Phoenix Blog

Tommy -- why don't YOU find these alleged "Homeland Security restrictions" and explain them to us. Oh, wait, you can't... because they don't exist.

Google 'Amtrak photo contestant arrested by Amtrak police in NYC’s Penn Station' for more DHS hilarity.

Phoenix Police welcomes Tourist to Arizona...

But don't speed, cause we'll take your picture and send you a fine, don't take any pictures, cause we'll threaten you, harass you and put you in Bozo Joes jail. And if you of Mexican decent, you must stop by and show your papers to Bozo Joe, you do have your papers, right ?

While here and spending your vacation time in one of Maricopa County jails, you can count on your Constructional Rights being violated, or maybe if your lucky, get your arm broken, and if your really lucky, you might come out alive if your not accidently beaten to death by jailers or other inmates.

If you should get out alive, not to worry, we have a Maricopa County Attorney that will charge you with all kinds of crimes, even if they can't be proven and your innocent.

Just remember, there is no such thing in Arizona as being consider innocent. In Maricopa County, everyone is guilty until you prove yourself innocent.

Have a nice time while your visiting Phoenix.
And do please come back again soon.

Maricopa County has become beyond stupid, no wonder this place is such a shithole and is going down the toilet.

Who in their right mind wants to visit this place let alone live here anymore.

Somebody buy my house so I can get the fuck out of this place.

Randy,

Invite him to call the police. It's not a crime to take a photo of anything you can see from a public place. I've been very active on this lately but I don't mind writing letters.

Remember security guards aren't sworn officers and most of they have no idea what they are talking about. They don't have any special powers. If they have badges they tend to go to their heads.

My latest problems with Security Guards have been at, The New Brunswick, NJ Parking Authority; The Port of Elizabeth Transportation Workers Identification Card Enrollment Center; Duffy Park, Times Square, NY.

With the New Brunswick Parking Auth the security guard told me I was on private property and that the use of cameras was prohibited. After contacting the Executive Director of the Authority it turns out it's public property and photography is allowed. The guards are being retrained.

At the TWIC enrollment center the security guard started a huge problem because I was holding a camera. After contacting the Transportation Security Administration in Washington, DC I found out I didn't do anything wrong and they will correct the security guard and employee behaviour in the enrollment centers.

In Times Square after a Times Square Alliance Public Safety Officer told me I couldn't use a tripod I contacted the president of the Times Square Alliance. After I sent in some information and a letter they understand that tripod use is allowed and will retrain the PSO's.

When this stuff happens we have to complain. We need to find the correct people to complain to. We have to continue to complain until what's being done is corrected. If it's not corrected we have to move who we are complaining to up the chain until we get someone that understands the law.

We'll be discussing this issue of police harassing photographers and videographers on News Talk Online on Paltalk.com Tuesday April 7 at 5 PM New York time.

Please go to my blog, http://www.garybaumgarten.com and click on the link to the chatroom to join in the conversation and sound off.

Thanks,

Gary

Please see our update:

http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/valleyfever/2009/04/photography_at_transit_station.php