brokeweb Loc: Philadelphia

I know. I have been through it. Art shows especially..and some art museums as well. Lots of times people sell photos of other artist's work. Sell the photos overseas where they copy the art and sell it for cheap on the street. Particularly sculpture.

Another thing is that welcome to the post 911 world. It's self explanitory.

Another thing is the goddamn lawyers! They manipulate the law for prophet. The civil courts are ruining the legal system. Look at pro-football. The lawyers are talking ex-players into suing the league after they retire for contiguos injuries the ex-players are suffering. Should I sue my highschool because I wake up with a stiff knee? Bottom Feeders they are..The lawyers I mean.

I wouldn't let them arrest you. Most likely the only thing that you will get out of it is a criminal misdemeanor slapped on your record which could prevent you from getting a job. Or you might loose your camera, or have it returned to you broken.

sudzmonn Loc: here , there , everywhere

W0W , what a shame Big Grouch ~ you're fighting a tough system , and unfortunately I'd question why they would act like that ~ what are they hiding or trying to keep you from seeing ! Something must be going on !

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

I've encountered similiar problems which were alleviated tremendiously by joining the IFPO (international freelance photographers organization). You can purchase from them very official looking credentials(with your photo on them)which can be verified over the internet. This alone has gained me access to many areas to photograph where police would normally chase one away.

rickfinn2013 Loc: Mesa ,Az

The A.C.U.L. has taken quite a few police dept to court.there is nothing in the Homeland Security act article 41 or 42 that says you can not take photos.
Not sure if it would work but you could send a letter to the Mayor about what happen and let them know you plan on letting the media and A.C.U.L know what his Police dept did.Mayors do not like bad publicity
Just a thought

stevenelson Loc: Pauls Valley, Oklahoma

http://www.aipress.com/ IFPO website

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

BULL: you have rights and it is backed up by a warning letter to police telling of your rights as a photographer.
We have been over this before, opinions are opinions, that is fun, but DOJ Federal trumps all other cards.
Special Litigation Section - PHB
JMS:TDM:RJO
950 Pennsylvania Ave, NW DJ 207-35-10 Washington DC 20530
http://www.scribd.com/doc/93788886/USDOJ-CivilRightsDivision-RighttoRecordPolice
=========================
Warning letter to police protecting photographers from them...
http://www.pdnonline.com/news/Department-of-Justic-5735.shtml
=======================================
The card you should carry with you
http://www.billadler.net/Photographer%27s_Legal_Rights_Card.pdf
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Our Photo Club, Tampabay Camera Club, issues IDs and also Press Passes Both look Official and are. I carry mine in the car and in a black leather neck ID holder... adds punch...

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

For the most part I respect the police because they are sworn to put themselves between us and really bad people when called on. The fact that in some cities they have pensions that are way out of line, that some abuse their power to mask deep personal insecurity, or drive like they are above the law is just a fact of life. Professions attract people who for some reason want to abuse others or take personal advantage given the often unchecked power these professions offer, and do so unconsciously. It happens in all professions which directly depend on the government for direct funding or for protection from racketeerig: medicine, the law, politics, teaching, you name it. I teach my kids to avoid such lines of work unless they be very careful not forget they are public servants, not the other way around. Sometimes professions warp otherwise good but vulnerable people just from the peer pressure and the culture they move into. As for the photography legal question, to me it falls under a broader question of whether any cop can force any citizen to do whatever they're told, as if some cops believe they ARE the law. I have always wondered about this. It has a legal basis but there must be some limits. If anyone can shed light on it, it may help with this particular problem.

leither Loc: Sunny Leith

After seeing, over the last few years what American police can get up to and get away with, I'd just keep my mouth shut and walk away. No local photograph is worth being arrested and or jailed for, or in some of the more serious cases getting the s#%t beaten out of you.
You may have the rights - But they have the guns..

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

Any police officer, anytime, anywhere has the upper hand and can find some reason to arrest you. You then have to defend yourself before a local judge with that officer in attendance. Guess who wins that situation? Not fair but reality.

Niner6

We have the same problem here in Toronto's financial district
shooting a building on the other side of street security comes out and says your on private property......no photos.....just last saturday.....a security guy came along said you can take photos but no tripods ????? WHAT ??? More then 6 photographers in a group you are required to have a permit in the city parks....around $150.00......plus free parking is a thing of the past....

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

SodaPop: The letter I referenced above,Department-of-Justic-5735, was specifically about the Baltimore police department and addressed specifically to them telling them to back off and not interfere with photographers.

sSpud Loc: Pennsylvania

I have numerous friends who are officers here in Philly and some who are Sgts & Cpt in NYC.. Id be glad to ask their advice on how to handle it if you'd like?

Teacher Loc: Alabama

Remember, getting arrested is on your record, maybe, forever! Could come back to bite you. It can be very difficult to get it expunged. It is not fair but just the way it is. I love to photograph trains but there is a thin line between how close to the tracks or trestle you can get. Hope I get a warning first.

marycar53 Loc: Tuscumbia Al

A friend and I went to Hamilton AL a couple of Saturdays ago to pick up a sandstone rock headstone for my dogs grave that had her picture engraved on it and also to take barn pictures. He told us about a couple of barns up the road from him. We were parked on the road taking our barn pictures when the witch of the house drove up & we told her the neighbors name who told us where the barns were. She demanded our names and started following us everywhere we went. We had stopped at a couple of places took a barn picture, then an abandoned cotton gin when the whole police force of 2 cars drove up, then 2 county Mounties. Thankfully they realized after I showed some of the barn pictures we had been taking that these two 59 yr old women were within their rights. After the cops pulled up she pulled up right behind my truck. I was staring in my side mirror at the witches car and my friend asked what I was thinking, and I replied "Friend green tomatoes", the scene in the parking lot where that woman took her parking place. Her barn was ugly anyway.

nimbushopper Loc: Tampa, FL

"I became a Law Enforcement Officer because I wanted to be in a business where the customer was Always Wrong"

Seriously though, I speak from both sides of the fence as a retired peace officer and photographer. There are bad eggs in all professions and it is up to those in the know to educate them. I have seen arrogant photographers interefer with a crime scene to try and get their photos. Having said that, if you know you are in the right and think your rights are being violated by police then try and seek out an officer in charge(usually a sargent or LT) and apprise him/her of the situation. You may be surprised to find out they will actually help you. Some kind of ID in plain sight identifying you as a serious photographer will always make you at least appear more professional.