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Another MBTA worker who doesn't get the picture
By adamg on Fri, 02/12/2010 - 8:54am
Jeff Tamagini reports a run-in at Kenmore this morning with an MBTA supervisor unaware that the authority allows photography in stations:
... The train pulls up and opens its doors, I take my camera off my shoulder to carry it in my hand so it doesn't bang into the door, when I get a tap on the shoulder. It's the MBTA inspector that was in the little booth on the platform, he asking me with a snarky attitude if I am taking pictures, I say "No, I'm getting on the train", and I get a "Okay its against the law to take pictures on the T". When are the officials of this horrid system going to learn their own laws and policies! ...
Official MBTA photo policy, which states photography is allowed, with certain restrictions (such as no flash or tripod).
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Comments
MBTA Photo Policy Education Month!
Let's declare an upcoming month as "MBTA Photo Policy Education Month." We can all carry copies of the policy and hand them to every MBTA employee we come across in our daily travels. With all the Boston photo groups online, this could go viral pretty quickly.
I keep a copy of the policy
I keep a copy of the policy in my camera bag in case I ever find myself taking pictures down there. With the lack of informed employees it seems like due diligence.
Ditto for the bike policy
Amazing how many commuter rail conductors and station personnel think they can just make it all up themselves, or were poorly trained to start with and then never informed of changes. Then they act like you made that website or policy up yourself - it can't POSSIBLY be T policy, even if it has "MBTA.com" on it!
Sounds like there is a serious problem with getting some basic policy information through the system to the people on the front lines. Heaven forfend they just post the policies in the stations (although the Kendall Square station staff have done this with the bike policy).
Gropers & Cameras
In fact, official policy actively encourages picture-taking: Every train and bus also has a sign warning gropers & pervs that almost everyone on board has a cameraphone and will take pictures of inappropriate behavior. And is ENCOURAGED to take pictures of inappropriate behavior.
MBTA employees
Unfortunately I think it's more than just ignorant MBTA employees. I'm sure their managers are reinforcing this falsehood as most people are willing to just accept it as fact instead of challenging them on it. In the end, they get the result they want without a legal challenge. The ACLU has already fought this fight which is why the current policy is in place.
I'm working with a couple people to try to formalize a shoot-in or protest of some type as an awareness measure. In the meantime:
1) Keep a copy of the MBTA photo policy in your camera bag or on your person.
2) Put this guy in your cell phone, he is the owner of transitpolice.us, the site which hosts the policy and a deputy chief in the MBTA.
Lewis Best
Deputy Chief of Police
Investigative Services
617-222-1113
3) Stand firm but be polite at all times. No reason to give them ammunition against you on some actual charge.
4) Twitter/blog/IM/Facebook encounters you have. Opening the problem up for public scrutiny is the only way to combat it.
policy fail
Section V of the policy says that, even though "Non-Commercial/Personal Use Photography" is permitted, MBTA employees ("officials") who "observe a person taking pictures" are required to (a) notify the photographer that what s/he's doing is legal as long as it doesn't block access or cause a disturbance, (b) notify the appropriate MBTA dispatcher, who will (c) call the cops, the transit cops. Meanwhile, the employee who apprehended the potential terrorist is to (d) record the photographer's personal information, which will then be (e) faxed to the Transit Police Intelligence Unit.
Sounds like official harassment, doesn't it? Is it even legal to demand and record the name and address of someone who's in full compliance with the policy, basically just a random passenger?
Why?
It is clear why the T wants to limit photography at stations (terrorism concerns).
What is so fascinating about a T station that you have to run around clicking photos?
Is it just so you can inflict your own sense of intellectual superiority to an anxious carman?
Stay home and take pictures of your cat.
That doesn't make sense
I don't see why I should care in the least about "terrorism concerns" on the T. Stop letting Fox News whip up groundless fears in your mind.
I'm sure it's a good place to shoot
I've never shot at a T station, but I can definitely see why one would want to. The lighting would be tough, but could give some cool shots, and it would be a lot better than mid-day direct sunlight. There's always something going on. There's a constant flow of people and the scene is constantly changing. Some people are hanging out alone, others are interacting in pairs, or in groups. Sounds like a great place to me. Better than shooting pics of your cat. ;-)
Right back act ya, tough guy
It is clear why I want to limit your comments (stupidity concerns).
What is so fascinating about your opinion that you have to run in here clicking on "Reply"?
Is it just so you can inflict your own lack of awareness at your intellectual inferiority to an uninterested blog reader?
Stay off the web and make comments at your cat.
Great pictures in T stations!
There are fantastic shots to be taken in the subway systems: both of beautiful urban architecture (up the stairs at Porter Square, anyone?)
and of interesting people on the T. Given that you can hang out in the T all day, being allowed
or forbidden from taking pictures has minimal impact on terrorist activities. It's about art.
It's been two years now since
It's been two years now since the policy was changed, hasn't it?
Makes me think someone keeps telling the employees to look out for "illegal" photography
WBZ TV reads UH
http://cbslocalblogs.prospero.com/n/blogs/blog.asp...
They had it on the 6 pm tonight and a T spokesperson acknowledged a problem. The T will be sending the policy to each employee and they will have to sign and acknowledge that they have it.
They do!
The reporter contacted me for help in contacting some of the folks who've had run-ins with the T. Yeah, MSM for getting results!
This photographer standing and applauding Mr UH!
Standing O for Adam-- many are deserved this one is given.
Standing O and hats off the Adam and Jeff Tamagini
here here. And hats off to Adam and @jtamagini for these posts that resulted in the WBZTV story!
The MBTA might just have
The MBTA might just have another reason to seriously consider informing their employees
http://secondavenuesagas.com/2010/02/10/unlawfuly-...
30k pay days for all!
don't forget Amtrak arrest of guy taking photos 4 Amtrak contest
reminds me of the hilarious Colbert Report on the photographer arrested by Amtrak cops for taking photos in Penn Station for an Amtrak contest (true story) http://bit.ly/dih5zN The photographer reportedly settled a wrongful arrest suit against Amtrak for something like $50K
Essentially, it's in
Essentially, it's in everybody's* best interest to continously take pictures in the hope that someone tries to detain you.
*excluding the "taxpayer"
Flash?
I see the no tripod part, but exactly where does the policy indicate no flash? The doc doesn't even use the word "flash."
I also agree with FenwayGuy, the policy is extremely confusing w/ regards to section V, it basically indicates that officials should always go into freakout mode when they see people taking pictures, i.e. every time *anyone* takes out a camera on the T, THREE people have to be informed, including the MBTA police. That's crazy.