Police Seize Bus Stop Photos

Has this ever happened to you? The below article details how a Seattle photographer ducked inside a bus terminal to avoid the rain, took a picture and a police officer confiscated his gear over the security concern. It turns out the officer was wrong and the photographer has filed a complaint.

Photographers are often victims of extensive searches at airports and sporting events but a public place like a bus terminal come on. I guess if the photographer was taking pictures of nuclear power plants or security check points their might be some concern but it was a bus station. I want to be safe in this country just like the next guy but professional photographers are singled out. How should we handle this?

I have been searched and questioned but never had my camera bag taken away. Does anyone have an experience to share on this?

Read full story from KOMO 4 TV below:

Police Seize Pictures Of Seattle Bus Tunnel

April 11, 2005

By Molly Shen

KING COUNTY - Was it a security threat or a case of police going overboard?

A King County Sheriff's deputy seized a photographer's pictures in a public bus tunnel over the weekend, citing terrorism concerns.
Alex Williams was taking pictures in downtown Seattle over the weekend when he ducked into the tunnel to escape the rain.
The vast, open space, the unique design and the lights and movement of the metro bus tunnel in Pioneer Square attracted his eye.
Williams specializes in nature photography and he was trying to expand his portfolio.

"I was approached by a King County Sheriff's Deputy who said, 'Oh no, no, no, no, no. This is no good. We're going to have to confiscate all this stuff.' And he motioned to all my gear," Williams said.

The deputy explained that the tunnel is a potential terror target and that photographers must have permission to be there.

When Williams offered to delete his digital photos, the deputy said he was confiscating the flash cards - to search them for security breaches.

There are no signs there saying photos aren't allowed.
The deputy was wrong.

King County Sheriff's Spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart told KOMO 4 News, "We're going to do some additional training with our deputies who work the bus tunnel, let them know that yes, it is okay to photograph inside the tunnel. I think he just went overboard a little bit. He shouldn't have done that. It isn't against the law."

Only after his gear was confiscated, did Williams find out he hadn't broken the law.

He's filing a formal complaint with the Sheriff and consulting the American Civil Liberties Union.

"It's alarming if an officer can approach you and take your stuff or force you to leave when it's not really against the law," he says.
All he really wants is an apology and his compact flash cards back.
The Sheriff says he'll get both.

That doesn't mean the tunnel is a free-for-all for photographers.
Because of security concerns, deputies will still question people taking pictures in the tunnel.

And metro transit wants commercial photographers to get permission first. That's for liability reasons.

For More Information About Photographer Alex Williams:
www.thermalexposure.com

Technorati Tags : Bus tunnel photo | police |

Posted by chad on 04:03, April 13 2005

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