Baltimore Police, Don't take pictures

[ronocnikral]

Not what their supervisor says...but, I believe this man handled himself well. Apologies if this has been posted already...

YouTube - ‪Detained for photography in Baltimore‬‏

YouTube - ‪Detained for photography in Baltimore‬‏

YouTube - ‪Detained for photography in Baltimore - Part two‬‏

YouTube - ‪Detained for photography in Baltimore - Part two‬‏

[kenw]

welcome to my world.

[Jeff_Green]

When you are asked to provide identification, you provide identification. Is it really that complicated?

[ChrisTX]

Ignorance of the law is never a defense...it doesn't matter which side you're on.

[Some Idiot]

Originally Posted by ronocnikral

Not what their supervisor says...but, I believe this man handled himself well. Apologies if this has been posted already...

YouTube - ‪Detained for photography in Baltimore‬‏

YouTube - ‪Detained for photography in Baltimore - Part two‬‏

I agree that he handled it well

Originally Posted by Jeff_Green

When you are asked to provide identification, you provide identification. Is it really that complicated?

LOL - you could add the words "or else" to the end of your sentence and really send a message...."When you are asked to provide identification, you provide identification" or else suffer the consequences, stupid civilian :)

[SCone]

Seems like they gave him every chance...

[Jeff_Green]

Obviously we won't know what would have happened, but I feel that with their demeanor and how they were calmly talking to him, they would have let him walk away if he provided identification like he should have.

Now they were kinda silly throwing laws out like the wiretap.

[TxLerman]

I don't think that the person handled themself very well at all. I can understand the MTA police officers frustration considering that the guy was very uncooperative, even if he was not breaking the law. If they ask you for an ID, show them an ID. His experience with the Amtrak Officer was much different because he presented his ID.

[deep_creek]

he was under no obligation to present his ID. the MTA were wrong in asking, that is why they eventually had to quit harassing him and let him pass.

[Jeff_Green]

How were they wrong in asking for him to identify himself? If a police officer asks you for your identification, you show it. The only reason you don't is to be a prick... and get the treatment that this dude got.

[RobbieRakestraw]

"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin - 1818.

[donlfaulkner]

Originally Posted by deep_creek

he was under no obligation to present his ID. the MTA were wrong in asking, that is why they eventually had to quit harassing him and let him pass.

He was under obligation to present his ID to the police officer when the officer asked for it. Where do these yoyo's come from. It seems to me he had nothing constructive to do and was just looking for a confrontation.

[TxLerman]

Originally Posted by deep_creek

he was under no obligation to present his ID. the MTA were wrong in asking, that is why they eventually had to quit harassing him and let him pass.

In Texas, I believe you can be charged with failure to ID to a Peace Officer. The Harris County District Clerk's website lists all people that were charged with a crime and the Failure to ID to Peace Officer is a frequent charge. The point is that the guy did ID himself. He did verbally give his name and address. He just refused to present his ID, which is kinda dumb on his part. The cops did not know if he was telling the truth and giving false information is a crime. If you're willing to say your name and address, then just present your ID.

The photographer was right to that he was not committing a crime. He just gave the MTA cops a polite but hard time. But when he cooperated with the Amtrack cop, he had no problem at all. A little cooperation goes a long way.

[deep_creek]

if photographer was committing a crime (trespassing/ moving violation/ loitering/ etc...) then an ID must be presented. If not, failing to present it is in itself a violation. If I'm correct, this all falls under the 'unreasonable search and seizure' thing. in this case MTA had no authority to ask him for it (he was in a public place doing nothing illegal). that is why in the end they had to let him go without ever showing it. if they had the authority to do so, the photographer would have been escorted to jail, booked for offense (if there was one) and also slapped with failure to show ID.

[David_3]

Photo dispute: MTA disavows photography curbs - Baltimore Sun