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We've covered D.C. photographer rights issues before on DCist, and we've covered local photographer Erin McCann's continued push to prevent photographer harassment in the D.C. area. She's mobilized people using the DC Photo Rights group, testified in front of Congress, and now she's managed to have the ACLU get the Department of Transportation to answer the question of whether they have a policy prohibiting photography of their buildings, saying in part:
"We do not, and in the instance that you discuss in your letter, our uniformed security guard was incorrect in telling the individual that he [sic] was not permitted to take photographs. For that, we do apologize."
Head over to the scan of the letter from DOT to see the "Special Security Bulletin" they also sent along, which discusses what guards at federal buildings should do when they notice a photographer taking pictures of the exteriors. This is great work by Erin, and worth printing and keeping in your photo bag next to the Krages document.
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Y'know, somehow I don't think a scan of a DOT cover letter is going to prevent your average rent-a-cop from being a dick, but don't hold me to that. The letter thing, not the dick. I already have one of those. His name is "Mr. Softee," he wears a beret, and will be running against Fenty as a write-in on the Statehood Peen ticket along with my nutsack.
Wake up, DC! This caucus isn't going to suck itself!
I disagree with you, for once. True, an idiot cop may not understand that which he is reading, but his supervisor would. If you have a copy on your and get stopped, whip it out. See what fun ensues.
It'll be tough trying to find his supervisor once idiot cop has escorted you from the building. You'd be much more effective in your protest by whipping something else out. Liz will back me up on this.
Liz ain't getting back on your Wienermobile.
no EXIF data? and where are the feet?!
Jackson claimed he lived at The Whitman (do you capitalize The in condo names?). Hilarious, mildly. I didn't realize they let straight people in that 10 Tiers of Queers, unless maybe they are delivering packages (heh). Plus, you know, being named after A Famous Gay and all.
First, props to Erin for following up on this issue and standing up for our rights.
Whether or not the DOT has a policy prohibiting photography of the exteriors of their buildings is entirely irrelevant.
The law says that one can photograph anything viewable from a public space.
Next time you get threatened my some rent-a-cop hack, remind him that his actions are unlawful. You might also point out that the sidewalks in front of DOT buildings are public spaces not owned by the DOT. As such, DOT security guards have no jurisdiction there.
I am not at all threatened by overzealous security guards, but then again as an attorney I am not at all afraid to stand up for my rights.
most pertinent to this is a special security bulletin of the department of homeland security's federal protective service
I believe in section 6 line 8, it specifically grants federal rent-a-cops the authority to bend you over and ship you to gitmo afterward for thinking you are smarter than federal rent-a-cops. Once you are there, your cell mate will gladly review a copy of this memo.
(or should I say undisclosed location instead of gitmo? gitmo is so last year)
In other words, if a federal cop tells you to do something, and you push back, you will be lucky if all that happens to you is that you get escorted from the premises.
Three words -
Fake.
Press.
Pass.
Speaking for journalists and photographers, can I just ask people not to lie about working for a news outlet? I'm not going to tell a city hall security guard that I work for the mayor so I can get a public record. It's about ethics.
Anyway, everyone has the right to take pictures of anything visible from a public place (sidewalk, etc) without a telephoto lens. Kudos to Erin and the ACLU for pushing back on this.
Three more words -
I.
Was.
Kidding.
:)