Incredible. But you actually had an easy time, compared to some. Have you heard about planespotters and trainspotters - some of them on organized tours - in various countries being arrested for spying by police? Or, worse, arrested by air force base security, even though they had permission from the commanding officer? (Word simply didn't get to everyone.)
I live in a very scenic US town. A model railroad enthusiast I know in another town who is not familiar with Frankfort (not named after the German city) once accused me of taking photos of a model town. I often take photos, from both street level and high vantage points, all publicly accessible. So far I haven't had any experience like this, but the thought has occurred to me that it could happen. Especially since I sometimes set up a camera with a huge telephoto or zoom lens on a tripod at a high vantage point, aimed at one of the capital buildings.
I've read (in photo magazines and elsewhere) of folks here in the US being arrested for taking photos of public buildings from public areas, in plain sight, during the day. Somehow, the cop on the street has the idea that this has been declared illegal, and has to be dissuaded of this delusion by his/her superiors.
You did the right thing. Being polite and cooperative (but don't be too eager; that's "suspicious") will usually work. And even if it doesn't, a police officer who overreacts and actually does arrest you will be even more embarrassed when lambasted by a superior for the arrest.
Fortunately, it wasn't me who got nearly arrested, but that co-worker. However, I had some similar conversation this year in San Francisco during a fursuit photo shooting at the Golden Gate Bridge with an officer from the bridge police, one of the highway patrol and one of the SF PD...
One strange thing about the US legal system that most (continental) Europeans don't know is that legislation, administration and executive are strictly separated. You've done everything the law requires, you've got permission from the authorities, but the sheriff can still bar you from doing it. And there is not much you can do about it, apart from filing a complaint. What strikes me odd is that it doesn't concern most Americans, even when they've become the victim of such abuse of power.
On the other hand, German police is also gaining more and more power these days and only very few here complain, either. Legal security, one of our key location factors, is going down the drain here rapidly.
I've been saying for twenty years that the Twenty-first Century would have more in common with the Nineteenth than with the Twentieth. I mean, c'mon, the Balkans have re-balkanized!
Comments
stickmaker.livejournal.com 16 years, 9 months ago
Incredible. But you actually had an easy time, compared to some. Have you heard about planespotters and trainspotters - some of them on organized tours - in various countries being arrested for spying by police? Or, worse, arrested by air force base security, even though they had permission from the commanding officer? (Word simply didn't get to everyone.)
I live in a very scenic US town. A model railroad enthusiast I know in another town who is not familiar with Frankfort (not named after the German city) once accused me of taking photos of a model town. I often take photos, from both street level and high vantage points, all publicly accessible. So far I haven't had any experience like this, but the thought has occurred to me that it could happen. Especially since I sometimes set up a camera with a huge telephoto or zoom lens on a tripod at a high vantage point, aimed at one of the capital buildings.
I've read (in photo magazines and elsewhere) of folks here in the US being arrested for taking photos of public buildings from public areas, in plain sight, during the day. Somehow, the cop on the street has the idea that this has been declared illegal, and has to be dissuaded of this delusion by his/her superiors.
You did the right thing. Being polite and cooperative (but don't be too eager; that's "suspicious") will usually work. And even if it doesn't, a police officer who overreacts and actually does arrest you will be even more embarrassed when lambasted by a superior for the arrest.
Link | Replywoelfisch.livejournal.com 16 years, 9 months ago
Fortunately, it wasn't me who got nearly arrested, but that co-worker. However, I had some similar conversation this year in San Francisco during a fursuit photo shooting at the Golden Gate Bridge with an officer from the bridge police, one of the highway patrol and one of the SF PD...
One strange thing about the US legal system that most (continental) Europeans don't know is that legislation, administration and executive are strictly separated. You've done everything the law requires, you've got permission from the authorities, but the sheriff can still bar you from doing it. And there is not much you can do about it, apart from filing a complaint. What strikes me odd is that it doesn't concern most Americans, even when they've become the victim of such abuse of power.
On the other hand, German police is also gaining more and more power these days and only very few here complain, either. Legal security, one of our key location factors, is going down the drain here rapidly.
Link | Replystickmaker.livejournal.com 16 years, 9 months ago
I think I remember someone - probably you - posting about that.
Link | Replycheetah-spotty.livejournal.com 16 years, 9 months ago
Moral Panic.
Back to the dark ages.
Link | Replystickmaker.livejournal.com 16 years, 9 months ago
I've been saying for twenty years that the Twenty-first Century would have more in common with the Nineteenth than with the Twentieth. I mean, c'mon, the Balkans have re-balkanized!
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