Photography ban in the NYC Subways...

Man-Fai Wong · 01-07-2005, 04:37 PM

Not sure if this is an acceptable subject here, but thought I'd try.

Basically, the NY MTA has proposed a ban on cameras in the subways w/ a 45-day period for public comment that ends this weekend. They originally proposed it back in the summer, but backed off after getting lots of negative feedback (including from the Mayor). Now, they're back and seem to be trying to sneak it through the holiday season. See these links for some details:

http://www.nydailynews.com/11-30-200...p-220531c.html

http://www.nycsubway.org/photoban.html

If you care about this issue, let your voice be heard even if you live outside NYC and/or the USA since tourism matters to NYC -- and tourists are some of the most likely shooters in the subways. Please sign this petition ASAP to help defeat the ban proposal (as the deadline is this weekend):

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/notransitpicban

You can also send the MTA your comments directly via this page on their site -- just choose "Rules of Conduct Comment" for your category:

http://mta-nyc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/...0p_cat_lvl1=12

Today, it's the NYC subway, but tomorrow, it could easily be many other public places around NYC, the USA or most anywhere else in the world. And yes, while I too am concerned about terrorism, this is no way to address it. What will they do next? Install metal detectors at the turnstyles and check people's bags as they enter the subways like they do at airports, etc? Ban cell phones everywhere because they can be instrumental for terrorism?

You can also check the Straphangers Campaign to see what they're doing about the ban proposal, including a new direct letter, old poll, contest, etc:

http://www.straphangers.org/photoban/index.htm

_Man_

Elinor · 01-07-2005, 04:41 PM

Um, Man, HELLO ... it already is the case in Washington DC ... a ton of Federal Buildings are already banned from photography.

Welcome to the new world order.

Man-Fai Wong · 01-07-2005, 05:02 PM

Hi, Elinor.

Yes, I'm aware that Federal locations and many municipal ones too around the country (especially in NYC and DC area) already have such a ban in place. Indeed, there are even a few transit systems that also have a ban in place although New Jersey Transit actually recently revoked their ban. Regardless, that does not mean we should just let them add more to these bans, especially when the bans are so broad and general.

In this case (and probably most involving transit systems), a ban will not do anything to stop terrorists, but will only stop law abiding citizens. Think about it. It's way easy for a terrorist to use a cell phone cam or even a small compact digicam to get surveilance quality photos w/out being detected. And really, what's to stop them from using their eyes and pen and paper anyway? And ironically, even as they propose this ban, they are *reducing* the MTA workforce, eg. token booth clerks, train conductors, etc, which actually weakens security rather than strengthens it. Meanwhile, they are also proposing more fare hikes despite only having passed one just last year.

They should do their jobs rather than pass some lame bans that do nothing but take away our rights and give a superficial appearance of doing something.

_Man_

Elinor · 01-07-2005, 05:08 PM

Well, your enthusiasm for citizen action is admirable.

I've been around long enough to realize that until something slaps Joe/Jane America right across the face, they won't lift a finger to do anything about it.

More rights are given away than are taken away.

Man-Fai Wong · 01-07-2005, 05:23 PM

Yes, I agree w/ you. And we shouldn't just give them away so easily.

BTW, the ban hadn't passed yet (and wasn't even officially proposed until end of November), but I've certainly been told otherwise a few times since the summer nonetheless -- and I'm definitely not the only one. If people just trust everything that a cop or transit worker or whatever official says (as most people are likely to), they won't even need an actual ban or whatever laws.

I'm not suggesting we make things difficult for the law enforcers, but then again, we don't want a police state here, do we?

_Man_

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andrew markworthy · 01-08-2005, 04:06 AM

I'm sorry to sound naive, but how on earth does taking a photograph in a subway affect security?

In the UK we had problems with the IRA for decades. At the height of 'The Troubles' in the seventies, whilst there were some very obvioius security measures put in place (which nobody objected to, incidentally) there was nothing as bizarre as a ban on cameras.

Nigel McN · 01-08-2005, 07:47 AM

Basically it seems the story is the same everywhere, there doesn't have to been any logic or actual reason behind what you do, as long as you appear to do something.

Elinor · 01-08-2005, 04:36 PM

>"I'm sorry to sound naive, but how on earth does taking a photograph in a subway affect security?"

A few months ago several off-duty policy officers spotted a "family" taking camcorder footage as they crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. It seemed odd to them that the folks appeared to be (allegedly) photographing supports and the structure of the bridge itself. They were detained. After a few days, it was allegedly (am I covering myself well enough here?) discovered that the "father" of the family had some ties to an alleged terrorist group in the middle East.

I don't know how the story unfolded after that.

I think the fear is (founded or not) that having photos/footage can make the terrorists' job easier as they decide where to place charges in their supposed plots to blow up bridges, buildings, derail trains, etc.

I think it's paranoia, combined with the desire to appear to be doing something to "fight the terrorists." I don't remember seeing that as a major initiative that was omitted in the 911 report, but hey, it IS visible.

Don Black · 01-08-2005, 05:15 PM

This is ridiculous. So are the federal rules. Have any of these cases made it to a federal court yet?

Carl Miller · 01-09-2005, 10:35 AM

Quote:

I think it's paranoia, combined with the desire to appear to be doing something to "fight the terrorists." I don't remember seeing that as a major initiative that was omitted in the 911 report, but hey, it IS visible.

I don't think it's paranoia. According to law enforcement, the WTC was photographed and cased by the terrorists both times before it was hit.

It's not a stretch to suggest that having photographs of the platforms, signage, entrances and exits of the NYC subway system would make it easier for terrorists to strike....And increase the liklihood that the actual bomb planters would successfully plant a bomb where the planners wanted it.

Having said that, I don't support the ban either for most of the reasons Man mentioned...though I'm not convinced such a ban would impact tourism one iota.