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Re: MTA Contradictory Communication! (PLEASE READ; NYCLU Needs Your Help!)

Posted by BMTLines on Fri Feb 22 10:51:18 2008, in response to Re: ROBBED BY A COP— AGAIN! (PLEASE READ; NYCLU Needs Your Help!), posted by TimLawNYC on Fri Feb 22 02:38:27 2008.

Tim

I am very pleased to see that the NYCLU is involved in this issue. As a photographer of both rail and non-rail subjects I cc'd the NYCLU on letters I had sent to MOFTB concerning the proposed regulations and was pleasantly surprised when I received a personalized response rather than a form letter. That reminds me - I have to check the expiration date on my membership card and make sure I renew ;-) I actually joined because of the photography issue. I feel that I may not agree with everything but you are the only hope for protecting the freedoms we have.

What is adding to the confusion with respect to Grand Central Terminal is the contradictory information we are receiving from the MTA. Someone sent an email to the MTA requesting clarification and received the following response:

Many things changed within our mass transit system as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on our country. Regarding photography, photographic images of the interior of the terminal are permitted in the confines of the main terminal area as they have always been. You may use your camera, or a hand-held camcorder to take as many images as you wish although you must get a permit from Metro-North Corporate Relations if you intend to use a tripod.

The area past the track entrance and on the platforms is restricted by the railroad and by security mandate. In that area, you must request access in advance and be escorted by a designated member of the Metro-North Corporate Media Relations staff. You may call the Corporate Media Relations Department at 212-672-1204 to request permission and obtain permits.


This apparently contradicts the understanding we had based on the following correspondence:

photog1_Page_1

photog1_Page_3

photog1_Page_4

Although the letters originating from the MTA and the NYCLU address the LIRR - the memo issued to the MTAPD INCLUDES Metro North. On one hand they are assuring the NYCLU that no permits are necessary anywhere for amateur photography and on the other hand insisting on permits for Grand Central. Furthermore I have not seen any signs prohibiting photography - people find out about the "rules" after the fact when they are confronted or detained.

Then comes this email in response to an amateur photographer (who happened to be an attorney):

natlguardphoto

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