Let's Send a Message to the Metra Police!

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

The article on Page 12 of the August '07 issue of TRAINS (Metra detains, questions railfans) was very disturbing. I am perhaps as big an admirer of the Constitution of the United States as much as I am of the railroad scene. Perhaps that’s why I am so upset.

Last night I had an idea that is really not too terribly difficult and might just send a message: It’s kind of like a flash mob. Flash mobs are kind of the rage in London and other places where people text message and email each other telling the details of when and where to be at a very specific time. When that time comes, they will all do something like dance to the tunes on their iPods or scream as loud as they can or start shking hands with everyone they see. It’s not illegal but it drives the authorities nuts. After five min. or so it’s over and everyone disperses.

I am not out to drive the authorities nuts, just to make a point of excercising my constitutional rights. I propose that a date a few months in the future be chosen and everyone and anyone who can get to the Chicago area show up with their cameras, scanners and white T-Shirts that say “I am not a terrorist!” on them. I think an excellent place to gather would be the Vermont St. station in Blue Island and then the “mob”, having procured $5.00 weekend passes, could ride the Metra system all day, obeying laws and excercising their rights-en mass. Perhaps we could visit the station on the UP line (I think it was) where the fellows ran into trouble a few years ago.

Any thoughts from anyone out there as to how we could better get the word out for anybody who values watching trains as well as the US Constitution~~?~~

2

That station you are referring to is Morton Grove, on the Milwaukee District. That was when they had the 2 F40Cs still on Metra in service due to failures with MP36s. I have also heard Metra has thrown people out of Galewood , also on the Milwaukee District, on several different locations. It seems the majority of the problems with Metra police occur on the Milwaukee lines, as well as at the downtown terminals, especially Ogilvie Transportation Center (OTC). I have never heard of people getting thrown out of Blue Island.

3

As a member of the Calgary Flash Mobbers, I think that’s a great idea! If possible, we should get it happening at the same time in every city where we can get more than 5 people together to do it. Heck, we might even make the news!

4

well taking pics and leaving footprints and good manners works for me.if not there are other places for taking train pictures.

stay safe

joe

5

Not a real smart idea after what has happened in Scotland this weekend.

6

It is my understanding that Metra’s policy permits photographing trains from their station platforms provided the photographers don’t get in the way or interfere with operations so I agree the article in the August, 2007 Trains about the Metra police detaining and questioning railfans who were photographing trains from their station platforms, and from a bridge (which is public access) is disturbing.

While “flash mobs” or “photograph-ins” of Metra trains might send some sort of a message to Metra, I’m not sure if that tactic is legal even if it is conducted on publically accessible property. A better message to Metra would be to widely publicize the recent detention of the British railfans and the hassling of railfans who have photographed trains from public access property.

7

Hmmm, so you are sending them a message of Here we are, come arrest us! Sounds like you might prove your point through civil disobedience, and go to jail in the process, or perhaps you will just go to jail. You guys go on ahead, don’t wait for me…

LC

8

In this case, flash mobs aren’t the answer to a few over zealous transit cops abusing their authority. It would only give them reason to call in the local police, SWAT, National Guard, etc. on account of a “full blown riot in progress.” It was also mentioned in the article that one Metra officer saw a railfan shooting a video of an inbound express train from public property and told the fan that he was tempted to make the person filming the train erase his own videotape.

Metra clearly needs to reign in these few bad apples for reeducation or replacement.

9

Perhaps a couple of you need to re-read my original post. Nowhere was civil disobedience mentioned. On the contrary; I reccomend obeying the letter of the law to a tee.

I am also keenly aware of what happened in Scotland and Picadilly Circus this weekend. In my opinion, the terrorist operations that were uncovered and/or poorly executed in Britian this weekend seem more like the “evil-doers” trying to get a feel for the new PM’s reaction or to embarrass him.

What a couple of you guys are doing is making the irrational leap that National Security Paranoids love to partake in: “Picture Taking=Terrorism.” I suppose Saddam Hussein/Iraq=9/11 too, eh?

10

I did read your original post, and I know that civil disobediance is not mentioned. The trouble is that transit police who aren’t properly trained, or think they know more than their chief does about security are the ones making that irrational leap of picture taking equaling terrorism that you mentioned. Who’s to say that they wouldn’t freak out over the flash mob you described? It’s an interesting, way of getting your message across, and if you and your friends can successfully pull it off, then more power to you. The trouble with police (transit or local), is you never know how they’re feeling until you unintentionally raise the ire of one.

11

I’ll pass.

The goal of this – more or less, however you’d like to distort color it – is not to flex your freedoms. It is to antagonize show up the police, which always is a mistake.

I’ve never had a problem. I’ve never heard of anyone being bothered on the BNSF Racetrack or UP West line.

Whatever you do, you’re not speaking for me.

12

Cris_261, you are right about how you never know how the cops are feeling until you unintentionally raise their ire. A few “Barney Fife” types can’t be representitive of the entire Metra police force but what is frustrating is that Metra spokesman Tom Miller, according to Steve Glischinski’s article, said that the agency felt it had dealt with the situation in the appropriate manner but declined to give details. Why not?

Being a railroad cop is no easy job, I’m sure. They deserve our respect. Why must a few among their ranks erode that respect by being overzealous abusers of our constitutional rights?

As far as any planned “mob” is concerned, I’d be happy with ten to fifteen dudes with cameras and a day watching and riding trains in and around America’s greatest city. If, along the way, we made a few cops realize we had the right to do what we were doing; that’d be great!

13

Poppa_zit, I have no doubt that you mind your own business and go about your train-watching in an unobtrusive manner. I have no reason to believe otherwise. Chances are that you probably won’t have trouble with the Metra police based on past experience. I hope that continues to be the norm for you. How would you feel if you did, though?

Do you think the gentlemen in Morton Grove back in '05 expected trouble? How about the gentleman from Iowa on May 3? I don’t think the gentlemen from England came all the way to Illinois to be hassled by the cops.

Apparently empathy is not something that can be expected from everyone. I’m just a bleeding heart, i guess.

By your reaction, you’d think I was advocating a replay of the '68 Democratic convention or for people to lay down on the tracks in protest. Chill-out, man!

14

I’ve had a problem on the Racetrack. The Ticket Agent informed me I was not allowed

to observe trains from the Stone Av. Station with my Grandson. I calmly informed her she was mistaken. She threatened to call the Police, I informed her I’ll be waiting. They never came.

I called Metra they informed me she was indeed mistaken as long as we were’nt on the ROW.

15

"Poppa_zit, I have no doubt that you mind your own business and go about your train-watching in an unobtrusive manner. I have no reason to believe otherwise. Chances are that you probably won’t have trouble with the Metra police based on past experience. I hope that continues to be the norm for you. How would you feel if you did, though?

Do you think the gentlemen in Morton Grove back in '05 expected trouble? How about the gentleman from Iowa on May 3? I don’t think the gentlemen from England came all the way to Illinois to be hassled by the cops.

Apparently empathy is not something that can be expected from everyone. I’m just a bleeding heart, i guess.

By your reaction, you’d think I was advocating a replay of the '68 Democratic convention or for people to lay down on the tracks in protest. Chill-out, man!"

notch8/air, a rebellious attitude starts right there in your subject line “Let’s send a message to the Metra Police!” That would be aggressive behavior, yes? And I refuse to discuss hypothetical situations, as is suggested, i.e., “if I was to have trouble with the Metra Police.” Thinking like that just gets people angry and confrontational for no reason.

While we hear an occasional story about police vs. railfans in Chicago, truth is no one has been arrested and charged. When you stop to consider how many people spend time taking railroad pictures in Chicago, I’d say those cases represent a very tiny percentage – and maybe we don’t know the entir

16

There are two sets of vocabulary being used here and no communication is occuring.

In this instance, “FLASH MOB” is the term in use. To some, this is an impromptu group of railfans that are riding together and taking photos of their favorite subject.

To others the word MOB is defined in the Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary as:

“\n [L mobile vulgus vacillating crowd] 1: MASSES, RABBLE 2: a large disorderly crowd 3: a criminal set : GANG”

A second definition is:

“to crowd about and attack or annoy.”

Now, I ask… do YOU, those who advocate this “Flash MOB”, really want to be associated with “RABBLE” or “a large disorderly crowd”, or “a criminal set”? Or to “attack”!?

That IS what the word MEANS!

A little reading between the lines of the original post does show a desire to “annoy”, NOT that you are just wanting to express your “non-criminal” activity of taking photos for your personal “pursuit of happiness”. It shows a desire to disrupt the assigned duties of those that are charged with protecting YOU.

To start, you really should PICK A DIFFERENT NAME for what you are wanting to do; more people will be interested.

Call it a “Rail Photo Outting”. NO, wait! That won’t work, today, “Outting” implies an involuntary revelation of sexual preferences… okay… Call it a “Impromptu Railfan Photo Convention”.

Then, I strongly advise that you DROP the CONFRONTATIONAL ATTITUDE of your proposal.

It IS your RIGHT to take photos of publicly visible places and things, from public places.

It is NOT your right to obstruct a police officer nor to incite riot nor cause difficulties for other citizens.

It is your RIGHT for “PEACEFULL assembly”.

But, "Civil Dissobediance&

17

Wouldn’t you just be inviting a situation where Metra and the media could paint all rail photographers and railfans in Chicago as nutballs? I can’t see how that would haelp anything.

18

[quote user=“notch8/air”]

Being a railroad cop is no easy job, I’m sure. They deserve our respect.

[\quote]

[(-D][(-D][(-D]

Respect must be earned, it is not simply granted to someone just because they have a tin star on their chest.

19

your constitutional rights, to do what? there is no rights violated, the cops are doing what they are paid to do. and if you are up there loitering then you are treespassing , the platforms you talk about are private property. they are open to the public to get on and off trains not to give you a place to take pictures, and you and your mobish way will get you arrested, and if i am around ill help them. foamers i hate i wont wave at foamers i report foamers, the few railfans i know ill wave at and never bother them, they earned the respect. there isnt a railroader on this site that would run joe or mookie popa zit, to name a few off from where they would be watching but if ask to move because the boss said make the buffs move they would not fight us they just come back another day . learn to bend everyone has lost some freedom for now due to 911 only because the have no idea where the terrorist might be, me i rather them be safe than the rest of us sorry

20

If, and only if Chicago is like Dallas as far as the transit cops go, then they have just as much power as the sheriff officers do. What you are talking about doing is going to have you put in jail. I can remeber the BNSF having all cab drivers report anyone on the bridges over Galesburg yard right after 911. If you want to act like a mob, then fine but you are your mob friends will get your self arrested. I am sure the Chicago Transit police have plenty of people to take you on. Instead of acting like a kid about it, why dont you call Metra, and tell them that you would like to come out and take some photos. I am sure they would be happy to assist you in that way. I know here on the DART rail we have signs posted at just about every station, or at least 2 stations that I know of that say no photgraphs without permission. These signs are at Mockingbird Station before the tunnel, and at City Place Station inside the tunnel. So many things changed right after 911 and there is still a threat to our commuter and light rail lines. If you have a problem with the ways things are run then why dont you go to the council meeting and state your opinion. Other wise I hope that if you have a job your boss understands why you are spending the night in Jail for something that is very simple.