Questioned by the FBI and Local Police

[david b]

Today, I went out with the 6x9 to make some photos around downtown Albuquerque. It is really nice out here and a great day to make some photos. I shot a roll while walking around and then got in my car to leave. On my way back home, I swung by to Albuquerque Bus Station to remake a photo I did before, but this time with a film camera, instead of the digital p&s. (the photo can be seen here)

No sooner do I get back into the car, two men and a woman approach me, flashing their badges. One guy and the woman are from the FBI and the other guy was an APD detective. They wanted my ID and to know what I was doing. The male FBI agent politely explained that since 9/11 they are watching who is photographing public transportation buildings. Since I was standing in the middle of the public street with a rather large camera, I was easily seen. He also made a comment about me doing half the work (photographing) for possible terrorists.

I told them I was a local photographer who is doing a project on Albuquerque, the place in which I live. None of them quite got it. I offered my camera to them so they can see what I was doing. The female agent acccepted, took my camera and she too stood in the middle of the street to see what I saw. She kind of got it, but not really. I also asked if I could take their portraits, they all declined.

Then they asked why I was still shooting film since every one else has gone digital. Without getting into it too much, I explained that I like film and have a home darkroom. They seemed to get it.

Before they walked away, we all exchanged business cards and full names. That was appreciated. They also told me that if I ever see anything "suspicious" while out making photographs, that I should take a photo of it, and then call them immediately. Fair enough.

All in all, it seems like a harmless encounter but it can sure rattle the nerves. I packed up my stuff and went for lunch. I'll develop the film tonight to see if all of this was actually worth the photo.

[thebanana]

3 well paid professionals at one bus station, looking for "anything suspicious". Your tax $$ hard at work

[Dinesh]

Originally Posted by thebanana

3 well paid professionals at one bus station, looking for "anything suspicious". Your tax $$ hard at work

1 well paid professional provincial employee, surfing APUG. My tax $$ hard at work

[AgX]

I've repeatedly been interrogated just for standing somewhere.
Without having a camera with me.

Sometimes their arguments are annoying, sometimes I can accept them with some effort.
My ID will be milled through their computersystem, they'll make a report in their log.
That's life...

[Sean]

What I find frightening is at which point does it go to the next level and is such a move imminent? Right now it is questioning on location but a few yrs from now will it be taking you away in cuffs for questioning, observation, confiscation of your equipment, etc. David are you now on "The List"? I watched this the other day which is one of those highly alarmist pieces, however it makes you think if just 1% of this is true.. yikes... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0LvtQAQ6sc

[david b]

I have no idea if I am on the list, but I did a little research and came across this rather bothersome encounter that happened a few blocks from where I was questioned today.

[MikeSeb]

David, not sure what to say. Sounds like the officer/agents handled themselves politely and professionally, probably because you did the same.

It seems that some people--not talking about you here--want it both ways. Like it or not, the reality after 9/11 is different. There are people out there whose stated aim is to kill as many of us as they can. This is incontrovertible fact. Some of the people--again, not referring to you, David--bitching the loudest about being "hassled" by the authorities will be the same ones fault-finding and finger-pointing when some US city goes up in a pillar of fire.

I have been accosted by police in similar situations; they are being vigilant, and in no case have I been treated with anything but courtesy, after extending the same to the officers. Photography on a tripod, of a more deliberate and slow nature than the average digicam snapshooter, is not an activity familiar to all these days, after all.

I phoned the local water-supply authorities for permission to photograph a few of their buildings, which are architecturally quite beautiful. I was denied entry, because in the post-9/11 world, water purification plants are considered strategic assets and points of vulnerability. Makes sense if I'd only thought about it–-a malefactor could do tremendous damage with the right chemical or biological agent introduced into the water supply. Nevertheless, I was welcomed to photograph the buildings' exterior, and asked to give them some notice so they could let the security people know I'd be around. Don't see much wrong with this level of watchfulness.

[GGardner]

Originally Posted by david b

Then they asked why I was still shooting film since every one else has gone digital.

"Terrorists use digital cameras".

[waileong]

There is no problem as long as these guys are polite and do their jobs within the law. If however they start seizing cameras or arresting photographers without reasonable cause, I hope they get sued out of their pants.

[David Brown]

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess (an "educated" guess - I work at a federal law enforcement agency) that there was something else going on. FBI agents don't just hang around bus stations. This doesn't explain why you were talked to, but this was likely not a normal day for them, either.