a year ago or so I was booted from a mall after getting caught shooting signage. I very seldom shoot 'street', I was shooting signs for the colored letters for an assignment in my photography class. I read the rules of the mall as I entered and there was no mention of photography, I was there before the shops openend so I could get the shots I wanted without alot of people in the way, and I was very nearly done in less than ten minutes time.
But.... I was stopped by a security guard with a chip on his soldier. Not only did I get told to stop, wich I did, but I was threatened with physical assault if I refused to leave the premises. I chose to leave, but he chose to escort me out and it was a little more than I thought was necessary. Long story short I made an ass of myself exercising my rights to free speach.
I have read as much as I could and talked to local law enforcement and a few people with more experience with this kind of thing over the past year, and come to a few conclusions you might want to take into consideration.
If you force a mall cop to do more than he is willing to do- call 911, physically detain you, write a report, etc. it's like rolling the dice he will or won't go through with it. If you agree to comply its a sure thing that the worst thing that is going to happen is you walk out intact.
If you confront a cop about a legal issue, you will lose, period. Unfortunately, Contempt of cop is a non law that gets enforced with great vigor sometimes. As much as compliance with a security guard is good policy, compliance with cops is ten times good policy.
I am not saying lay down your rights, I am saying pick your battles wisely. If a security guard wants you to leave, leave. If a cop wants you to leave, leave quickly. If he wants a search, you want a warrant. If he wants to seize property, you want an arrest and witnesses. Same as the security guard, he probably won't be willing to go through with it, it's just way too much trouble unless you really are a criminal and he thinks it will stick. If you are just a guy with a big lens taking pictures of a bridge, he knows it won't stick. But unfortunately, anything but full compliance is still just rolling the dice.
Whatever you do, don't let it throw you. This is fun stuff, keep at it.
