Starpacer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> While doing a story about security guards
> harassing photographers, at Washington DC Union
> Station, a television interview with Clifford
> Black, Amtrak's PR man, was interrupted. With Mr.
> Black standing by, a security guard ordered the
> television news crew to stop taping!
>
> [www.myfoxdc.com]
> o_Flap
>
> Unfortunately for railroad photographers this is
> not terribly unusual. Wrongly informed, or
> ignorant security guards, local police, and even
> Amtrak Police continue to harass photographers.
> These officers will frequently leave gangbangers
> and lowlifes alone, for fear of confrontation.
> However, photographers are an easy mark for such
> ill-informed officers who wrongly assert their
> authority, even when they do not have such
> authority.

Old news....maybe a year or so?

That security guard was obviously wrong. But what do you mean when you say that Amtrak Police continue to harass photographers? I see no evidence of this ANYWHERE. Amtrak has photography policies, and they must be followed. At a recent town hall meeting with "Trains Magazine", this topic was discussed. Amtrak's police chief has no problem with "foamer photography", as long as the rules/laws are followed. This is not "harassment". Furthermore, can you back up your statement with some type of proof or documentation that Amtrak PD officers leave gangbangers and "lowlifes" alone? (What is a "lowlife", in your opinion?). Amtrak PD, just like all police officers, need probable cause and/or reasonable suspicion to detain people. Do you want Amtrak PD to approach "lowlifes" for the legal reason of "just because"? Geezus, sometimes I get so fed up with foamers and your outlook on how much you think the world owes you just because you want a picture of a frickin' choo-choo train.