I'll be damned if I ever let some ignorant JBT interfere with my decades old pastime.
Posted on 06/02/2011 8:48:45 AM PDT by DCBryan1
BALTIMORE (WJZ) — The Maryland Transit Administration says more training may be called for after three MTA officers detained a man for taking pictures at a light rail station.
Pat Warren has more on the incident.
According to the ACLU, this isn’t the first time MTA Police have overstepped their bounds.
In a YouTube posting, Christopher Fussell left the camera rolling when he was confronted by three MTA officers for taking pictures at the Baltimore Cultural Light Rail Station.
“It is my understanding that I am free to take pictures as long as it’s not for commercial purposes but for personal use,” Fussell said in the video.
“Not on state property, not without proper authorization,” an officer said.
Fussell: “From who?”
Officer: “Nobody’s allowed to take pictures.”
The MTA admits the officers were in error.
“They can most certainly take photos of our system,” Ralign Wells, the MTA Administrator, said.
In addition to being wrong about MTA and state policy, the officer incorrectly cites the Patriot Act.
“Listen, listen to what I’m saying. The Patriot Act says that critical infrastructure, trains, train stations, all those things require certain oversight to take pictures, whether you say they are for personal use or whatever, that’s your story,” the officer said.
“So why don’t you have any signs posted to say I cannot take pictures?” Fussell said.
“Our officers have become very sensitive post 9/11 and we’re trying to see that they understand our passengers and citizens also have a right to take pictures,” Wells said.
The officer eventually threatened to take Fussell into custody.
“Do you have Maryland state identification on you?” the officer asked.
“I am not committing a crime,” Fussell said.
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimore.cbslocal.com ...
I’m missing something. How can someone flee if he is free to go? If not free to go, then he is in custody already. I don’t get it.
No, you’re not missing anything. “Free to go” seems pretty cut and dry, and it is, UNLESS you’re dealing with MTA Officers, or airport security. You, as a law abiding citizen, is subject to the emotional state of mind of these officers. So each situation requires a calm analysis of which action to take.
These MTA officers were obviously stepping over the limits of authority, which is why Fussell will win this law suit.
Fussell may have believed that despite the fact that he may have been within his rights to leave, prudence required that he remain. The unreasonable officers may have “felt” that he was trying to flee.
It’s all speculation, but the scenario is plausible. After all, it’s happened in the past.
You’re lucky some O27-scale Rail Detective didn’t come out and shoot you in the toe.
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