Reply #148: I don't think you are right

[AbbyR]

"Think of it like this. If I am having some kind of a problem and I call the police, I expect privacy. I don’t expect 10 people to be able to listen in to my conversation with the police just because they think they have the right to by the Constitution. So while I am talking to the police about my daughter’s rape, or my wife’s problems or anything else, you better believe I’d side with the cop who told somebody to leave the area.

My personal problems, albeit as a victim or a criminal, are not meant to be public domain. Why should you, just because you are a photojournalist, be allowed to overhear my private conversations with the police? And how would or should a cop try and determine what you can and cannot here? Therefore you were asked to leave, asked to go across the street. When you disobey that lawful order, expect to be charged."

I work for a newspaper, and not only can I take pictures where I please, as long as I stay out of the way, it is my right (and yours) to do so. As for calling the police on a private matter - nope, that's public, too. The police will write a report of your private matter, and the name of the person who reported it will be on the report. I pick up the police reports once a week, and if someone reports a crime, I am perfectly within my rights to report it. I don't always do it, but I can.

For example, if you call and say your wife slugged you and you need an officers, your name goes on the report and I can say Mrs. Bushies gotta go called officers to her home at 123 First Street, stating that her husband, Mr. Bushies gotta go, hit her, causing injury...etcetc.

I CAN, and often do, withhold names or amounts of money taken, but it is always a favor and not a requirement.

As for photographs, if you are on public property and I am, too, you are fair game if I am not physically in your space and preventing you from doing your work.