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[quote]QUOTE: Originally posted by cttrr I am a CBS cameraman in Chicago, we are having the same type of problems at our jobs. I am in a slightly better position, in that when I stand my ground I keep rolling tape to get the whole exchange recorded, and we have lawyers on call to handle the problem if I get arrested (which I have not yet). I just recite "any object visible with the naked eye from a public place can be photographed". I do not ever inject opinion into the conversation only let the cops make illegal responses to my statement. I carry the photog. bill rights printed from the website quoted above with me at all times, both a paper copy and as a doc. in my palm pilot. [/quote] I also work at a CBS affiliate. So far, we have not run into major hassles when photographing chemical plants, railroads, and the like. I do have a state police-issued press ID, though. My $0.02: First, make reasonably certain you're on public property. In other words, if the railroad has the area posted, don't go past the sign. If even though you may be on public property peacefully railfanning, and a police officer comes up to you and starts asking questions, be polite. We're talking manners akin to what was the norm at grandma's house for Sunday dinner 50 years ago here. Being polite and nonconfrontational will reduce the stress factor for both of you. Remind the officer politely that you have a right to take pictures, so long as it's not of any forbidden location, such as a military post. If he tells you you're on private property, ask him to point out where public property ends and private property begins. Be prepared to pack up and leave if the officer gets a power rush from his badge. If, despite your best efforts, things get seriously ugly, go public. Beat on the local television stations' assignment desk or news director. Remind them that if you are restricted from taking pictures on public property, they might well be next. Railroads are pathetic at press relations; a blast of negative media coverage could persuade them to lighten up a bit. Keep in mind the city police officers are human beings too, and would probably rather be anywhere except near the railroad tracks chasing railfans away. The Bull, though, is another matter entirely.
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