Stopped by police....ended positively

We've been hearing about negative encounters w/ police. Thought I'd break the streak. I headed to the local park next to Wright Patterson AFB today in hopes of catching the C-5. Unfortunately, I didn't catch anything. Didn't they know I was there. But, anywho, local police showed up. I was ready for the interrogation to begin. He asked what I was doing. I told him and he founf it rather interesting. He asked to see what I had so far. Nothing from WPAFB, but had a couple of shots from Dayton International and some of the family. He said his brother-in-law was finslly getting married and asked for my card. Luckily, I had a couple left from soccer in my camera bag. Hopefully, I will hear from them.

I'd expect the police to show up if you were taking pictures of an AFB, or an airport, or any federal building.

At least you didn't get an a$$hat of a cop. It's a mixed bag around here, sometimes I get cool cops, sometimes I get jerks with obvious inadequacy issues.

Mayeb its a good rule to leave some safe, all-american photos on your CF card, just in case they wanna see your pics.

Nothing says non-threatening, red-blooded than pics of a model draped over a musclecar/chopper.

asysin2leads wrote in post #5395397
We've been hearing about negative encounters w/ police. Thought I'd break the streak. I headed to the local park next to Wright Patterson AFB today in hopes of catching the C-5. Unfortunately, I didn't catch anything. Didn't they know I was there. But, anywho, local police showed up. I was ready for the interrogation to begin. He asked what I was doing. I told him and he founf it rather interesting. He asked to see what I had so far. Nothing from WPAFB, but had a couple of shots from Dayton International and some of the family. He said his brother-in-law was finslly getting married and asked for my card. Luckily, I had a couple left from soccer in my camera bag. Hopefully, I will hear from them.

Refreshing to hear every now and then, I hope it works out great!
Hey this just reminded me but I was watching "Ghost Hunters" recently and the TAPS team investigated WPAFB and the old house its built around, and they found it to be very haunted, especially the house. It was a very cool episode. Ha that is all. Sorry for the rant.

bakerbranded wrote in post #5397603
Refreshing to hear every now and then, I hope it works out great!
Hey this just reminded me but I was watching "Ghost Hunters" recently and the TAPS team investigated WPAFB and the old house its built around, and they found it to be very haunted, especially the house. It was a very cool episode. Ha that is all. Sorry for the rant.

That's the Hap Arnold house. I've seen it a few times. WPAFB is a beautiful base. They have some beautiful old homes there. One of the largest in the Air Force. Huffman Prairie is adjacent to the runways. That's where the Wright Brothers invented aviation. On a side note, if anyone gets to the Dayton, OH area, take the Wright Brothers tour. It's neat.

nw85887 wrote in post #5397245
I'd expect the police to show up if you were taking pictures of an AFB, or an airport, or any federal building.

At least you didn't get an a$$hat of a cop. It's a mixed bag around here, sometimes I get cool cops, sometimes I get jerks with obvious inadequacy issues.

Mayeb its a good rule to leave some safe, all-american photos on your CF card, just in case they wanna see your pics.

Nothing says non-threatening, red-blooded than pics of a model draped over a musclecar/chopper.

I was stopped in Long Beach Harbor a few years ago. After standing with my hands on the hood of a police car for 2 hours, and telling 5 different officers what I was doing, and what I had done that day, they let me go.

The next day a couple of detectives showed up at my house while I was at work. They asked to see some of my pictures, and when my wife directed them to a folder with a picture of an American flag, and a few of some toothbrushes I took for a dental company, they realized that I was not a threat and the left.

login wrote in post #5398275
that sentence doesn't seem right... he was all positive then made you give him your CF card, and you gave him one from the soccer

I'd guess he meant business card.

"or an airport, or any federal building."

That's the problem. That you expect it.

glad to hear it ended well

asysin2leads wrote in post #5395397
He said his brother-in-law was finslly getting married and asked for my card. Luckily, I had a couple left from soccer in my camera bag. Hopefully, I will hear from them.

I think the cop really used his head. He might have made up the brother in-law story to see if you had a business card to corroborate your story. On the other hand, you might get a call to shoot a wedding. At least you didn't get tasered. That might corrupt your cf card.

xa-coupe wrote in post #5398299
I'd guess he meant business card.

Yes he did. Sorry for the confusion. I didn't think of it that way.

T2000 wrote in post #5399037
"or an airport, or any federal building."

I was actually on public property and was aiming away from the military base.

ironchef31 wrote in post #5399207
I think the cop really used his head. He might have made up the brother in-law story to see if you had a business card to corroborate your story. On the other hand, you might get a call to shoot a wedding. At least you didn't get tasered. That might corrupt your cf card.

Good point. I didn't think of that. Pretty smart.

I've been tasered, twice. Both times voluntary. I did it as part of a demo for the PD and life squad I ran with. The second time I was in the middle of a 4-person chain and they got us. Yes, it hurts, but not for long. In case any of you were wondering.

ryant35 wrote in post #5398224
I was stopped in Long Beach Harbor a few years ago. After standing with my hands on the hood of a police car for 2 hours, and telling 5 different officers what I was doing, and what I had done that day, they let me go.

The next day a couple of detectives showed up at my house while I was at work. They asked to see some of my pictures, and when my wife directed them to a folder with a picture of an American flag, and a few of some toothbrushes I took for a dental company, they realized that I was not a threat and the left.

I have about a 60 second tolerance for this type of harassment, Either they have a probably cause, or they get to meet my attorney, something they would rather not do. The last time I was stopped in a DWI checkpoint as soon as the officer approached I asked them "What the h*** is your probably cause for stopping me?" The department loss a very large civil suit over the way this checkpoint was run, and No I was not part of it, as I was told to drive carefully.

Wayne

Wayne

Kevin, you met a smart cop that was doing his job, Wayne, you were lucky not to be delayed for a field sobriety check.

Kevin, in a round about way I think you got owned by that cop.

PeteJaffa wrote in post #5400512
Kevin, in a round about way I think you got owned by that cop.

I guess that's better than getting detained by a cop.

Just be glad that we have people checking up on these sort of "suspicious activities". It may be "bothering" you, but it's better for someone to ask questions on what you are doing, than nothing being done, especially in our day of age. I always welcome police encounters with open arms because they are doing their jobs and 95% of the time, their deposition goes from questionable to funny comments in 10 seconds once you identify yourself and your actions.

And trust me, get on their good side and they'll tell you things that would interest you. I had cops help me out by pointing out where other photographers have gone to take pictures from, giving me clear vantage points at events that otherwise I might have missed out on due to inexperience. For public security, most of the time they are covered by the same cops and you get to meet them over and over again, building good relations and reputation.