Spokker
Lead Service Attendant
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2008
- Messages
- 294
This is your standard "getting harassed for photography" story and I'm not surprised that my experience is very similar to most stories I've heard. I did one thing right and I think I did another thing wrong when dealing with this.
I was on the Sprinter light rail system down in North San Diego County and I was shooting video through the window in the back of the train. After about a minute I was approach by transit security and asked what I was doing. I told them I was filming. They said I couldn't do that. I pressed stop, unfortunately, and sat down.
Then one of the security guards, who are armed by the way, told me to delete it. I refused, nervous as I was. They then went through all of the stereotypical things you usually hear about in these stories. "How do we know you aren't plotting something?" "Just delete it and this can be over." "If you don't delete it we'll have Oceanside PD haul you away in handcuffs." "I'm not trying to give you a hard time." Each time I refused to delete the video. His concerned appeared to be over me taking photographs or video of the cab controls, of which there are already photos of online.
Eventually the train arrived at the final destination and they asked me to remain seated and they went to the platform. Interestingly enough, the driver of the train moved to the back of the train (which was now the front) to prepare for the return trip. He asked, "Getting hassled for pictures, eh?" I said yeah. He said he didn't care if I took photos but that it was out of his control. I nodded.
They came back and asked for ID. And here is where I think I faltered. I am more familiar with the LA area where the transit police are actual police officers. LA County Sheriff to be exact. I didn't know it at the time but these transit officers were actually private armed security guards based on my research. Unfortunately, I treated them as if they were police, so I handed over the ID. If I had known for sure he was simply private security, I wouldn't have been so quick to hand over my ID. Oh well.
He wrote down my information, gave back my ID and return to the platforms to confer with others. A few moments passed and he returned and lectured me on photography and security. He said he has my information now and then told me to leave, though I never deleted the video, as crappy as it is.
For the record, the Sprinter web site has no information about photography on trains, not even the ordinance that governs all other behavior on the light rail system. http://gonctd.com/pdf_ordinances/Ordinance%203%20-%20Rules%20and%20Regs%20Arrest%20Citations.pdf When I queried transit security on where it says photography is prohibited, he said it's in his handbook.
The only thing I regret is handing over my ID and watching the security guard write it down. I am glad I did not delete the video, however.
I was on the Sprinter light rail system down in North San Diego County and I was shooting video through the window in the back of the train. After about a minute I was approach by transit security and asked what I was doing. I told them I was filming. They said I couldn't do that. I pressed stop, unfortunately, and sat down.
Then one of the security guards, who are armed by the way, told me to delete it. I refused, nervous as I was. They then went through all of the stereotypical things you usually hear about in these stories. "How do we know you aren't plotting something?" "Just delete it and this can be over." "If you don't delete it we'll have Oceanside PD haul you away in handcuffs." "I'm not trying to give you a hard time." Each time I refused to delete the video. His concerned appeared to be over me taking photographs or video of the cab controls, of which there are already photos of online.
Eventually the train arrived at the final destination and they asked me to remain seated and they went to the platform. Interestingly enough, the driver of the train moved to the back of the train (which was now the front) to prepare for the return trip. He asked, "Getting hassled for pictures, eh?" I said yeah. He said he didn't care if I took photos but that it was out of his control. I nodded.
They came back and asked for ID. And here is where I think I faltered. I am more familiar with the LA area where the transit police are actual police officers. LA County Sheriff to be exact. I didn't know it at the time but these transit officers were actually private armed security guards based on my research. Unfortunately, I treated them as if they were police, so I handed over the ID. If I had known for sure he was simply private security, I wouldn't have been so quick to hand over my ID. Oh well.
He wrote down my information, gave back my ID and return to the platforms to confer with others. A few moments passed and he returned and lectured me on photography and security. He said he has my information now and then told me to leave, though I never deleted the video, as crappy as it is.
For the record, the Sprinter web site has no information about photography on trains, not even the ordinance that governs all other behavior on the light rail system. http://gonctd.com/pdf_ordinances/Ordinance%203%20-%20Rules%20and%20Regs%20Arrest%20Citations.pdf When I queried transit security on where it says photography is prohibited, he said it's in his handbook.
The only thing I regret is handing over my ID and watching the security guard write it down. I am glad I did not delete the video, however.
