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MTA Employee Charged with "Unlawful Photography"
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 16, 2009
Modified May 27, 2011
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By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 16, 2009
Modified May 27, 2011
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Many a straphanger has taken heat for pulling out their point and shoot cameras in the subway system, but now an off-duty MTA worker has been arrested by the NYPD's transit cops for photographing the underground. Carlos Miller reports on the charges made against 30-year-old Robert Taylor, who has been with the MTA for three years and actually cited section 1050.9 (c) of the Rules of Conduct to the arresting officers, which state that photography is allowed under certain conditions, all of which he met.
Still, he was handcuffed and locked in a holding cell for photographing an incoming train at the Freeman Street station in the Bronx. He posted his story on SubChat, where he wrote that an officer "yelled to me just as I was getting on the train to leave....he asked for ID, I showed him and he proceeds to tell me I'm not supposed to be taking pics...I told him that's not true...on the Transit Authority's rules of conduct it says we are, the sergeant tells me their rules and TA's rules are different....I told him, if you feel I'm in the wrong, give me a summons and I'll see everyone in court."
Turns out he was charged with three things: unauthorized photography, unreasonable voice/disorderly conduct and impeding traffic. We contacted the NYPD to get their rules for photographing in the subway system, but have yet to hear back.
Tagged
arrest
MTA
nypd
photographer's rights
photography
rules of conduct
subway
transit authority
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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