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Re: ROBBED BY A COP— AGAIN!

Posted by BMTLines on Sat Feb 23 22:30:59 2008, in response to Re: ROBBED BY A COP— AGAIN!, posted by Train Dude on Sat Feb 23 22:16:23 2008.

Instead of the railroad properties having to defend themselves from the ambiguities of their own policies (that try yo balance everyone's needs), they will simply re-write those policies to ban all photography anywhere on system property. In the long run, it'll be cheaper.

Actually that won't be cheaper. There was a huge public outcry the last time the MTA tried to ban photography in the system and this time it would be even worse. New York's attempt to regulate street photography had the effect of organizing the amateur photographers and independent film makers. Should MTA ever try to do that again there will be HUGE protests - and believe me not just railfans.

NJT and Boston's MBTA both rescinded photo restrictions rather than fight the ACLU. The problem is that what they say officially to the public is not the way it is being enforced on the ground. To put it in perspective what the MTA is doing is actually a minor piece of the whole problem. Tourists have been harassed for taking pictures of the White House. Silver Springs Maryland tried to enforce a photo ban on one of its streets. A woman was harassed for taking pictures of Christmas decorations in Greenpoint. A photographer was told that taking pictures OF the Time Warner Building is illegal. Another photographer was told "no pictures - this is Bear Stearns block". Collectively all of this MUST STOP!

I do not see the individual employee or cop as the problem any more. I see it as an official problem - someone in authority is telling these employees and cops to harass photographers and the only organization that can address that effectively is the ACLU.

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