Re: ACLU tangles with Philadelphia MTA over rail photography
Author: Scott Schiechl
Date: 06-03-2011 - 10:19
OK, the whole issue here is "probable cause". This is what law enforcement officers MUST have to detain someone or compel them to produce ID. 1) Did the transit officers have probable cause to ask Chris what he was doing? Yes. They had a report which they were obliged to check out. 2) Did they have probable case to require him to produce ID? NO! Taking photos from public access areas is not a crime nor even "suspicious activity". Chris having told them what he was doing and who he was should have ended it. My next-door neighbor is an Assistant DA and ex-cop. He confirms the correctness of what I have said.
Finally, when will transit agencies and railroads get it through their (thick) heads that taking photos of trans is not a possible terrorist activity. Photos whould be useless to any would-be terrorist. Goggle maps and ariel photos are useful. Schedules are useful. Let's detain Goggle photographers and ban all transit schedules. Its the Patriot Act you know.