Across our country, many shutterbugs like ourselves are illegally arrested or detained for taking photos in public places, from the video cam helmet to the cell phone camera to the professional.
The following excerpt from Popular Mechanics addresses what you should do if you get approached by someone asking you to stop taking photos. This problem effects everyone with cameras, not just professional photographers. It is illegal to stop photography of public places, and we need to pressure our lawmakers to put laws in place to protect us, or make our law enforcers more aware of our rights.
"So what should you do if you're taking photos and a security guard or police officer approaches you and tells you to stop? First, be polite. Security people have tough jobs and probably mean well. Ask them what legal authority they have to make you stop. (If you're in a public place, like a street, a park, etc., they have none; if you're in a private place, such as a shopping mall, they may have a basis for banning pictures.) Krages advises those hassled by security guards to threaten to call law enforcement. If it's an actual police officer who's telling you to stop shooting, ask to speak to a superior. And remember--you never have a legal duty to delete pictures you've taken."
Popular Mechanics LINK
For more articles on the subject:
Gizmodo
NBC
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