[Scan-DC] Amtrak Corporate Guidelines on Photography and VideoRecording

[Samuel C. Dixon]

Maybe I'm missing something here but as I read this document, all I read is
that it is agency policy.  My understanding of it is that it is not a law.
Violation of the policy by my understanding would only constitute a
trespassing charge.  May they stop you and frisk you?  Absolutely.  Ask you
to stop the activity or leave?  Absolutely.  However having said that with
the resources Amtrak PD has I find it hard to believe they are going to
charge every one with a camera with a criminal charge, let alone make a
physical arrest.  Just remember being "suspicious" isn't against the law.
Use common sense and be cooperative and I would think you would be fine.

-----Original Message-----
From: scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:scan-dc-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Larry Sampas
Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 3:39 PM
To: Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Scan-DC] Amtrak Corporate Guidelines on Photography and
VideoRecording

The policy makes it clear that you can exercise your fourth amendment
rights to take pictures from public, unrestricted areas of public
things and still be arrested if the Amtrak police consider you
"suspicious." While section IV.2 of the policy says photography in and
of itself isn't suspicious, officers are given discretion to arrest by
any additional factor. Got a scanner and a camera? Very suspicious.
Certainly, you'd be able to contest it in court, but only after arrest
and hiring a lawyer. By the time you got to court, Amtrak would define
anywhere you were as restricted.

In general, these are the same guidelines they have for the Moscow
subway, and most public areas of the People's Republic of China. They
can arrest anyone they want to protect state security.

Despite being funded by the taxpayers, they attempt to retain
commercial rights to images of trains. If you take a great picture of
an Amtrak train and sell it to a stock agency, they can come after you
for a cut.



On Sun, Mar 15, 2009 at 11:21 AM,  <b_thom at juno.com> wrote:
>
>
> On Sun, 15 Mar 2009 00:59:55 -0400 "Alan Henney" <alan at henney.com>
> writes:
>>
>> http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Copy/Si
>> mple_Copy_Page&c=am2Copy&cid=1178294272520&ssid=11134
>>
>> Amtrak Corporate Guidelines on Photography and Video Recording
> ....
>
>> Photography and video recording within restricted areas are
>> prohibited. Individuals found in a restricted area will be subject
>> to
>> investigation and possible arrest and seizure of photography and/or
>> video recording equipment may occur pursuant to the arrest.
> ....
>
>> Restricted areas include but are not limited to the following:
>>
>> Platforms (ticketed passengers are exempt)
>> Crew and Employee Work Areas
>> Maintenance Facilities
>> Unoccupied Trains and Engines
>> Office Areas
>> Employee Elevators
>> Baggage/Delivery Areas
>> Commissaries
>> Right of Way and Track Areas
>> In service train cars
> ....
>
> Platforms and "track areas," which can mean just about anything, are
> restricted areas. Good luck with that. My picture should be on the wall
> of the Post Office along with that of Osama bin Laden.
> ____________________________________________________________
> Digital Photography - Click Now.
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