So, I got hassled by the cops yesterday...

[Soo 6604]

OK, who posed for this smiley. Looks about right.....lol

paul

[chad thomas]

[Flashwave]

Answer: I don't know what the latter is.

Sorry, Goggle Eyed Rail Fan. I heard it from a railroad worker.

[trainfan1221]

It is simply unfortunate that we live in a day and age where we are viewed as suspicious at times because of our hobby.   Referring to the OP, he hasn't done anything I haven't done, and I am sure many others.  It is unfortunate that he had to deal with what happened and I hope it doesn't take away from his enjoyment of the hobby.  I am sure the officer had his reasons too as I know they keep an eye on things over this way too.

    I hope that eventually we live in a world where there is less of this going on.   I do not consider myself bad because I am a train fanatic,  it's just something we have to be a little more careful about these days.  Exploring out of service lines is actually something I enjoy, hopefully people realize we have no bad intentions doing such things.

[moelarrycurly4]

When I was in college in Houston, My Video class was taking video of planes landing at hobby airport. We were on a public street near the end of the runway. (this was in 1990) It wasn't long until airport police showed up and asked what was going on. We explained the video project and all was well. One of my class mates was from Spain and his English was not that great. We were so glad he did not say " we are just shooting the planes!"

[zardoz]

Those 19 guys did not carry those box cutters through the metal detectors enroute to the aircraft.  They were put on board by others.

If you think giving up all your rights and liberties will make a world where nothing bad ever happens, you are mistaken.

We have devolved into a neurotic paranoid society who's obsession with security and safety borders on mental illness.

[trainboyH16-44]

Answer: I don't know what the latter is.

[Flashwave]

Unrelated question: What's the difference between a Foamer and a G.E.R.F.?

[Murphy Siding]

I obviously made the same leap, and apologize for that.  However, when combined with the complaint about being "hassled by the cops" it is a logical assumption.  Perhaps a better phrase would convey the proper thought.

Consider:

Secure in my convictions

man of intense beliefs

rigid one

etc.

If it would make you happy, perhaps ConvictedOne could change his handle to something more personal?  For example, if he was one of those people who didn't like having all those gates out on the Montana prairie, he could call himself something like TheNonGates, or TheAntiGates.  I'm just sayin' ....

[CNW 6000]

Now that this part of the circus act is over, is this thread continuing to serve a noble purpose?  Apart from entertaining the idly curious I mean.

-Crandell

Well, I was kind of hoping that Chad was going to bring the popcorn machine over. It's one of those good popcorn munching threads!

Here you go Chris.  I can share.

[CopCarSS]

Now that this part of the circus act is over, is this thread continuing to serve a noble purpose?  Apart from entertaining the idly curious I mean.

-Crandell

Well, I was kind of hoping that Chad was going to bring the popcorn machine over. It's one of those good popcorn munching threads!

[selector]

Now that this part of the circus act is over, is this thread continuing to serve a noble purpose?  Apart from entertaining the idly curious I mean.

-Crandell

[TimChgo9]

Last summer, I was out shooting photos of the BNSF from a bridge on Romeo Rd, in Romeoville that happens to be right next to a Citgo refinery, and a ComEd power plant. 

After I was done (Long story short) I was approached by Citgo Refinery Security, who asked me what I was doing on the bridge.  After my explanation, they politely explained why they were questioning me, and asked (politely) if I would wait for the local cops so they could check me out.  

The local police showed up, and in five minutes all was settled, and I went about my business, and they theirs.  

I don't consider myself hassled, or whatever, it was the local police and security doing their jobs in a sensitive area.  Yeah, you can argue I was on a public street, but, all the same, I was within 100 yards or so of a refinery, and about the same distance to a power plant, with a camera.  I was told that when I was initially observed, the security officer left me alone, until another security officer had seen me, and informed the security supervisor, who then wanted me checked out.  

Everyone here has to remember:  In this day and age, with not only terrorism on the minds of local law enforcement, there is also the fact that there is alot of problems from street gangs, especially in my area.  I worked in public safety for a few years, I know how it works.  Yeah, it's a pain when the police approach and you are not doing anything wrong... but to the citizen across the street who has never seen you before, and sees you standing by the tracks with a camera, esp. one with a long lens, you indeed look "suspicious".....  

 

[Convicted One]

Glad you cleared that up, I was thinking you might have been convicted of a crime. My bad.

 

No prob!

 

The prisons are full of the stupid criminals. The smart criminals seldom get arrested, especially once they have been re-elected a time or two.

[Phoebe Vet]

Consider:

rigid one

 

No no no, can't do that, or the wrong kind of people might ...wel...l you know   lol!

Point taken.

I will now withdraw before this thread gets locked.

[chad thomas]

Consider:

rigid one

 

No no no, can't do that, or the wrong kind of people might ...wel...l you know   lol!

(Larry the cable guy voice) I don't care who you are, that's funny !!!!

[Convicted One]

Consider:

rigid one

 

No no no, can't do that, or the wrong kind of people might ...weL...L.. you know   lol!

[Anonymous]

Those 19 guys did not carry those box cutters through the metal detectors enroute to the aircraft.  They were put on board by others.

If you think giving up all your rights and liberties will make a world where nothing bad ever happens, you are mistaken.

We have devolved into a neurotic paranoid society who's obsession with security and safety borders on mental illness.

In 1992 I spent 3 weeks in Taiwan on business.  When I got to LA on the way home I was wearing my field jacket and carrying a duffle bag, and as I was entering the concourse I was approached by a plain-clothes security officer who asked me where I was coming from? Taiwan.  Why was I there? I was installing software - a business trip.  Where did I stay there?  The Chiang Kai-shek Hotel by the airport.  Where am I going now?  Home - to Oshkosh, WI.  He thanked me for my time and I went on to the terminal where my connecting flight would depart.  This was 1992 - well before 9-11 - and I wasn't offended or put-out by his inquiries, because I figured he was doing his job, a job I'd rather have him doing than not doing. 

Go ahead and call me mentally ill, but I figure there are better things to be offended by than a police officer asking me a few questions (like one did during a visit to DC in 1995 when I was photographng CSX action south of the metro area - she didn't offend me either and thankfully a CSX job came through as we were talking). 

[Phoebe Vet]

I obviously made the same leap, and apologize for that.  However, when combined with the complaint about being "hassled by the cops" it is a logical assumption.  Perhaps a better phrase would convey the proper thought.

Consider:

Secure in my convictions

man of intense beliefs

rigid one

etc.

[chad thomas]

We have devolved into a neurotic paranoid society who's obsession with security and safety borders on mental illness.

I agree

[Phoebe Vet]

Those 19 guys did not carry those box cutters through the metal detectors enroute to the aircraft.  They were put on board by others.

If you think giving up all your rights and liberties will make a world where nothing bad ever happens, you are mistaken.

We have devolved into a neurotic paranoid society who's obsession with security and safety borders on mental illness.

[chad thomas]

The name 'convicted one" is a play on words celebrating my hardheadedness, you know, as in 'one having strong convictions'?

 

 

Glad you cleared that up, I was thinking you might have been convicted of a crime. My bad.

[Anonymous]

WIAR:

Not a different tune at all.

One is a case of investigating something suspicious, determining that it was an innocent infringement, supplying the person with information he apparently did not have, that he was not allowed in that area and moving on.  That is not "being hassled".  There does, of course, exist the possibility that the officer's attitude was hostile, but no one got arrested, so it couldn't have been too hostile.

At the airport, the entire crowd of people, innocently going about their business in an area they have every right to enter are being treated like criminals.  That IS "being hassled".

Big difference.

I would have absolutely no problem with TSA patrolling transportation terminals and investigating anyone who acts in a manner that indicates they might be dangerous.  My objection is treating EVERYONE that way.  99% of all the people with whom police come in contact are innocent citizens peacefully going about their business.  Even the majority of violators have just done something stupid, they are not evil.  Those citizens deserve to be treated with respect.

My mistake.  I should remember that most police and sheriff's departments are required to hire only those candidates who have ESP and can read the minds of those hundreds of people they see on a daily basis, so they can more easily discern the "99%".  There were 19 guys a few years back who certainly looked like they were simply going about their business... and they were.

[Phoebe Vet]

WIAR:

Not a different tune at all.

One is a case of investigating something suspicious, determining that it was an innocent infringement, supplying the person with information he apparently did not have, that he was not allowed in that area and moving on.  That is not "being hassled".  There does, of course, exist the possibility that the officer's attitude was hostile, but no one got arrested, so it couldn't have been too hostile.

At the airport, the entire crowd of people, innocently going about their business in an area they have every right to enter are being treated like criminals.  That IS "being hassled".

Big difference.

I would have absolutely no problem with TSA patrolling transportation terminals and investigating anyone who acts in a manner that indicates they might be dangerous.  My objection is treating EVERYONE that way.  99% of all the people with whom police come in contact are innocent citizens peacefully going about their business.  Even the majority of violators have just done something stupid, they are not evil.  Those citizens deserve to be treated with respect.

[Anonymous]

Dear Convicted One:

What an odd thing to brag about.  I assume the name is derived from pride.

A major crime commonly committed against railroads is the theft of miles of copper wire from their right of way.  Any police officer who comes across a car parked on or near the right of way with no other apparent reason for being there would be derelict in his duty if he DIDN'T check it out.

I am only an authority on the laws in New York, but at least there when you enter or remain on the property of another you are trespassing if you pass any kind of a barrier intended to keep you out.  That can be a fence, a wall, a hedge row, or even just a no trespassing sign.  You are also trespassing if you are instructed to leave by anyone who has the authority to do so, and you fail to comply or you return.

It sounds to me like that Police Officer has instructed you to stay off railroad property.  Next time you enter it you will be trespassing and probably arrested.  If you had walked out carrying wire cutters, or any railroad property you would probably be posting your complaint from the computer in the jail library.

If you want to rail fan, photograph from a safe place where you are allowed to be and by all means look like a civil person and not like a street thug as is currently so popular with our youth.

Cheese:

Your story sounds like an alcohol induced fantasy.  "So I told my daddy and he had him fired?"

If that happened then you left out a lot of details.

Hmmmm, based-on your earlier posts, I'd have assumed this is the typical behavior of the "Gestapo".  You do seem to be whistling a different tune in this case.

[Convicted One]

Dear Convicted One:

What an odd thing to brag about.  I assume the name is derived from pride.

A major crime commonly committed against railroads is the theft of miles of copper wire from their right of way.  Any police officer who comes across a car parked on or near the right of way with no other apparent reason for being there would be derelict in his duty if he DIDN'T check it out.

I am only an authority on the laws in New York, but at least there when you enter or remain on the property of another you are trespassing if you pass any kind of a barrier intended to keep you out.  That can be a fence, a wall, a hedge row, or even just a no trespassing sign.  You are also trespassing if you are instructed to leave by anyone who has the authority to do so, and you fail to comply or you return.

It sounds to me like that Police Officer has instructed you to stay off railroad property.  Next time you enter it you will be trespassing and probably arrested.  If you had walked out carrying wire cutters, or any railroad property you would probably be posting your complaint from the computer in the jail library.

If you want to rail fan, photograph from a safe place where you are allowed to be and by all means look like a civil person and not like a street thug as is currently so popular with our youth..

 

Man! talk about grabbing up the football and running it across the WRONG goal line...lol. I hardly know where to start.

You know what thay say about "assuming"...and sage advice such as that NEVER had more application than right here.

First of all WHERE ON EARTH DO YOU GET THE IDEA  (from this thread) THAT I HAVE BEEN "INSTRUCTED" BY A police officer of ANYTHING?

The name 'convicted one" is a play on words celebrating my hardheadedness, you know, as in 'one having strong convictions'?

 

lol, hope this helps!

[sanvtoman]

 Speaking of trespassing in Ohio every NS road crossing i have seen is posted with a No trespassing sign. If NS is that way systemwide that is a lot of signs. And they are on both sides of the crossing. The sign company is doing well.

[Goober]

So, yesterday evening my girlfriend and I decided to walk an old abandoned set of branch /shortline track

Ummmmmm am I the only one that is seeing what the whole problem is here???  In this post and then in his next reply, he again refers to the problem.  Lord, it is the woman you have given to me, she is the......there is the problem!!!  And. I'll be willing to bet that she didn't wave!

 

[joegreen]

I am so glad im a member here.......