According to Jerome Vorus, 4 of the officers who approached him claimed that there is a law against taking photos on a public street in the District. Then in a brilliant stroke of irony…
…the officer that informed me that I could not record people, pulled out her camera phone and started to audio and video recorded me. So, did she break the “law” that does not exist?
Vorus was “detained” for “security reasons” and then released after being questioned. Read the full story and see his photos on his blog.
I know that as an American I feel safer now just having read the story. Why? Because obviously the D.C. police have managed to clear the streets of gang bangers and heroin dealers allowing themselves time to focus on real threats to our vibrant way of life such as photography.
Sarcasm it’s just one of the many services I offer.
Back Home
6 Comments at "Another Photographer Detained"
Welcome to the police state! Nothing to see here, move along…
Police have the right to ask for ID. The rest of the crap they put you through was bogus. Unis looking to get through their day. Serving and protecting….thier inflated egos.
No, they don’t have the right to ask “for your papers.” They had no reason to believe he was breaking any law.
Joe,
The Police DO have the right to ask for ID. They can always say that the photographer acted suspicously and they had probably cause. There are vagrancy laws in most cities and for good reason, regardless if we agree or not.
Pointing a camera may be considered threatening. Remember, this was Washington DC.
Do I Agree with the Police, No. Would I have given my ID, Hell Yes. I have NOTHING to hide. The Photographer may have been wrong, but he seems, to me, to be trying to pick a fight, make a point.
Peace and Love!
“the photographer acting suspiciously”….felonious telephoto lens ?
I am a retired deputy from L.A. County….all of that stupid posturing by the cops is just ego crap…….they let their badge and gun go to their head “just because they can”…………
When a law enforcement officer tries to enforce laws that they aren’t even sure of, then there is serious problem with their own training.
This will become a big topic now that cameras are as common as ball point pens.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061505556.html?sid=ST2010061505592
Comment Now!