An Idea......Please Read

[David]

I have noticed several postings on the board and other photo boards about photographers getting stopped by the police and private security. I had an idea a few days ago that I would like to pass along. I think it would be a good PR move if local photography clubs had a sit down meeting with there local law enforcement agencys to explain each others concerns. The local photo club can bring up the website that everyone likes to talk about. This way there will be an open dialog between photographers and the police. I think there is alot of miss understanding on everyones part on Homeland Security issues, the law and peoples rights. If the police understand our concerns and rights they can bring it back to the police department and let the different patrol divisions be aware. I think this can work. Any thoughts?

[mobilezen]

Dave, I think this is a fantastic idea and would love to sit in on such a meeting. Aside from amusement parks, zoos, and gardens...anything else like parks, neighborhoods and downtown shots tend to be grey areas and bother some people when shooting. Keep us posted if you want to head off a meeting like this.

[Rick Waldroup]

This is an excellent idea. What would be the particulars in trying to get this done? Anyone have any ideas?

This is a great thought, David.

[Steelsun]

Great in theory, but getting the police to agree to listen, and then disseminate the info to the rank & file would be a problem. Plus think of the number of agencies involved - your municipal police (each city/town), the constables (each precinct), the sheriff (county), DPS, Fed police (tons of them, various agencies), and even school & metro/transit cops.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Well I think David is thinking along the lines of the Dallas and Ft Worth Police and then in the case of Dallas someone with DART, the Constables office, Sherriffs Dept, Park Cities, Homeland Security and maybe Baylor and SMU police since they would be the most likely involved. A similar thing in Ft Worth the city, county, federal (yes there is a federal building in Ft Worth), and maybe TCU.

Here is a good question are the streets on the SMU campus public or private? (Or any college campus).

I think this is a great idea and then after say there are meetings in the 5 or 6 major cities in the state people can kind of get back here and give updates.

Really 90%+ of us do not want any trouble with the local Police when shooting pictures and it would help if more officers understood what all is the actual law.

If you are doing this in your city see if adjouning cities want to send a representative to the meeting.

Now it most likely won't be a meeting real soon because coordinating several departments getting together for even 1 hour is a nightmare so I would give them at least 6 weeks and to get the most photographers to show up I would say that it would need to be early evening or a Saturday.

[David]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Paul is right about 90% of us not being bothered by the police but I did notice this is becoming an problem so that is why I threw this out. I think if the photo community and law enforcement can come togeather on this then we can preserve type of photography like subway, buildings and city street photography that could become less and an lost art.

Steelsun-- I would like to disrespectfully disagree with you about this not working. It can work if you give it a try. In my idea it would be up to the photography club, group or union in each area to do this if they please. Will the police listen? Maybe and maybe not but it will show goodwill from the local photography community that we want to be able to work within the comfort of the police and the law but still practice our hobby. If a community group goes to the police or there council person with a problem 99% of the time they will listen and worth with a group for a solution. Dallas Police does this with all of there activist and community groups and becuase of this you dont have out of hand protests and everyone is happy.

If I were to set up this type of meeting in Dallas here is who I would invite and get involved. From this list you can talior it to your city.

Deputy Chief at Dallas Police Central Operations Division which includes the CBD.
Public Information and or community outreach Officer for Dallas Police.
Detective from Intelligence for Dallas Police.
Sgt or Officer from the Dallas JTTF Unit.
Public Information Officer and or Police Officer from DART and DART Police.
Community Outreach Officer or PIO from Dallas County
Officer or PIO from Federal Protective Service

I would not be concerned with US Secret Service as they handle protection and counterfeit issues. You could invite someone from the FBI but if you have someone from JTTF (Joint Terrorism Task Force) then that officer will be from the FBI office and will be able to communicate the meeting notes to the members of the JTTF which in most cities is members from the FBI, US Secret Service, US State Dept Diplomatic Security Service, DHS, and there are officers from each area police dept that makes up the task force.


I hope this helps. Any questions just post.

[mobilezen]

Even though my tenure in Dallas will be somewhat temporary, I will always have friends and family here and of course bring my camera. Dave, I would like to see something happen...This could definitely set precedence for any other local photography clubs as well as guides for local law enforcement. I am more willing to show up and participate if there is any kind of meeting or council meeting setup. Keep us posted!

[Casper]

Another idea is to write an article for the many law enforcement news papers. They are local and state wide, organization (union) and management oriented.

Steve

[metagore]

Grand idea. I hope that someone can do this and move things forward. I don't believe that there will be significant improvement unless it receives national attention though. There's too many individuals involved in what creates this situation and unless the message is communicated throughout the ranks, we'll still be at the mercy of the individual.

Until then... I'll be wearing my "I'm a Photographer... not a Terrorist" t-shirt and hope for the best :D

http://www.cafepress.com/buy/photogr...t_/fpt_/c_360/

http://www.digital-photo.com.au/2006...-photographer/

[raevyncent]

See this link , the nyclu is sueing NYC for violating a film makers rights, and wording the case as a precedent for filming and photographing from public places.