No photography here because…ummmmm

Security guard enforcing nonexistent law

Yet another example of security guards enforcing non existent law:

Before I could get the 1st shot off, Fare Inspector #32 started marching towards me, hands in the air, yelling at me to “STOP TAKING PICTURES!!” So I put away camera, walked towards him and answered his statement with a question. I asked him if he could site me the specific Muni code that prohibited a Translink Card carrying passenger from taking pictures of Muni Personal on Muni Property. He could not. Instead he responded that I “needed his permission” and demanded to see my “credentials” and the pictures on my camera. He added that in fact, if I was unwilling to turn over possession of my camera to him he would seize my camera and have me arrested.

From original article
h/t boing boing

Muni provides public transport in San Fransisco.

What is it with these people and is this just a post 9/11 thing? If Fare Inspector #32 had said that he didn’t want photographs taking of him I would be very sympathetic and would expect the photographer to respect the request, not due to any legal issue but rather a human one. If someone wants you to stop doing something because it makes them feel uncomfortable then stop if you are able. The inspector may possibly have legal grounds for such a request but I suspect not – but that is not the point and I am not a lawyer.

I do think that it is the duty of photographers to at least cause a nuisance with regard to this issue – if there is no obvious reason why photographs can be taken fire away until someone asks you to stop. When asked, ask for the law, ordinance, regulation or whatever behind the request, note the incident then write it up and send it to the relevant police dept or other body.

Since 9/11 men and sometimes women doing very routine, unskilled work have received a big boost in perceived authority since 9/11 providing that they are wearing a uniform that looks in some way military. I think that it is time to restore the balance and return these people to the status that the rest of us non uniformed types possess i.e. functionaries. I do realize that the last statement is not exactly PC.

This is line of least resistance stuff and if we. the photographers, cause additional workload for the departments that employ people like Fare Inspector #32. The outcome will likely be that the inspectors supervisor will tell him to make sure of his grounds before confromting people or better still a training session or two will be instigated.

9/11 was the best part of eight years ago it really is time for a return to a sensible but non paranoid reality.