Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Illinois Deputy Threatens To Add Man To Terrorist Watch List For Photographing Train
Pixiq.com ^ | March 18, 2012 | Carlos Miller

Posted on 03/20/2012 12:23:34 PM PDT by Altariel

A man who was taking pictures near a train track in Illinois was confronted by a sheriff’s deputy who informed him that he was breaking the law, so therefore he had no choice but to report the photographer to Homeland Security.

The photographer, who describes himself as a disabled war veteran and former state worker, was left wondering if the deputy had any legal basis for adding him to a terrorist watch list.

The photographer, who goes by RustyBug, posted his story on Fred Miranda’s site last week where it has generated considerable discussion.

RustyBug, who never states which sheriff’s department harassed him, said the deputy told him it was against the law to shoot within 550 feet from train tracks, which is complete hogwash.

RustyBug said he really wasn’t buying it, but he wasn’t sure either, which shows us the importance of knowing the law when it comes to photography because too many cops don’t know the law.

Perhaps this is a good time to remind readers of the photographer rights lens cloths/neck badge combos they can purchase to contribute to my legal defense fund.

RustyBug called the sheriff’s department as well as other federal agencies and discovered the deputy was lying.

However, he also discovered there is an Illinois terrorism database where cops can place you if you piss them off.

The State of Illinois has its own database specifically for law enforement officials to report AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION anyone they feel has been doing something that they felt was suspicious or unwarranted EVEN IF IT IS NOT A REPORTABLE OFFENSE.

The acronym for the database is STIC (I think I got that right). and apparently is not widely known about (DSP) yet ... but this particular officer who is a member of the larger tactical force has already been made aware of its development.

The Captain informed me that I was NOT put on the list and that the officer mis-spoke @ the REQUIREMENT to do so vs. the ABILITY to do so. The Captain and I spoke regarding some strategies at how I might continue to shoot and help alleviate concerns @ LEO.

Meanwhile, a reader posted the New Jersey Homeland Security Terrorism Awareness and Prevention guide, which advises readers to be on the lookout for people “taking pictures in areas not normally of interest.”


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: donutwatch; govtabuse; illinois; leofascism; photography; rapeofliberty; train

1 posted on 03/20/2012 12:23:41 PM PDT by Altariel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Altariel
...taking pictures in areas not normally of interest...

In photography class (a long, long, time ago when we used film), all of our assignments seemed to be 'taking pictures in areas not normally of interest'.

No glamour photography, mostly B&W photos of urban blight.

2 posted on 03/20/2012 12:32:04 PM PDT by Never on my watch (I'd rather light a candle than curse the flatulence.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altariel

The guy should look into whether he has a basis for a civil rights lawsuit against the sheriff’s deputy.

I am a huge fan of law enforcement generally but if they’re harassing law-abiding citizens with such nonsense then the only way to check them is by litigation.

I am sick of terrorism paranoia being invoked to justify a government clampdown on the citizenry.


3 posted on 03/20/2012 12:33:38 PM PDT by AtlasStalled
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altariel
Any 5th grader knows that real terrorists use spy cameras disguised as Coke cans, boxes of tissue, wrist watch cams, sunglass cams, hat cams etc.

DHS are and this cop are morons. etc...

4 posted on 03/20/2012 12:38:16 PM PDT by bunkerhill7 (There are spy cams? Really ? Who knew?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: AtlasStalled

“I am sick of terrorism paranoia being invoked to justify a government clampdown on the citizenry.”

Well said.


5 posted on 03/20/2012 12:41:32 PM PDT by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Altariel
"Meanwhile, a reader posted the New Jersey Homeland Security Terrorism Awareness and Prevention guide, which advises readers to be on the lookout for people “taking pictures in areas not normally of interest.”

Define "not normally of interest".

I've been sitting somewhere happily photographing birds and had rentacops come up and ask what I was doing, they didn't even know the birds were there. I've also been seen on my belly under a bush photographing a bug or lizard. I suppose that isn't "normally of interest" for most cops, but it's what I do!

One of these days I'm going to shove a monopod somewhere the sun don't shine, I'm tired of being messed with!

6 posted on 03/20/2012 12:50:26 PM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (The Second Amendment, a Matter of Fact, Not a Matter of Opinion)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altariel
Another thug with a badge who very likely hears voices in their head, in this case it's a chorus singing der Horst-Wessel-Lied.

Sieg Heil Deputy, Sieg Heil you asshat.
7 posted on 03/20/2012 12:51:26 PM PDT by mkjessup (Jimmy Carter is the Skidmark in the panties of American history, 0bama is the yellow stain in front!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altariel

I’ve heard that the Feds keep a very close eye on the coal trains in Nebraska.


8 posted on 03/20/2012 12:51:41 PM PDT by Jack Hydrazine (It's the end of the world as we know it and I feel fine!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SWAMPSNIPER
Naturally, it'll be left undefined. They need *some* wiggle room to catch criminals conservative photographers, after all.
9 posted on 03/20/2012 1:03:59 PM PDT by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Altariel

My son is a train buff (ever since he was 5), and he now shoots HD videos of trains and posts them on YouTube for everyone’s enjoyment, and has following worldwide. I would say that unless this person violated, or interfered in any way, with the operations of the train movement, then the officer was out of line.


10 posted on 03/20/2012 1:04:56 PM PDT by LibFreeUSA (Pick Your Poison)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altariel
126 people were indicted for being terrorists in the last two years. Every one of them was Muslim.

But Homeland Security Videos over-whelmingly show terrorists as WHITE MIDDLE CLASS MEN...

Photobucket

11 posted on 03/20/2012 1:10:26 PM PDT by SkyDancer (Talent Without Ambition Is Sad - Ambition Without Talent Is Worse)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altariel
The acronym for the database is STIC (I think I got that right).

So, if a cop doesn't like you, he can STIC it to you!

12 posted on 03/20/2012 1:11:29 PM PDT by JimRed (Excising a cancer before it kills us waters the Tree of Liberty! TERM LIMITS, NOW AND FOREVER!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer
126 people were indicted for being terrorists in the last two years. Every one of them was Muslim.

It should have been at least 127. Our first Muslim President is an economic and political terrorist.

13 posted on 03/20/2012 1:15:36 PM PDT by politicianslie (Obama: America's first Muslim POTUS, doing all he can to destroy America. HELLO, can anyone th)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Altariel

Turning America into a police state is no good alternative to fighting a necessarily larger foreign war. Police work in a surveillance society will not catch all assassins/guerrillas (terrorists), either. The only practical way to defend against them is to destroy their will to fight in their own countries before more of them try to attack.


14 posted on 03/20/2012 2:25:05 PM PDT by familyop (We Baby Boomers are croaking in an avalanche of rotten politics smelled around the planet.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Altariel

“The State of Illinois has its own database specifically for law enforement officials to report AT THEIR OWN DISCRETION anyone they feel has been doing something that they felt was suspicious or unwarranted EVEN IF IT IS NOT A REPORTABLE OFFENSE.”

Forget it, Jack, it’s Obamaland….
(apologies to J.J. Gittes)


15 posted on 03/20/2012 4:14:31 PM PDT by Road Glide
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson