Can't take pics on Boston T

[arthur]

I am in Boston, and discovered that you are not allowed to take pics anywhere in the subway system (or bus system even). I had seen so many iconoclastic subway pics, that I thought of course it would be okay, because everyone else seems to be doing it.

I'm not a pj, but I figured this was the most appropriate category.

I think it is lame when more and more places become off-limits to photographers.

While at the same time, our privacy is increasingly invaded by the govt.

[babybluetx23]

Its a knee jerk reaction to Sept 11th. You are photographing a major form of transportation that could potentially bring an entire CITY to its knees, ect ect.

[arthur]

they should ban photos in airports, airplanes, bridges, national parks, anywhere near govt. buildings, the alamo, hospitals, etc.

if I can't take photos the terrorists have won!!!

[David]

In Dallas you cant take pictures of the DART light rail without a police escort, background check and permit.

I was reading an article in a security magazine I get and it talked about how the photographers in NYC protested. I was proud of them for standing up for there rights.

[Michelle Allmon]

they should ban photos in airports, airplanes, bridges, national parks, anywhere near govt. buildings, the alamo, hospitals, etc.

SHHHHHHH!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Ever since the terrorists have been blowing up busses/trains/pedicabs the local transportation systems around the country have gone overboard on limiting pictures taken of and from their systems. (You can't even shoot a pic outside of the window from a Train or Buss!) Guess they think that you will find some super secret hiding place to stash a bomb inside a bus/train.

[dreemes]

They want to stop us honest people from taking pics and we are doing it out front and open for all to see but with today's tech a terrorist could take all the pics they want and never be scene.

[TxLerman]

I have always wondered. Do security people / police really think that if the terrorists can not photograph it then they can not blow it up? Is this a realistic expectation? Does this mean the that key to security is ban all forms of visual recording? What type of recording will be banned next in the name of security? Sketching / Painting? Audio? Writing?

[blonboy]

Originally Posted by TxLerman

I have always wondered. Do security people / police really think that if the terrorists can not photograph it then they can not blow it up? Is this a realistic expectation? Does this mean the that key to security is ban all forms of visual recording? What type of recording will be banned next in the name of security? Sketching / Painting? Audio? Writing?

This was actually the premise behind a movie i watched recently called "Equilibrium". It stars Christian Bale (batman begins) among others and is based on a society having absolutely ZERO emotion and banning that which causes emotion.

Its actually a really good movie. its been dubbed "the Matrix meets THX1138 "

.....not to get off topic...

[David]

Originally Posted by TxLerman

I have always wondered. Do security people / police really think that if the terrorists can not photograph it then they can not blow it up? Is this a realistic expectation? Does this mean the that key to security is ban all forms of visual recording? What type of recording will be banned next in the name of security? Sketching / Painting? Audio? Writing?

Yes! In most of the raids that the US Military, Mossad, FBI and the police have done on terror cells they have found pictures and video of the targets that they were going to target. The terrorist will film outside, inside and if they can they will film or photograph the type of security being used at that target.

My company that I work for trains security for the religious community and buildings. We have found that before we start to train already established security guards at a mega church for example they have no clue on anti terror measures and security. They only have the knowledge that they have is from TV or the movies. Alot of places and not only churches hire security people that are not trained to do the work they were hired to do. Security guards are the first line of defense in preventing crime, terror and providing good public relations.

My company uses the same training that the Israeli use to train security guards in Israel. This same training is the same training that police use to train homeland security officers. I think the Israeli training model for security guards should be required for all security guards in the United States.

[PeteQ]

Originally Posted by David

In Dallas you cant take pictures of the DART light rail without a police escort, background check and permit.

Where is that written? When I contacted the DPD regarding an incident I had they said there were no restrictions.

[David]

Originally Posted by PeteQ

Where is that written? When I contacted the DPD regarding an incident I had they said there were no restrictions.

You contacted the wrong agency. You need to contact DART Police. There are posters and signs in the trains and at the stations.

http://www.dart.org/DARTPolice.asp

I hope your incident was not bad to you or your family in anyway

[PeteQ]

I didn't see anything on their site that says photos are restricted. My incident was while on a public sidewalk and the dart train happened to be in the background of image and wasn't an issue when the DPD officer viewed it.

The run-in had absolutely nothing to do with dart so that was just a general question by itself. My question was to DPD about street shooting restrictions, if there were any etc., and I was told by the desk sergeant and later the internal affairs officer hat there were no restrictions to general photography in Dallas. The restrictions are if you are specifically shooting security cameras, etc. That's where their discretion comes in, and that makes some sense. I mean really, even the "government buildings" blanket cover folks like to throw out there doesn't really hold either. I mean how many perp walks would we see then? Courthouse steps are what they are and we even had a model shoot outside the Tarrant County Courthouse....

[TxLerman]

Originally Posted by David

Yes! In most of the raids that the US Military, Mossad, FBI and the police have done on terror cells they have found pictures and video of the targets that they were going to target. The terrorist will film outside, inside and if they can they will film or photograph the type of security being used at that target.

I understand that the terror cell raids have shown that terrorists take lots of photographs of potential targets. I realize that this is very unsettling. However, the focus of my question was do people really think that terrorists will go away if they and everyone else can not take photographs? In other words, is the key to security just to ban all forms of visual recording? What would stop the terrorists from sitting on park bench or in a chair in a lobby with a note pad and take lots of written notes? Or should we ban the more modern situation, sitting in chair typing away on a laptop as I am currently doing from the gate area at an airport? Should we ban note taking as well in public places? What about people walking around with digital audio recording devices (dictaphones)? Should we require people to get licenses or permits to own and use a camera in the name of security?

I am just trying to come to form an opinion on whether or not restricting photography in public places will really provide security or if terrorists will simply adapt and continue with their plans?

What do you think? Will restrictions on photography really provide security or just an illusion of security?

David

[LadyShutterBug]

1. I took pics of the subway when I was in Boston. oops.

2. I got razzed by a Metro cop in downtown Houston for taking a pic of a bride and groom on a rail platform near the ticket machine. Right. A terrorist would decide it was a good idea to dress someone up like a bride and groom in order to inconspicuously take pics on the rain so he could blow it up. YEAH.