Man Caught Photographing Refinery in Texas

Fox News Channel ^ | 12/30/01 | Self

[The_Media_never_lie]

This morning on Fox News there was a report of a middle eastern man being noticed by an off duty policeman photographing a Diamond Shamrock oil refinery in Texas. The man was apprehended by law enforcement. When questioned, he did not come up with any logical explanation for his photographing the refinery. The Fox video report showed the man in custody. The report also showed his late model car which was found to contain only maps of undisclosed locations.

[pollwatcher]

If we have anything near another 9/11 here, FDR-style incarcerations may be necessary for these people's OWN protection!

[tubebender]

It will be a while before I use a camera again I have a great picture hanging in my office of a Clorine Free Pulp Mill. Don't tell anyone please.(yes, I took the picture)

[nevergore]

Logan Airport would definitely hire him!

NeverGore

[Thorondir]

As jealous of my freedom as I am, and as aware as I am that my freedom and the other guy's freedom are intertwined, I say that we ought to recognize the common sense value of at least some 'profiling' of Middle Easterners. (at least until it can be demonstrated that we've got an equally big problem with Irish, Chinese or Nigerian terrorists)

The problem is with MUSLIM terrorists, which are 90+% of terrorists. They have bided their time and now think it is time to attack and destroy human civilization, so as to subjugate all of mankind to their unholy religion of mysoginy , intolerance, oppression and violence. PROFILE ALL MUSLIMS! They are the problem.

[Nita Nupress]

Here it is:

http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlc=562478

Refinery photos catch cops' eyes

By John Tedesco
Express-News Coastal Bend Bureau

Web Posted : 12/28/2001 12:00 AM

CORPUS CHRISTI — A few photographers in this refinery town have gotten a close-up with police.

Officers responded to three reports this week of people taking pictures of petrochemical facilities that dot the city's north side.

Refineries, with their massive stores of toxic chemicals and fuel supplies, have been identified as possible terrorist targets in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"For some reason, I don't know why, but the last couple days we've had an inordinate number of people taking pictures of refineries," said Cmdr. Brian Uhler of the Corpus Christi Police Department.

No one has been arrested. Taking pictures from public streets isn't against the law. But two people have been detained for questioning.

The first incident occurred on Monday, when an off-duty police officer spotted a man near Interstate 37 taking snapshots of a refinery.

The man, who drove a vehicle with out-of-state license plates, was stopped by uniformed police at a local furniture store. Officers called the FBI and immigration authorities when it was learned that the photographer was from Turkey. He was later released and no charges were filed.

Uhler declined to identify the man, saying the FBI was looking at the incident, and a police report of the episode was not immediately available.

A day later a second photographer near the refineries was stopped for questioning and released, and on Wednesday police received a 911 call when a resident spotted another photographer.

The incidents don't measure up to the rash of calls the city received during the anthrax scare. In one week then, authorities responded to roughly 160 false alarms. But city officials have noticed the photography trend.

"It's gratifying to us that we get these kinds of reports to follow up on," said Police Chief Pete Alvarez. "Initially we might think there's nothing to it, but then again you never know. We'd rather go on the safe side."

City officials say the police response has been fair with those who were questioned.

"(Taking pictures) is not against the law," said City Manager David Garcia. "And it's not against the law to answer a few questions about where you're from and how your day is going.

"We're at war. And it's an unusual war where the targets of our enemies have been domestic."

[ChaseR]

"Fox News there was a report of a middle eastern man being noticed by an off duty
policeman photographing a Diamond Shamrock oil refinery in Texas."

ChaseR, this reminds me of a conversation we had not so long ago.
But, it speaks well to your point that security at our refineries must surely be excellent." We can only hope so."

"...must surely be excellent."

***
Over the past few weeks - and since we discussed this topic that day - I now have second thoughts on "security at our refineries" - especially now with this thread!

I don't like any of this!!

[Clive]

Here are your links:

Iraqi pleads guilty in hazmat license bribery

56 charged in license-selling scheme

[rwfromkansas]

Since Sept. 11 there have been photographed refineries.....still nothing is happened. What is taking so long?

[JohnPaulJones]

It's beginning to sound like we live in a POLICE STATE state. What next...Will we begin to arrest folks for taking photos of everthing?

[rwfromkansas]

has I mean.

[ChaseR]

In fact, just think what one person could do (a sleeper) ....

...who simply parks on the feeder - and pulls out a - - God Damn FLARE GUN!!

No, I don't like any of this...and I now hope that all the refinery folks - beef up security outside their fences!!

[expose]

One man today can be more powerful than any army.

But yet our government refuses to close our borders and stop all Visa's for protection of it's citizens.

If there is any more American blood spilled by the way of terrorism in America, the President, the Senate, and the House have to take some responsibility

[ChaseR]

Not doubting you at all Media, but, since there is no link to this story - because you saw it on T. V., let me ask you this; what time was it when you heard this on Fox News please? (roughly?? I'll call/email/fax them thanks)

[ChaseR]

I mean roughly what time? Ten till the hour - quarter past the hour - thanks.

[expose]

U.N peacekeepers in America

[cardinal4]

Another economy killer would be taking out all of the Mississippi bridges.Tractor Trailer and train traffic East to West would grind to a halt,taking out economy with it.I cross it every day and can tell you that there doesnt appear to be anyway to defend against it.BTW the Tolerance,Please,Tolerance comment was sarcasm.

Bridge at Moline ,Ill(I-74)

[Irish Eyes]

Your post makes the most sense I have seen in along time. It is time for the PC crowd to stand aside. Our security should be at the top of the list. Sadly to many people have been brainwashed to believe the opposite. If people are here on expired visas or cannot prove citizenship or have other legal documentation I see no reason for them not to be "booted" out of the country. We are living in extreme times and extreme measures should be taken.

[3catsanadog]

Bless you - I tried to post the links using the instructions (below the box where you write your post) exactly. What am I doing wrong????

[JohnPaulJones]

Next we will read tourist arrested for taking photo of the White House....

[Roebucks]

As another poster said earlier on this thread, I remain most concerned about the small town storage and smaller refineries due to very little security... The biggest question I have on this event is why it took an off duty cop to notice the event. Where were the on duty security officers?