fjrwillie Loc: MA

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

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

I think it's rather sick to take photographs of other peoples misfortune, I wouldn't consider doing any like this no wonder the police questioned you.

cmc65

I think the size of your ego is only outdone by the depth of your ignorance. Often times an arsonist 'hangs around' a fire they've set for the kick. You fit that bill perfectly and I think you should be glad you live in an area with police officers that are well trained for their job. If they don't catch the guy your house may be next.

jim quist Loc: Missouri

Why would you tilt your camera up like that when you know the cops would see what looks like a suspicious way to take a photo? I can't believe you called the police station just because you were asked if you took their picture.

johneccles Loc: Leyland UK

Well said, I agree with everything you say in your post.

ecar Loc: Oregon, USA

If you were walking in the area of an arson crime, which sounds like you were, you can be excluded from the area of the investigation. Pictures taken aren't necessarily a problem, but you could find yourself and your camera and your pic's being subpoena'd if you took a pic of something valuable as evidence.
And of course from the cops point of view, who's taking pic's in an arson crime scene besides the media, which are given an area in which to work.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Willie, I often take photographs of similar situations. One of the local news papers will potentially use them. On numerous occasions I've been approached by the police, especially in one community, as they are a bit leery of cameras. (I'll provide that story if need be).

Anyway, I avoid confrontations by answering questions factually, unemotionally, and politely. Politely being the most important, followed by non-confrontational. Every police officer knows that photographs taken in the public right of way are legal. Oh, I also offer to provide them copies and present a business card.

Now, at scenes of fires, arson is always a consideration. So, anyone loitering, gawking, or taking photographs is going to be suspicious. Expect questions.

I arrived at a car fire scene before any of the first responders. I was photographing this car burning on the street. This was during a Memorial Day weekend a few years ago.

A police officer, who had just arrived on scene, walked over to me and asked, "Don't you have anything better to do than start a car on fire to photograph it"?

I didn't even look up from the viewfinder of the camera and replied, "Well, it's been a pretty slow weekend and I needed to photograph some kind of action".

He chuckled, told me to be careful, and walked away to start traffic and crowd control. That was it. No confrontation, no belligerence, just a sort of smart ass reply.

After it was all done, I walked back to my vehicle, said good-bye to the officer, and told him to have a safe day.
--Bob

ecar Loc: Oregon, USA

Very well said !! :thumbup: :thumbup:

fjrwillie Loc: MA

No ego involved. If the officer thought I was a suspect, he would have stopped me, questioned me further about what I was doing, if he thought I was involved in the crime. He might have asked me my name and where I lived. Might have even asked to see some ID, if he thought I was a person of interest. His question was solely self centered on his concern if I captured him on disk. The reason for the tilt is I wanted a candid shot, it was a spur of the moment reaction for me.

I left a lot of my impressions out of the story.

I was there for about an hour and this was the only time I was questioned by anyone, whether it be the 4 Fire Chiefs from the surrounding towns, the forensic fire folks from the State of Massachusetts. None of them even gave me a glance and I was not trying to hide anything I was doing. It is my belief that the officer was solely thinking of himself.

For the personal side of things it saddens me that 6 families have lost their home. I can relate to the trauma and the what do I do now feeling been there, like most of us at one point in our lives. Thankfully no one was hurt.

Willie

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Apparently, you'd not make a good news photographer. Even if it were freelance.

Just a few of the ones I've photographed.

http://clueinabox.com/TFD/

--Bob

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

While you had the right to do it, sometimes discretion in exercising our rights is a virtue. Glad I'm not a cop.

fjrwillie Loc: MA

Exactly why I did not take the shot and the somewhat intimidating look I received.


Willie

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

fjrwillie,

If you had carried your Press Pass in your gadget bag there wouldn't have been a problem. Consider the problem below.

Michael G

"To Protect and Serve"

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

I don't believe you deserve all the criticism you've received over this, but I do believe that you're the one overreacting. Your headline, "Stopped by the Police", turns out to be nothing more than a question in passing and you're the one continuing to pursue the issue looking for validation that you've been wronged somehow.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

I just took a peek at your flickr account. You did get some nice images. But one one labeled "Victim". I'd never have the nerve to take that shot....Not sure if you should have either.