Threat of Photographers in Union Station

[J Eddington]

An entertaining story on the 'threat' of photographers in Union Station and tourists being hassled by security despite the lack of a ban on said photography.

The best part is a local Fox affiliate interviewing an Amtrak representative about the fact photography is allowed and a security guard arrives to tell them to stop filming!

http://www.myfoxdc.com/myfox/pages/H...d=1.1.1&sflg=1

Be sure to check out the related article Eleanor Holmes Norton's Reaction To Photo Flap. I like this lady!

[ajl3photo]

That's hilarious!

[kenw]

It's been a routine hassle for those of us involved in railroad photography altho it has diminished significantly in the last few years. At first it was almost any law enforcement person who would claim such a restriction, but now it is pretty much limited to the renta-cops who don't have the longevity on the job or training to know otherwise. They're usually good folks who just don't know. (scary, yes, but hey...you get what you pay for). The "guard" in the video is a classic example: all bluffin' and no stuffin'.

I've been questioned by Harris County, Ft Bend County, Montgomery County, HPD, Metro, Tx DPS, BNSF and UP police all without any consequences. I appreciate their vigilance and realize they have a thankless job.

I've been hassled (note the different term) and yelled at by RR employees and (worse) by ordinary citizens who have no clue as to what they are talking about. Those clowns often get some "feedback" from me.....or not, as most of them are too stupid to understand anyway.

Since I carry a few RR Police Officers' cards in my wallet, I once dialed one and handed my phone to the employee who was trying to tell me that taking pics of train from anywhere at anytime was illegal. He didn't say much as he got in his truck and left....

If one of the renta-cops threatens to call the police, allow them to do so without being beligerant. The renta-cops cannot arrest you anyway, and the real cops are (for the most part) aware of the actual laws by now. They will either explain the nuances of the law to them when they call, or in person if they decide to show up.