Today I was sitting in my truck legally parked on the side of a city street. I was taking pictures of a train doing some switching when a Geo Tracker pulled up behind me. There were no markings of any kind on it. Thinking nothing of that because there are businesses on the other side of the street I paid no attention when someone stepped out. A few seconds later a pair of ladies (mid 40’s) in plainclothes is standing by my door.
They said “We’re from “X” company security and need to see your ID. You can’t take pictures of the train you’re watching because it’s servicing a local industry.” That the train, at the moment behind vegetation, wasn’t in my field of view didn’t matter apparently. Nor was it my point. I explained that “I’m waiting for the train to be in the open, away from any buildings for a clear field of view.” They both repeated that “You can’t take pictures of any trains or industries in the area because of those 9/11security concerns, you know”. I said “I wasn’t taking pictures of any industry, just the train. I’m also on public property and have a right to be here.” I asked them for their names and ID’s which they refused to show me. They kept repeating that I can’t take any pictures of trains or industries and then started saying they’d have the PD called and I’d be questioned/arrested for “resisting a peace officer”. I suggested “How about I call them and they see who you are? I’m in my personal vehicle and in a public place breaking no law. I’m not leaving.” They got back in their vehicle and started apparently talking on a cell phone and a portable radio. The train came in the open and I took my pictures.
I then called the PD and they said they weren’t aware of any law but they’d send an officer by to see what was going on. Five minutes later the Tracker left. A couple minutes
Well, the fact that they refused to show your their identification upon request says volumes.
So you called the police on THEM. Good for you!
And might I add that their telling you that you would “be questioned/arrested for ‘resisting a peace officer’” unless you complied probably constitutes impersonating a police officer on their part. Because industrial security people have no authority on public property.
I would have called 911 right then, while they were there and waited for their response! Here in Buffalo, NYSSR this tactic is NOT[B)][:(!] recommended since the BPD[V] is likely to join suspicious security people harassing you![:(]
Just curious. I have seen many of your postings, a littany of vitriolic complaints about anything political/social in your locale.
You say you live in Buffalo. Canada is a bicycle ride away. If things are really so bad in the New York “Soviet Socialist Republic” as you call it – why don’t you just move to Canada? Or would you feel lost if there was nothing to complain about?
Well, first of all, they probably wouldn’t have bothered me because I have a red lightbar on my truck.
That said, I think the first thing I would have asked was to see some ID. Picking up the cell phone and dialing 9-1-1 would probably been a close second, although if I was in my home county, I would have dialed the “private” number we in the fire service have to the 9-1-1 center. I know most of those people…
Good move, and as was suggested, follow it up, but don’t be a pest - you aren’t pressing charges, after all.
Believe it or not, it’s worse there! The REAL reason I can’t go to Canada? I am a white guy! They want Pakistanis, Indians (Hindu variety, not “Indigenous Canadians”-I can’t make that one up!)and people too risky to be allowed into the US, until they sneak in along the border, that is. The last thing Canada wants is a white male whose skills do not materially aid the growth of [censored]! New York acts like a soviet socialist republic, and that’s what I’ll call it until[censored] Poppa, be glad you do not live here!!
You did the right thing. I can’t imagine any security officer using a Geo Tracker especially one without emergency lights on the roof, on the dashboard, or in the grille. Did you get their license plate number?
For Poppa Zit: Some plant security officers may be deputized law enforcement officers, but when they confront you on public property they have to show a badge or an ID.
Kudos for handling the situation as you did. I have taken to carrying the October 2006 issue of “TRAINS” with me, which has the article by Walter E. Zullig Jr., I have not had to opportunity to use it as of yet but will do so if the need arises. Concerning the comment on not pressing charges, I do think that the area of impersonating an officer is important and should be pursued. Definitely do the followup and be persistent. Also, you did not reveal the company in your statement, which is fine, but it appears that you know who it is, and I would suggest that you contact them and maybe include a copy of the afore mentioned article. They need to know if their people are not up to “code”.
I agree with Goober but a far more sobering possibility exists because long ago I found myself in a similar circumstance. We all rightfully assume that these aggressive wannabe goons are what they appear to be in that they have some legal ground, at least in their own minds, to “enforce” or “correct” behavior. I came across an individual who tried to play a similar game with me and after checking this individual out with the local authorities it turned out the guy was a self appointed lunatic…an umarked Geo and their behavior is a good indicator this may be a similar case…these days you never know…
First, let me say that I always abide by the law regarding tresspassing when I am out photographing.
Every time one of these schmucks that watches way too much Fox “news” gets in my face about photgraphing anything, the VERY FIRST thing I do is grab my copy of the Photographer’s Rights and suggest to them that they read it while I am calling the police. I tell them “If you are in the right, I will go to jail, although I’m not sure what offense you would be charging me with, but if you are in the wrong, YOU will go to jail for harassment and coercion”.
None of them, and I mean NO ONE, has ever stayed long enough for me to complete the call.
