Homeland Securtity and Photography

[ironhorse]

Homeland Security finally directs its officers to respect the rights of photographers to photograph federal buildings from public property. The article and copy of the directive from the New York Times:http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/0...ture/?emc=eta1

[dmr]

It's about {f-bomb}ing time!

[sepiareverb]

Originally Posted by dmr

It's about {f-bomb}ing time!

+1. Good news on this front is LONG overdue.

[Spleenrippa]

Good to hear. I am happy for my southern neighbors... Especially since increased paranoia (and everything else) in the USA eventually trickles northward.

[shashinka-ichiban]

It's not going to matter or mean much of anything unless the rent a guards get the message. It has not historically been the actual federal officers that have been the problem as so much as the rental cop who just doesn't care.

[sepiareverb]

For all the complaining that goes on when someone is accosted, this good news is getting very little attention?

[Paul_C]

Originally Posted by sepiareverb

For all the complaining that goes on when someone is accosted, this good news is getting very little attention?

Anger spurs interest and action better than contentment.

[monochromejrnl]

I posted about it yesterday, here:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/foru...d.php?t=100879

No interest. The linked settlement is an interesting read.

[SolaresLarrave]

Well, I downloaded it and intend to print it and carry it with in my bags. Someone's brain finally worked!

[jan normandale]

"...While the settlement will benefit photographers working around federal buildings, the deal also specifies that officers are allowed to ask the name of the photographer and the purpose of his pictures. The officers are also allowed to take any "lawful steps to ascertain whether unlawful activity, or reconnaissance for the purpose of a terrorist or unlawful act, is being undertaken" according to the Washington Post.

......
If you read the decision there's not much that's changed in my opinion. There is still the right to stop photographers and state that "you are taking photographs for what purpose?” and the implication is "you better have an answer that I like…"

The “fat lady ain’t sung yet” folks!

[jan normandale]

Originally Posted by photomoof

Rather my take, the police are seldom the friend of the photographer. If anything this ruling is even worse than nothing, in that it strengthens the right of police to bother photographers.

Thats my take too Fred.. Police and security firms got what they want. Now its a written decision from what I can determine.