Re: [Leica] Private Property and Buildings

["Ted Grant" <tedgrant@home.com>]

Irving Greines wrote:
>>>I'd ask the so-called private security officer to furnish his or her
identification;  I'd then right down the information; I'd then tell the
person I am standing on public property and have a first amendment right to
be there and to photograph anything I want to photograph.  I'd say that if
he/she interferes in any way with my right, I'm going to sue. <<<<<

My response:  What wonderful bravado on the screen! ;-) Unfortunately,
unless you happen to be 6' 12" and 280 pounds to back up your word and
physical position I suggest a calmer approach, as you are not dealing with
completely normal people when you go up against a "rent-a-security" person.

Marc James Small responded ;

>>since I have become a lawyer, trained security types.  Trust me:
challenging them only makes their hormones rage.  You cannot intimidate
them.<<<<<<<

And quite frankly having had to go face to face with them on occasion life
is much easier to leave and look for a way to circumvent them, why?  Because
confrontation begets you nothing but wasting your picture taking time.  Move
on, as in many cases you are dealing with a some what mental mighty midget
and no amount of your amendments and rights etc. are going to get you
anywhere!

Yep in the USA you have the Constitution, but you know what? Some of these
"security folks" have no idea what the hell your constitution is all about,
so why knock yourself out trying to explain the history and legal side of
your country.

Much easier to stay cool, step along and move on.  Life's less agonizing
then.
ted





Ted Grant Photography Limited
www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant
- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Marc James Small" <msmall@roanoke.infi.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2001 3:04 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Private Property and Buildings


> At 02:09 PM 9/7/01 -0700, > >If I were on public property, here's what I'd
do:   If the person continues to interfere, I'd
> >ask him/her to call the police or if I had a cell phone, I'd call the
> >police.  If more security personnel arrive, I'd say the more the merrier.
> >I'd ask for their ID's and write down the information.  I'd tell all of
them
> >if they lay a finger on me, they can look forward to hearing from your
> >lawyer.
> >
> >I would venture to guess that if you approach it this way, you'll scare
the
> >hell out of them.
>
> I used to be an MP and I have,   (DON'T tell the operator these are
> security guards, or the police will award you a priority down there with
> the dead dog reports.  Say "strange people" and the police -- seeing HUGE
> headlines in tomorrow's paper -- will be there ASAP.)
>
> But these security types, once they are feeling their testosterone
bulging,
> will not go away until Superior Force is applied.
>
> Marc
>
> msmall@roanoke.infi.net  FAX:  +540/343-7315
> Cha robh bąs fir gun ghrąs fir!
>
>