These bans are absurd. A terrorist could simply sketch out an area they want to target, or just look around and make a decision. Tourists and transit fans taking pictures are NOT a threat, and stopping them from photographing will only make systems less friendly--not safer.
I photograph trains.Myself and everyone else in the railfan community always has and always will keep an eye out for anything suspicious! It is a form of"extra security" to the transportation companies...and it's FREE!!! We don't want ANYTHING to happen to our trains, busses, planes,etc...If photogaphers are baned, then so is the "extra, FREE Security"!!!!!
Ive been taking pics of trains for over a year now and I love it. I dont think that because this country is being threatened by terrorists should have any affect on what we do. We do this for fun. Nothing more, nothing less.
Undermining the rights of those upstanding citizens that wish to pursue the simple hobby of railroad photography only further proves the terrorists have truly succeeded in their quest to undermine the rights of all Americans.
A ban on transit photography serves no purpose other that an archaic excuse for police and special agents to harrass railfan photographers who might even discourage others who might have an evil motive for hanging around transit facilities. We need to get rid of being politically correct and concentrate on the truth of matters in "our " country.
As a transit professional (one who is employed in the transit industry), and a transportation historian, it is my view that transit photography is a way of preserving history of the growth of cities and how systems were developed to move large numbers of people, which in turn contributes to the vibrancy of the cities and of the country. If absolute bans on photography of transit vehicles are enacted, history will become undocumented for a specious reason. And everyone will lose!
Taking of photographs is a legitimate activity in a public setting. While I can see restrictions in secure locations such as national laboratories or nuclear power plants, or on the use of covert cameras, I can see no reason to ban overt photography in public.
The proposed photo ban is a completely ineffective yet draconian way of stomping down on terrorism. Terrorists are smart, very smart -- let's face it people. If photography were illegal, it would not be of any deterrent to the terrorists, only cause a minor shift in their tactics. Rather, this ban will only put a hamper on tourists and rail enthusiasts going about a hobby and leisure activity that is of no harm to anyone. This goes directly to the bottom line of the City and State, is it would certainly make NY less hospitable to tourists. And as aforementioned, where does it stop? Are all past photos of the system going to banned as well? Does any of this stop evil-doers from simply using their eyes and memories? Or covert pictures in an easy to hide cell phone cam?
I am a railfan and a railroad employee and am signing because I do not wish to see this hobby that I love be something that my own children (when I have them) will not be able to do because of laws that may be enacted to create a false sense of security. I believe in security as much as anyone, certainly, but taking pictures and video of trains certainly is not, in most cases, a breach of security.
The United States government is so screwed up! I'm still going to railfan! They can't honestly prove that anyone has crimnal intents by being fasinated by something...
There should be no photography ban. There is such a thing as a Bill of Rights, and our government should abide by it and not give in to the terrorists with strict rules. It is time to stop living in fear and get on with our normal lives like they were before 9/11.
I don't think there should be a ban on taking pictures. I mean as a transit fan, this is what we do and to now tell us not to do what we love is upsetting. There has to be some other way.Please reconsided. I love the MTA New York City Transit bus system and I would NEVER do anything to ruin their business. I always wanted to work for them ever since I was a child. I'm 26 now and I'm a HUGE bus NYCT bus fan.
I live in rural Canada and have been a railroad photographer hobbyist for over 30 years.
I would be the first to report suspicious"terrorist" like activity to authorities if I were to see it while trackside.
Authorities should welcome extra sets of eyes trackside. A sort of "neighbourhood Watch" only for the railroads.
we are not the enemy but the citizens of the united states of america. these systems are paid for by our tax dollars. you have no right to dictate to us on how we wish to document and preserve the very system we have and will always pay for. you work for us and not the other way around. just shut up and run the system we are paying you to do. this is america and we can and will walk the streets and with our camaras and will take pictures of equipment and systems we paid for.
Our rights did not disappear on 9/11. Why do you want to take them away now? Those towers stood for freedom, what do they stand for now? A police state? Our rights are worth more than our safety, that is why we fight for them.
Railfans and rail photography have actually HELPED catch persons committing acts such as theft and damage to RR property. Most Rr in the south appreciate the railfans.
I live in Ontario, Canada and photograph the CPR and CN railways that travel through my hometown. I'm not doing anything illegal, I am doing what I love to do. Best of luck with this petition, I will pass it around to my friends.
all this terroist stuff is crap let the railfans have what they want. Someboby can go anywere and see trains go by with out taking a picture. if the people can get on them then they should be able to take pictures of them
Banning photography on the subway simply creates a sense of false security that will do nothing to prevent a future terrorist attack. If a terrorist really wants to commit an act of atrocity on the subway, he or she will find a legal way to get what they want or will do so illegally until they are caught. A terrorist may also be using photographic devices that are harder to notice, such as a cell phone camera. Banning photography outright will not guarentee that a terrorist will be unable to plan an attack, but allowing transit fans to photograph will add an extra layer of security, for we can notice suspicious activity and use our photographs as evidence.
I Have been a railfan since the mid 1950's, and enjoy taking photo's of trains. I also served 3 yrs in the U.S.Army. I dont think we should
be arrested or harassed for just
enjoying our hobby.
I love the New York City subway and other railroads too. It is unfair that just because there is a small chance of there being a terrorist attack we have to take away what we love. LONG LIVE RAILROADS AND SUBWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am a fellow transit photographer and I too, am offended by this photography ban proposal. It takes away our constitutional rights and I believe it is absolutely ludacrous. I believe most terrorists would already know what a train or bus looks like, why would they need a picture to study one in order to conduct a terror attack. In addition, why ban transit photography yet people are still wildly allowed to take pictures of national landmarks that pose a greater threat for a terror attack? National Landmarks were attacked during 9/11, but not transit structures. Yet the authorities go ballistic whenever they spot someone photographing transit infrastructures and they do not care when especially foreigners are taking pictures of national landmarks. I take my place in this petition and I strongly urge everyone to support it also.
I work as a professinal Locomotive Engineer for CN in Chicago and think this kind of thing, banning rail photography is completely misguided and to be blunt STUPID. There hundreds of railfans trackside who CAN AND WILL be the eyes and ears of the police if you clowns will just let them. I also photograph trains for a hobby and have NO intention of not doing so just because of some misguided parenoia.
This crap is just like the moronic gunlaws, only the criminals will have the guns. So, now, you want to make it the criminals have the camera's and not the citizens of our country. Normal political bullshit and stupidity, normal and as usual.
William G. Mundy
As a military veteren, I am deeply offended that our military is fighting right now to defend rights such as this that you are "attempting" to take away.
The total loss of individual freedom is the police state, we are heading that way rapidly. Look at Israel, the most controlled country in the free world today and yet they are unable to prevent terrisom
I'm 60 years old. I've been a railfan for at least 56-57 of those years. Photography is the means I use to chronicle the items and places of interest to me. I have no more intention to "give up" my Constitutionally guaranteed right of assembly in public places than the New York Times or Washington Post would give up their right to comment about my hobby.
This can be done the easy way in a spirit of cooperation and mutual assistance.
Or it can be done the hard way, in a court room with the respective agency explaining to a jury why they feel the Constitution doesn't apply to them.
A simple choice.
Choose wisely.
It will cost you MUCH less in the end.
Don't alienate the transit fans. Remember, WE are the first line of defense because of our knowledge of your system, and often WE can spot something out of the ordinary and report it to the proper authorities better and faster than the average passenger.
The statement is as accurate as can be. What's occuring within our own country as far as the errosion of civil rights is becoming more frightening every day.
As usual, we (government) worry far more about mundane behavior instead of legitimate dangers. Leave railfans the hell alone & focus on real threats to our country.
I totally agree with the statement, all i am trying to do is have fun, nothing more, nothing less, other photographers, please sign this so we won't be terrorized by the government
