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| If you love this country and respect other people's property even if you pay taxes for it, then read and obey signs like this to leave it at that. |
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| For anyone reading this who is over the age of 30, who would have thought we'd ever see the day we actually might get arrested for violating signs like this . . . |
DEAR IMWARTS: Sorry to tell you,
but most likely yes, the police do have the authority to do this, and for
reason. Please remember that when we leave the streets of a major city and
enter some kind of transit system downstairs or upstairs, we are no longer on
public space or property. In many ways it’s like entering Macy’s or Wal-Mart,
with the exception that state legislatures give such Macy’s or Wal-Mart special
status and permission to establish rules that are enforceable by law. So if you
break the law at the real Macy’s, they will have to call the local police like
everyone else does to arrest and prosecute you. In the transit system, they can
usually hire their own police, create a rule that is against the law to break,
and then authorize their police or the local police to arrest for breaking that
rule that is law. Depending on the state the transit system resides, and what
the rules of the system are, the moment you pay money to ride that system and
enter past the turnstiles, you are now on the property of a publicly run
corporation usually called an authority. Under the rules of law that is not
like the streets, and as such, such entities can set their own rules for the
public good.
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| Here. This hopefully is as close a jet will get to the Golden Gate Bridge in my lifetime. Anyone else who needs to get any closer to the bridge to get a photograph needs to have their head examined. |
The issue of public good now comes
to the part of your question about the issue of taking photographs down in the
subway, at a toll plaza, railroad tracks, airport terminal, or any significant
landmark run by a government or an independent authority. Since September 11th,
publically run agencies like the MTA, Amtrak, most port authorities, airport
authorities, bridge, tunnel, highway or transportation authorities, etc. do not
like to have their properties photographed without permission. If we can’t go
to any NASA facility and start snapping away, we should expect the same if it’s
about AMTRAK, even corporations like Conrail, Union Pacific, Boeing, thus even
places like the Chesapeake Bay Authority, etc., as well. Some strictly enforce
the rules governing this policy; others encourage their enforcement arm to use
discretion. Of course NASA isn’t going to arrest you for taking a picture next
to a space shuttle exhibit at Cape Canaveral. But I’d be weary if you wonder
off alone on a NASA base taking pictures of an area off-limits that’s about
something like an Air Force rocket on a NASA launch site. You’ll be okay on the
Presidio side of the Golden Gate Bridge, but you’re looking for trouble if
you’re caught on the Marin County side in a boat under the north anchorage of
the bridge snapping away at support cables and columns. When you think about it
that’s not cool unless you’re composing with family for a picture.
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| Go to the images link in Google and type Golden Gate Bridge. There is a reason why all the pictures look the same, and few don't, because some parts of the bridge were not meant to be photographed. |
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| If there is an angle of the Golden Gate Bridge you need to look at, do us all a favor, and go on the internet to find it instead of trying to snap it yourself. This is a bridge. Terrorists are trying to knock it down. The people who take care of it don't want you taking pictures of certain angles. Get over it. |
And please
don’t tell me this is America, we can take pictures wherever we want; that
nowadays just sounds ASS-inine. When terrorists are arrested with photos and
blueprints of infrastructure as they have on numerous occasions in the past,
you can then understand why at times even the press must apply for a permit to
take pictures on such properties. If you’re all wrapped up in the civil
liberties thing, then I’ll jump onboard with you when it gets to the point when
I can’t snap a picture anywhere on a typical street.
I’ll let you go this time with a
stern warning IMWARTS: BEWARE. Unless the photo is a backdrop for a Griswald family
snapshot at your favorite toll plaza or tunnel entrance which in any case I’d
still look for signs to see if you can, I would be wary about taking any
pictures of any publicly owned and run property unless it is a tourist
attraction and without permission. You may not be outright arrested, but at the
least you could be detained and have to answer lots of questions by their
police, and have your photo equipment confiscated. We lost a bit of freedom
that faithful day in 2001, but some say for a noble cause for the greater good
of freedom and safety for all Americans. Drive, ride, and snap away CAREFULLY,
RESPONSIBLY, and safely . . .
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| THERE IS A WAY OUT OF THIS INTERSECTION WITHOUT BREAKING THE LAW! Can you figure it out? HINT: Look at the signs and look for a direction that they are NOT indicating you can go. ANSWER: After you come to a full stop, and MAKE A U-TURN, you can proceed without the risk of being cited for a violation. Good looking out for those of you who figured this out! |
Suggested
Reading:
What is a CARMAGEDDON and when will
it happen?
Am I allowed to walk on a highway?
Suggested Reading:
The
definition of a “Concours” car and event
Suggested Reading:
Suggested Reading:
What is the new national terror alert warning?
Taking photographs at off-limits tourist landmarks .
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Sgt. Al here. I welcome your comments, ideas, and suggestions. You have questions about the police, and I'm interested in hearing what you have to say as a citizen. Thanks!