Sunday 6 families lost their home to a fire. This occurred around 4:30am and by 8am the fire was pretty much out. I was headed out to take some other pictures, however stopped there to take some shots of the scene.

I was walking down one of the side walks with my camera at my side in my hand. I saw 2 cops walking toward me so I tilted the camera up without lifting my arm, focused (BBF) and was ready to fire off a shot and had second thoughts. One of the cops just had this look.

I walked pass them and he says Did you take a picture of me. I said I thought about it but didn't. We continued on our way.

It didn't bother me I didn't get the shot, it was only a picture and didn't really contribute to the activity. However it did bother me I was questioned. I called the police station on Monday and asked for one of the senior officer. I was told they were busy with a shift change and they would call me back. No call

I was out again taking some pictures and stopped in the police station and asked for the officer. Not here. I explained the situation and said I would appreciate a call.

Tuesday mid-morning the officer did call and we had a conversation. I explained the situation, telling him as far as I knew I was in the public domain, so were his officers and I had every right to take any picture I wanted.

He did not dispute my reasoning, but did offer that this was the 6th fire in this area and were suspicious in nature and his officers may have been a bit edgy because they were there to do some investigation.

I accepted his explanation and only wanted him to explain to his officers that I had the right to take photos and they should not intimidate folks doing so.

While I accept his explanation, I don't think that was what was going thru the officer's mind when he stopped and questioned me.

Just an experience

If you are interested in the pics I took the link to the flick account below should take you to them.

Willie

Sunday 6 families lost their home to a fire. This occurred around 4:30am and by 8am the fire was pretty much out. I was headed out to take some other pictures, however stopped there to take some shots of the scene.

I was walking down one of the side walks with my camera at my side in my hand. I saw 2 cops walking toward me so I tilted the camera up without lifting my arm, focused (BBF) and was ready to fire off a shot and had second thoughts. One of the cops just had this look.

I walked pass them and he says Did you take a picture of me. I said I thought about it but didn't. We continued on our way.

It didn't bother me I didn't get the shot, it was only a picture and didn't really contribute to the activity. However it did bother me I was questioned. I called the police station on Monday and asked for one of the senior officer. I was told they were busy with a shift change and they would call me back. No call

I was out again taking some pictures and stopped in the police station and asked for the officer. Not here. I explained the situation and said I would appreciate a call.

Tuesday mid-morning the officer did call and we had a conversation. I explained the situation, telling him as far as I knew I was in the public domain, so were his officers and I had every right to take any picture I wanted.

He did not dispute my reasoning, but did offer that this was the 6th fire in this area and were suspicious in nature and his officers may have been a bit edgy because they were there to do some investigation.

I accepted his explanation and only wanted him to explain to his officers that I had the right to take photos and they should not intimidate folks doing so.

While I accept his explanation, I don't think that was what was going thru the officer's mind when he stopped and questioned me.

Just an experience

If you are interested in the pics I took the link to the flick account below should take you to them.

Willie

Sunday 6 families lost their home to a fire. This occurred around 4:30am and by 8am the fire was pretty much out. I was headed out to take some other pictures, however stopped there to take some shots of the scene.

I was walking down one of the side walks with my camera at my side in my hand. I saw 2 cops walking toward me so I tilted the camera up without lifting my arm, focused (BBF) and was ready to fire off a shot and had second thoughts. One of the cops just had this look.

I walked pass them and he says Did you take a picture of me. I said I thought about it but didn't. We continued on our way.

It didn't bother me I didn't get the shot, it was only a picture and didn't really contribute to the activity. However it did bother me I was questioned. I called the police station on Monday and asked for one of the senior officer. I was told they were busy with a shift change and they would call me back. No call

I was out again taking some pictures and stopped in the police station and asked for the officer. Not here. I explained the situation and said I would appreciate a call.

Tuesday mid-morning the officer did call and we had a conversation. I explained the situation, telling him as far as I knew I was in the public domain, so were his officers and I had every right to take any picture I wanted.

He did not dispute my reasoning, but did offer that this was the 6th fire in this area and were suspicious in nature and his officers may have been a bit edgy because they were there to do some investigation.

I accepted his explanation and only wanted him to explain to his officers that I had the right to take photos and they should not intimidate folks doing so.

While I accept his explanation, I don't think that was what was going thru the officer's mind when he stopped and questioned me.

Just an experience

If you are interested in the pics I took the link to the flick account below should take you to them.

Willie

Granted, you have the "right" to take pictures in a public place but, what harm was done to you by the officer? Did he give you a hard time? No! According to you, he simply asked if you took his picture. Nothing more beyond your assumption over how the officer reacted.

This is exactly how "nothing" turns into a bad situation in today's environment. By your own admission YOU made a questionable move that anyone would have wondered about. YOU perceived wrong doing by the officer who simply asked a question and YOU decided that it had to be dealt with.

You could have just gone on about your business but nooooo! You had to show this officer that you are not going to allow anyone to treat YOU in such a manner!

By your own explanation of the situation YOU have painted yourself to be a pompus ass!

Sunday 6 families lost their home to a fire. This occurred around 4:30am and by 8am the fire was pretty much out. I was headed out to take some other pictures, however stopped there to take some shots of the scene.

I was walking down one of the side walks with my camera at my side in my hand. I saw 2 cops walking toward me so I tilted the camera up without lifting my arm, focused (BBF) and was ready to fire off a shot and had second thoughts. One of the cops just had this look.

I walked pass them and he says Did you take a picture of me. I said I thought about it but didn't. We continued on our way.

It didn't bother me I didn't get the shot, it was only a picture and didn't really contribute to the activity. However it did bother me I was questioned. I called the police station on Monday and asked for one of the senior officer. I was told they were busy with a shift change and they would call me back. No call

I was out again taking some pictures and stopped in the police station and asked for the officer. Not here. I explained the situation and said I would appreciate a call.

Tuesday mid-morning the officer did call and we had a conversation. I explained the situation, telling him as far as I knew I was in the public domain, so were his officers and I had every right to take any picture I wanted.

He did not dispute my reasoning, but did offer that this was the 6th fire in this area and were suspicious in nature and his officers may have been a bit edgy because they were there to do some investigation.

I accepted his explanation and only wanted him to explain to his officers that I had the right to take photos and they should not intimidate folks doing so.

While I accept his explanation, I don't think that was what was going thru the officer's mind when he stopped and questioned me.

Just an experience

If you are interested in the pics I took the link to the flick account below should take you to them.

Willie