[eddie1960]

Sorry, but we don't have pedestrians in Detroit. We have hookers, pimps, drug dealers, gang bangers, homeless people and dopers, but no pedestrians. They were all killed and eaten long ago.

LMFAO nice perpetuating of stereotypes there

[Lowell Goudge]

It would be different if there were any buildings in Detroit worth blowing up.

Actually there is quite a lot worth blowing up in detroit. All in the name of urban renewal

Sorry, but we don't have pedestrians in Detroit. We have hookers, pimps, drug dealers, gang bangers, homeless people and dopers, but no pedestrians. They were all killed and eaten long ago.

LMFAO nice perpetuating of stereotypes there

I can't speak of current detroit, but when I was there in the late 1980's tom's observation was quite correct.

I stayed at Washington and Michigan, and considering 6 lanes each crossing at 90 degrees, you could lay down in the middle of the road from 7)00pm to 7:00 am and have no fear AT ALL of being either mugged or run over. Downtown Detroit in the 80's was completely deserted at night. even the criminals avoided it, only because there was no opportunity for crime. After all Business is Business

[DigiMack]

Before Christmas, I had my tripod setup to take some pictures of a storefront that I found interesting. A police man on his way to the coffee house next door started asking about what I was doing, who I worked for, etc. I had a civil conversation with the guy and then he left me alone, but I found it kind of intimidating to be put on the spot like that.

Has anyone else had this sort of thing happen to them?

I'm hoping that this isn't a general trend here in the states.

I think it is just a matter of presentation. Last Oct. I was shooting architecture & historic structures in a local Pennsylvania suburb and got questioned by an irate resident and then three police officers who pulled up in two cruisers. A female associate was doing the same type of shooting along another street, but never caught glimpse of an officer. -Go figure?
Since then I have been wearing an orange workers vest when-ever shooting along the streets, and no one pays any attention. Like I say -Go figure!

[Gene Temple]

I like it that police pay attention. They're there to keep the gentry in line!

[drugal]

Thanks for the comments, that gives me a little bit more perspective on the matter. A buddy at work had convinced me that the cop wasn't in the right.

I think you guys are right that it was no big deal. I just wanted to know if I should brace for being really harassed if I wanted to take pictures of the capital in Lansing or something.

BTW I was set up in a virtually empty parking lot at 6am on a Sunday morning. So I wasn't in anybodies way, but maybe the fact I was up so early was why he talked to me?

[eddie1960]

Thanks for the comments, that gives me a little bit more perspective on the matter. A buddy at work had convinced me that the cop wasn't in the right.

I think you guys are right that it was no big deal. I just wanted to know if I should brace for being really harassed if I wanted to take pictures of the capital in Lansing or something.

BTW I was set up in a virtually empty parking lot at 6am on a Sunday morning. So I wasn't in anybodies way, but maybe the fact I was up so early was why he talked to me?

yep 6 am would raise some questions to someone who isn't a photographer. (what the hell is that fool doing in the parking lot at 6am, think i'll stroll over and chat

On vacation i am frequently out at dawn shooting while my wife sleeps. best time of day some times

[RioRico]

there is a general trend toward "community policing" that involves police officers stopping to chat with folks.

And this was old-style policing before USA cities sprawled into 'burbs, in the urban cores. The beat cop (on foot) was expected to know who and what was around, to have a sense of what's right, what's out of place -- to observe. A casual, "Hi, whatcha doing?" isn't an interrogation. Too often, the modern counterpart has a half-dozen squad cars screaming up and a dozen paramilitaries waving guns at you and yelling. Ie, confront the suspicious with OVERWHELMING FORCE. Argh.

Since then I have been wearing an orange workers vest when-ever shooting along the streets, and no one pays any attention.

Great idea! Then you're just another utility schlub or municipal drone. BOR-ring...

[Tom S.]

Thanks for the comments, that gives me a little bit more perspective on the matter. A buddy at work had convinced me that the cop wasn't in the right.

I think you guys are right that it was no big deal. I just wanted to know if I should brace for being really harassed if I wanted to take pictures of the capital in Lansing or something.

BTW I was set up in a virtually empty parking lot at 6am on a Sunday morning. So I wasn't in anybodies way, but maybe the fact I was up so early was why he talked to me?

Maybe Mayor Bing thought you were filming another reality show...

[deltoidjohn]

This is one of the reasons DSLR's have become so popular with videographers - for whom I can say this is often a major problem. DSLR's are much more common than professional video cameras, as well as being smaller, so draw less attention. If you are out and about just shooting stuff for a doco, the sight of a larger camera with tripod, shotgun mic etc draws attention. You immediately flag yourself to be hassled - "Do you have a permit, blah, blah, blah." They see the bigger camera and their thought process must go something like this - "big camera = big production = big liability = needs to have a permit."

I can understand a Police officer being inquisitive, I can even understand if they are shady on the laws (ever had a look at your full legislation (including all levels of government from National down to your local council? Thats a hell of a lot of sub-sections for them to memorise!). But it is important to assert your rights. This need not be done in a confrontational way at all - simply reference the applicable legislation (even better carry a copy of it) and tell him you'll be done shortly, and that he's welcome to observe if he feels there is any suspiscous behaviour (so long as he does not interfere with your work).

Having said that, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the legislation that applies in your locality. Also be aware that should the particular Police Officer take a dislike to you (ie if you tell him to piss off and that he's completely wrong), he can easily have you charged with something like "public nuisance" or "obstructing a public pathway", which can easily lead to "resisting arrest" if you don't do as he says.

[drugal]

... which can easily lead to "resisting arrest" if you don't do as he says.

My Dad always told me not to flunk the attitude test

So when the cop first approached me, I smiled and joked around about how slippery it was (he almost slipped and fell as he was walking up to me).

Good advice about knowing the laws.

[Tom S.]

This is one of the reasons DSLR's have become so popular with videographers - for whom I can say this is often a major problem. DSLR's are much more common than professional video cameras, as well as being smaller, so draw less attention. If you are out and about just shooting stuff for a doco, the sight of a larger camera with tripod, shotgun mic etc draws attention. You immediately flag yourself to be hassled - "Do you have a permit, blah, blah, blah." They see the bigger camera and their thought process must go something like this - "big camera = big production = big liability = needs to have a permit."

I can understand a Police officer being inquisitive, I can even understand if they are shady on the laws (ever had a look at your full legislation (including all levels of government from National down to your local council? Thats a hell of a lot of sub-sections for them to memorise!). But it is important to assert your rights. This need not be done in a confrontational way at all - simply reference the applicable legislation (even better carry a copy of it) and tell him you'll be done shortly, and that he's welcome to observe if he feels there is any suspiscous behaviour (so long as he does not interfere with your work).

Having said that, it is important that you familiarise yourself with the legislation that applies in your locality. Also be aware that should the particular Police Officer take a dislike to you (ie if you tell him to piss off and that he's completely wrong), he can easily have you charged with something like "public nuisance" or "obstructing a public pathway", which can easily lead to "resisting arrest" if you don't do as he says.

In this case, it actually goes beyond that. About a year ago, a film company was doing a reality based show in Detroit that involved the Police Department. The film crew went on a SWAT raid in which a child was tragically killed by an officer. That, along with an incident involving the Chief of police led the Mayor of Detroit (former NBA player and entrepreneur) Dave Bing to ban all reality shows/filming in Detroit without his specific approval. So seeing a camera on a tripod, may have registered back to that order.

[DeadJohn]

... Too often, the modern counterpart has a half-dozen squad cars screaming up and a dozen paramilitaries waving guns at you and yelling. Ie, confront the suspicious with OVERWHELMING FORCE. Argh....

I see this many days at work.

I work in New York City and ride the train each morning. I pass through a large, crowded, old, and cramped station. It's made more crowded by all the National Guard and NYPD performing security theater. If anything did go down, gunfire would be at close range, where a pistol would be more practical than some of the large rifles they carry.

Then it continues outside my office. Our building overlooks a heliport that can be used by the President and other visitors. It's not unusual to see 100+ NYPD patrol cars and 20+ unmarked vehicles double-parked as I go for lunch. I've tried doing an actual count but there are too many. Most of the time it seems like they are just there for practice or to watch over a secondary landing site - no helicopters show up.

[woof]

To the OP... seems to me that you did just the right thing. Given that he did not ask you to stop, and given that he now knows you, you are probably fine shooting in that neighborhood, and in fact probably a little safer. He knows your a "good guy" now.

Some folks make a big deal about being spoken to by the police. It's not an affront. It's not a threat. I've had occasion to speak to cops many times in my life, and more than once I had some kind of gun in my hands.

It's never been a problem unless I was doing something wrong and KNEW it or could not have helped knowing it. Even then the encounters were rarely anything other than rather even-handed and professional on their part. And I am convinced that in those situations, based on my behavior - which was always contrite - I was never run in or arrested, but rather was merely given (well deserved) warnings.

I take a lot of photos in and around New Haven and Yale University. I've had cops ask me what I am doing, as well as having Yale Security "card" me. On the former, I've never felt intimidated, and I would never lie about who I work for and what I am really doing. If they catch you in a lie they will run you in.

If you have nothing to hide, tell the truth. If you are over the line, they will let you know and will warn you. I personally think there is less to "fear" from police organizations than there is from some of the paramilitary types that are often hired for large scale security in places such as... Disneyland... anyone recall that thread?

On Yale Security, I've never really had an issue. I've been asked for my ID because I have been "caught" inside buildings, once with a tripod. People walk around that campus all the time taking photos. When they catch you at it in a building, they want to know that you belong there in some form. It's a good thing. As an employee, I don't want just anyone walking though my building. It's a city. There are all kinds of unsavory types around. The last security guard even said to me... "I hope you understand and see that I am just doing my job... just as you are doing yours." Heh. Well one of those two statements was correct. I just thanked him. I meant it too. I've seen him since. He waved and smiled... seems I "own" that part of campus now.

When they find that you are an employee and you explain that you are an amateur photographer and show them the shots you've taken, they "get it." I recently requested permission to photograph the British Art Center stairwell. I got a security escort. Nice guy. Worked out great. I've since returned. I go right to their desk and tell them that I am going to go photograph up on the floor where they allow cameras. I don't have to do that, but they appreciate the openness. It give me a little latitude to stretch things a little.

Simply be mild, respectful, and forthcoming. Do not take attitude. Unless you are outright trespassing, you probably have a right to be doing what you are doing. But remember that the cop/security guard also has a right to question what you are doing. Be nice. Be helpful. Educate them. You cause an issue with them and the next time (when its me - or worse, you AGAIN) you've probably made that encounter harder for whomever it is. And they talk to each other. Word spreads. You can do something to improve the situation. Take every opportunity to do so.

woof!

[Wheatfield]

If you want to have fun, walk up to a police officer, offer him a cheery hello, make a bit of small talk and then move on, wishing him a nice day.
Or her, as the case may be.
A cop talking to me when I am in public is the same as anyone else coming up and making conversation with me.
In either instance the only time it has a chance of going sideways is if the other person insists on pursuing a line of reasoning that takes away my right to be there.

[Gashog]

I've had a few exchanges with cops. One found a switch blade on me and gave it right back!
I dove in the middle of a nasty arrest once.

I'm sure I've been approached while taking pictures but I honestly can't remember one specific instance.
I've had cops tell me "you can't be here" and then tell me where I should be.
I'm one of those guys who wears his heart right out there on his sleeve. Honest face. I never get hassled.