan101]

lol we just called out police last night casue the neghbors were to loud last night they were yelling  on the porch

[d_fife]

I am VERY UPSET AT THE PICTURE TAKING INCIDENTS THAT HAPPENED LAST JULY AND THOUGH I DONT HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD WHEN THEY CHECKED MY BACKGROUND, WHAT IF I DID WHAT WOUDL THEY HAVE DONE


And they take my camera, woudl they destroy all my pictures in the memory stick?

[Crawford]

I usually go early in the morning on a Saturday or a Sunday. Never had any issues. I keep a cup of coffee in my car and a newspaper so I just look like I pulled off to take a break.

[d_fife]

Originally posted by Crawford
I usually go early in the morning on a Saturday or a Sunday. Never had any issues. I keep a cup of coffee in my car and a newspaper so I just look like I pulled off to take a break.

please stick to my post from September 20, 2008 18:46

[powersbt]

Originally posted by d_fife

Originally posted by Crawford
I usually go early in the morning on a Saturday or a Sunday. Never had any issues. I keep a cup of coffee in my car and a newspaper so I just look like I pulled off to take a break.

please stick to my post from September 20, 2008 18:46

His post seemed to be Pertinent to the Topic in my Opinion.

[Crawford]

I think what d_fife meant was to his post immediately before mine which I did not see when I put mine on.

Since 9/11 cops are much more vigilant about people taking pictures in public where they normally do not. Let's face it, how many average Americans take photos of the CVS or Stop and Shop? I hate living in a country where simply taking pictures can draw attention that it never did before but this is what it is.

D_fife, many police departments run a background check as SOP for unpaid tickets or outstanding warrants. Some cops are decent about it, others are not and will keep you there as long as possible hoping you will get antsy and maybe do something foolish and give them just cause to search you, your car or camera. Looks like you ran into the latter. I had one city cop give me a hard time because I was driving my mother's car and her name was on the registration. Even looking at my license which showed I lived at the same address as her, the cop kept insisting the car was stolen, I invited him to call my house as proof or even escort me there, nicely of course. As far as your camera or pictures were concerned, again I don't believe they can just take your camera without just cause nor can they force you to remove the memory stick. If anything they'd make you delete the pictures and to move along.


Filing a report with the Jacksonville police department is a start but lets face it, they know you were visiting and probably won't be back so it won't be seriously pursued. But if you were a resident it might be a different story. I've filed complaints with my local police over what I felt was less than professional conduct and haven't had any issues since then.

Too bad your vacation had to be ruined by one overzealous cop. Maybe he was looking to make seargent? :bigsmile:

[d_fife]

Originally posted by Crawford
I think what d_fife meant was to his post immediately before mine which I did not see when I put mine on.

Since 9/11 cops are much more vigilant about people taking pictures in public where they normally do not. Let's face it, how many average Americans take photos of the CVS or Stop and Shop? I hate living in a country where simply taking pictures can draw attention that it never did before but this is what it is.

D_fife, many police departments run a background check as SOP for unpaid tickets or outstanding warrants. Some cops are decent about it, others are not and will keep you there as long as possible hoping you will get antsy and maybe do something foolish and give them just cause to search you, your car or camera. Looks like you ran into the latter. I had one city cop give me a hard time because I was driving my mother's car and her name was on the registration. Even looking at my license which showed I lived at the same address as her, the cop kept insisting the car was stolen, I invited him to call my house as proof or even escort me there, nicely of course. As far as your camera or pictures were concerned, again I don't believe they can just take your camera without just cause nor can they force you to remove the memory stick. If anything they'd make you delete the pictures and to move along.


Filing a report with the Jacksonville police department is a start but lets face it, they know you were visiting and probably won't be back so it won't be seriously pursued. But if you were a resident it might be a different story. I've filed complaints with my local police over what I felt was less than professional conduct and haven't had any issues since then.

Too bad your vacation had to be ruined by one overzealous cop. Maybe he was looking to make seargent? :bigsmile:

gUESS WHAT, I was picture taking in downtown Pittsburgh PA 3 weeks ago and I WAS NEVER STOPPED!!! and same thing with Detroit and ATLANTA.  I GUESS SOME COPS  GET BORED!!!!!! MAYBE OR THE OFFICERS DISCRETION!

[d_fife]

Originally posted by Crawford
I think what d_fife meant was to his post immediately before mine which I did not see when I put mine on.

Since 9/11 cops are much more vigilant about people taking pictures in public where they normally do not. Let's face it, how many average Americans take photos of the CVS or Stop and Shop? I hate living in a country where simply taking pictures can draw attention that it never did before but this is what it is.

D_fife, many police departments run a background check as SOP for unpaid tickets or outstanding warrants. Some cops are decent about it, others are not and will keep you there as long as possible hoping you will get antsy and maybe do something foolish and give them just cause to search you, your car or camera. Looks like you ran into the latter. I had one city cop give me a hard time because I was driving my mother's car and her name was on the registration. Even looking at my license which showed I lived at the same address as her, the cop kept insisting the car was stolen, I invited him to call my house as proof or even escort me there, nicely of course. As far as your camera or pictures were concerned, again I don't believe they can just take your camera without just cause nor can they force you to remove the memory stick. If anything they'd make you delete the pictures and to move along.


Filing a report with the Jacksonville police department is a start but lets face it, they know you were visiting and probably won't be back so it won't be seriously pursued. But if you were a resident it might be a different story. I've filed complaints with my local police over what I felt was less than professional conduct and haven't had any issues since then.

Too bad your vacation had to be ruined by one overzealous cop. Maybe he was looking to make seargent? :bigsmile:

DELETE WHAT PICTURES? I, I have taken pics before and have never been stopped by the policE WHEN I KNOw they saw me doing it.  I wish I could build a time machine and prevent 9/11 from happening.

[NJxxJon]

Originally posted by d_fife

Originally posted by Crawford
I think what d_fife meant was to his post immediately before mine which I did not see when I put mine on.

Since 9/11 cops are much more vigilant about people taking pictures in public where they normally do not. Let's face it, how many average Americans take photos of the CVS or Stop and Shop? I hate living in a country where simply taking pictures can draw attention that it never did before but this is what it is.

D_fife, many police departments run a background check as SOP for unpaid tickets or outstanding warrants. Some cops are decent about it, others are not and will keep you there as long as possible hoping you will get antsy and maybe do something foolish and give them just cause to search you, your car or camera. Looks like you ran into the latter. I had one city cop give me a hard time because I was driving my mother's car and her name was on the registration. Even looking at my license which showed I lived at the same address as her, the cop kept insisting the car was stolen, I invited him to call my house as proof or even escort me there, nicely of course. As far as your camera or pictures were concerned, again I don't believe they can just take your camera without just cause nor can they force you to remove the memory stick. If anything they'd make you delete the pictures and to move along.


Filing a report with the Jacksonville police department is a start but lets face it, they know you were visiting and probably won't be back so it won't be seriously pursued. But if you were a resident it might be a different story. I've filed complaints with my local police over what I felt was less than professional conduct and haven't had any issues since then.

Too bad your vacation had to be ruined by one overzealous cop. Maybe he was looking to make seargent? :bigsmile:

DELETE WHAT PICTURES? I, I have taken pics before and have never been stopped by the policE WHEN I KNOw they saw me doing it.  I wish I could build a time machine and prevent 9/11 from happening.

Yeah most people have an argument for taking digital pictures of public property....really we do promote old property on this board when you sit back and think about it.

[d_fife]

Answer this question., when the police checked my background when they saw me picture taking what if they saw a petty theft or theft of services charge, how much different would it have been and what would have happened

Can they really take my camera and would they and can they wipe the memory stick clean?

[captjack]

d_fife, The probable cause that you speak of would be one of two things. Someone called into dispatch a suspiscious person or circumstance or the Officer observed what he/she considered a suspicious circumstance.
In these times people are paranoid and call eveything into dispatch. (Full time Firefighter - Part Time Dispatcher in the past/ 911 call center/PT jobber at Sears -Firefighting does not pay much!)
I think your filing of a complaint is good to bring balance into our society, as there is not a boggy man behind evey tree!
Your question as to the background check, a check for warrants or felony flight is checked on all who are detained by the police. Both for their protection and ours! If something had come up that warranted detainment in the jail, it would have happened.
Sorry for the long post as a newbie but perhaps this may help explain your unpleasant  experiences. Cheers, jack.
BTW I feel so sorry for your collective loss in the untimely demise of Ames. The voicemail on YouTube made my wife and I cry. Godspeed everyone, jack and cheryl.

[captjack]

d_fife, About the Film stick, if a crime had been noted on the stick it would have been taken into evidence until the disposition and determination of it's value by a judge. At that time it could be held for a trial, released into your custody after duplication or simply held in the evidence room forever.
I doubt they would have taken your camera stick and deleted any pictures. The only reason to hold onto the camera or stick would be as evidence in a crime.
Not fair! But the greater good of justice for a crime outweights personal property rights. But this is just my opinion.  Cheers, jack.

[Caldor1999]

cops and be such jerks like one time i was takeing pictures on the top of the parking grage of the gallareia mall in white planes you can get some amazing views from there and this cop saw me and pulled up to me and she thought i was doing drugs  and she serched me and looked around to see if she could find anything and when she dident she got all pissed and told me never to come back here again

im kinda hopeing she got shot im sry but i hate cops like that they dont deserve to be cops

[d_fife]

Originally posted by Caldor1999
cops and be such jerks like one time i was takeing pictures on the top of the parking grage of the gallareia mall in white planes you can get some amazing views from there and this cop saw me and pulled up to me and she thought i was doing drugs  and she serched me and looked around to see if she could find anything and when she dident she got all pissed and told me never to come back here again

im kinda hopeing she got shot im sry but i hate cops like that they dont deserve to be cops

cops like that are terrible. I hope that cop you mention gets kicked off the force.

Yet when I took pics in downtown Atlanta, Detroit and Pittsburgh the police saw me taking pics and did not bothered me!!!

The picture taking incidents have bothered me sooo bad its consumed me, I have had several nightmares about it for many weeks, its bothered me at work many times and one day I got in trouble over it as it bothered me soo bad I snapped at a few employees, i destroyed my credit cards but I reissued them, I got headaches over thinking about it a lot, on some of my days off I sit there and think about it a lot, I almost put an end to the trips I take.

[d_fife]

captjack or someone? , what would have "Warrented detainment"?????

Originally posted by captjack
d_fife, The probable cause that you speak of would be one of two things. Someone called into dispatch a suspiscious person or circumstance or the Officer observed what he/she considered a suspicious circumstance.
In these times people are paranoid and call eveything into dispatch. (Full time Firefighter - Part Time Dispatcher in the past/ 911 call center/PT jobber at Sears -Firefighting does not pay much!)
I think your filing of a complaint is good to bring balance into our society, as there is not a boggy man behind evey tree!
Your question as to the background check, a check for warrants or felony flight is checked on all who are detained by the police. Both for their protection and ours! If something had come up that warranted detainment in the jail, it would have happened.
Sorry for the long post as a newbie but perhaps this may help explain your unpleasant  experiences. Cheers, jack.
BTW I feel so sorry for your collective loss in the untimely demise of Ames. The voicemail on YouTube made my wife and I cry. Godspeed everyone, jack and cheryl.

[d_fife]

when I took pics in PHoenix, louisville, lexington and Pittsburgh and Atlanta within the last 6 months in few of Police they did not stop me and what I was taking pictures of was the downtown buildings

when I got stopped last summer, what things did they look for on my background check and I have nothing on my background. What things are they looking for for a criminal background. if there was petty theft like a 10 dollar cab fare, I dont think it would be worthy of them doing anything, RIGHT??? ARE they looking for felonies and or me being a felon on the run. WHAT THINGS ARE THEY LOOKING FOR ON THE CRIMINAL RECORD!

[wwefan101]

dam i can take pics or videos  passing acidnets or what ever i want when passing cops  they just get mad here ift your talking on a cellphone well passing them  that goes for evey town nare me one called me phot  boy lol and started laughing in webster ma

[d_fife]

about my picture taking incident In NC, why did they check my criminal background which I dont have and why doe shaving a criminal record matter. WHAT KINDS OF THINGS ARE THEY LOOKING FOR??? I bet petty theft or conduct would not be what they are looking for, are they looking for more serious crimes?

[nibw]

There is no law in the United States prohibiting photography in a public space. Any building, federal or otherwise is game. If a business or building or property posts a sign prohibiting photography, they still can only charge you with trespassing if you are on their grounds and did indeed clearly trespass where posted.
Often police (and security guards) are unaware of the lack of laws associated with cameras and will threaten arrest for resisting arrest, insubordination or trespass. Be polite and nice but firm in your knowledge of the law. Police cannot search, delete or confiscate cameras or other property simply because you are in public photographing.
If this was not the case, google street view would be sued daily (along with every surveillance camera).

[d_fife]

Originally posted by nibw
There is no law in the United States prohibiting photography in a public space. Any building, federal or otherwise is game. If a business or building or property posts a sign prohibiting photography, they still can only charge you with trespassing if you are on their grounds and did indeed clearly trespass where posted.
Often police (and security guards) are unaware of the lack of laws associated with cameras and will threaten arrest for resisting arrest, insubordination or trespass. Be polite and nice but firm in your knowledge of the law. Police cannot search, delete or confiscate cameras or other property simply because you are in public photographing.
If this was not the case, google street view would be sued daily (along with every surveillance camera).  

inside or outside federal building do you mean? if I am in a downtown city and the cop sees me photograph a federal building what would the cop do if I am doing it on the sidewalk???

[nibw]

The Federal building is a public building. You are on a sidewalk in public space. Since there is no jurisdiction on photography (and no laws preventing it), you can photograph the building. If you were to enter the property after they instructed you (or posted no trepassing signs) then they can charge you with trespass (though in most cases have to ask you to leave first).

[Marc82]

Burger King on Queen Street in Southington has a sign on their door saying video taping or taking pictures inside the building is strictly prohibited. And I find this odd as this is a BK one would want to take inside photos of.