“I Will Break Your F**king Camera”
by Troy on Oct.23, 2009
A couple of days ago, Stuart and I decided to walk through the Financial District for lunch.
I had heard that the security guards at 555 California were unappreciative of photography. I mentioned this to Stuart and we agreed that these types of rules were silly and served no real purpose.
So we decided to check it out and within a few moments several security guards greeted us with wagging fingers and walkie-talkies.
No photography, they stated clearly. Why, we responded. Safety, they said.
I decided to challenge this statement and the older of the bunch (left) asked me if I wanted to be punched in the face. No, I replied, I have to go back to work and a black eye would make things awkward for me. He then asked me how I would feel if he broke my camera. I told him I would be bummed, but that I needed an upgrade and if he touched me or my camera I would seek monetary legal action to the extent of a brand new Canon 5D Mark II.
Shortly after, my internal voice of reason set in and I decided to leave. The conversation was going no where and a definition of “safety” was unable to be produced.
I wonder what the fear is all about? There are currently 1096 images of 555 California on Flickr, and not one of them indicates a compromise of security. It just doesn’t make any sense.
UPDATE: I received an email from Fatima Vegas who works on the security team for Vornado Reality, who manages the property:
“Thank you for your e-mail. I just received information from the incident within the past hour. I am investigating the matter. This is not typical of our security team at 555 California St. If our investigation results in the officer behaving in an unprofessional manner, he will be disciplined accordingly. We do not tolerate that sort of behavior from any of our service providers.”
UPDATE #2: I was put in touch with the ACLU via my friend Thomas Hawk yesterday afternoon. Each one clarified a couple of things about “Private Property” such as the plaza in front of this building:
The plaza where the photography was taking place in was a *public* area on private property. These areas are treated differently than other a citizen’s private property (such as your home). In order to prevent a public easement of the property and losing their private property distinction, property owners will install little plaques denoting the area as giving the public a right to pass under California Civil Code 1009 typically. While this notification preserves their ultimate property right, it also reduces the control that they have over that area.
Specifically, the code states: “After taking any of the actions set forth in paragraph (1), (2), or (3), and during the time such action is effective, the owner shall not prevent any public use which is appropriate under the permission granted pursuant to such paragraphs by physical obstruction, notice, or otherwise.” Restricting photography from the plaza in front of 555 California violates the public use clause in California Civil Code 1009.
In any event, even if this is not a Privately Owned Public Space, nothing in California law makes it a crime for a person to be on non-residential property that is open to the public unless one is interfering with the owner’s business activities, and taking a photo is not.
October 24th, 2009 on 8:36 pm
I would like to suggest that the next time you show up with at least 20 or more people all armed with cameras and see what the rent-a-cops response would be then.
October 25th, 2009 on 12:55 am
I say 500 people and their cameras show up at the same time and have a photographic field day.
October 26th, 2009 on 6:41 am
555 people would be more appropriate
October 25th, 2009 on 2:50 am
If I get this straight, the guard’s aim is to promote public safety
by threatening to punch public photographers in the face.
Lost site of our goals, have we?
October 25th, 2009 on 7:25 am
Nice photo!
October 25th, 2009 on 9:31 am
Those guys are wannabe Jack Bauers, who somehow think that pushing you around and mouthing off somehow has something to do with the War on Bin Laden or something. Fuck ‘em, I say have an army of photographers show up and see how many “cameras get busted.” They’d turn around and run like the chickenshits they are.
October 25th, 2009 on 10:01 am
So let’s do it. Who will take the lead on a photographic flashmob of 555 California?
October 25th, 2009 on 1:07 pm
Pictures have not been allowed at 555 Cal, and most high rise buildings since 9/11. Security guards are instructed to inform anyone taking pictures about the policy. The policy actually comes from building management who are concerned that the photos may be sold for monetary gain and Vornado won’t get their cut of the cash. Vornado may give you lip service about guards misbehaving or what not, but it’s their policy and the guards are simply the messengers. Also, these security guards are more like bellhops and customer service reps. So I find it hard to believe that there were any threats made (why you and now after eight years of this policy being in place)…
October 25th, 2009 on 1:37 pm
it was captured on video as well.
pls read “Update #2″ above to clear up your misunderstood interpretation of what the law is.
February 12th, 2010 on 1:38 pm
Are you retarded? Show me the statute or code that says ANYTHING about not being able to take photos of high-rise buildings, and I’ll gladly shake your hand.
Homeland Security is a farce, and quite frankly, hasn’t changed ANY rules about photography.
October 25th, 2009 on 2:22 pm
I’d take the train from San Jose just to participate in a “camera-in” (aka – a sit-in with cameras)
What ever happened to civility and manners. There’s a major difference between, “I’m sorry, sir, but you can’t take pictures here.” and what was said to you at that visit.
October 25th, 2009 on 6:54 pm
I would like to know if there’s going to be a flash mob too.
October 25th, 2009 on 7:09 pm
A bunch of frustrated wanna-be cops. These guys couldn’t pass the psyche profile for the academy and this is the best they could get, which isn’t much. Sort of behavior I would expect in some developing country where despots like them can get away with murder, but in America?
October 25th, 2009 on 9:22 pm
So where’s the video? Is the audio usable? For a bunch of “power to the people” people, you are sure hating on some poor working slobs. Hell, these guys are probably in the union, the security guys in my Vornado building in NYC are. Oh wait, that union thing could make them thugs – so you could be right.
But you should give them a break because they were helping to get The One elected last year, right? I guess you only like thuggery when it works for you.
October 26th, 2009 on 12:13 am
Here is a handy document that you can hand someone who is trying to stop you from legally talking pictures. http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm
October 26th, 2009 on 3:06 am
Although it wouldn’t have been particularly pleasant for you, it would have been a great opportunity if one of them did throw a punch at you, and your colleague captured the moment with his camera.
The worldwide press would have a field day with the story, that jackass would get himself fired, and you’d be rolling in money right now from the compensation claims and from the cash that the papers paid you for the exclusive story.
October 26th, 2009 on 3:08 am
Just to add to my previous comment.
If these guys weren’t working as security for a big company, they’d be working as bouncers and doormen in some crappy nightclub.
That tells you all you need to know about their mentality.
They’ve watched a few Chuck Norris and Stephen Segall films, and now they think they’re specal forces.
October 26th, 2009 on 3:41 am
What is it with these jumped up idiots, they seem to be the same in the UK and US, get a job as a security guard and think they are god. As I said to a friend of mine who joined the Police, Respect is earned not demanded. I treat people the same way they treat me. If you are polite, I will be polite back.
Perhaps there ought to be a boycott of all media related photo/videography for a week to prove a point. Imagine papers and websites with photos or video’s, the TV news with no video or stills. No celebrities having their ego’s massaged by their pic’s being in the press
October 26th, 2009 on 3:56 am
Great shot BTW on top of all that important info.
October 26th, 2009 on 9:14 am
Great shot indeed and very important to spread such an Issue. In Germany things get worse also day after day. In some areas (Main Trainstations etc.) you can get an harsh reaction from the security guards for taking photos – and showing and Press-ID Cards doesn’t change that in any way. There are some legal actions from press-associations againts some new laws and “property-rights”… hope it doesn’t get worse anymore…
Greetings from Hamburg/Germany
Benjamin
October 26th, 2009 on 10:01 am
Same story over here in UK.
Its bad enough when hired thugs do this, check out what happens in the UK when you try to legally photograph a police officer…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/21/kingsnorth-protester-arrests-video-complaint
please everyone head down to 555 and take loads of photos peacefully & legally, please please please…
they are stamping on your freedom in the name of freedom. don’t let them get away with it. but be peaceful and legal – lets see how much they try to bully when hundreds of cameras are pointed at them
October 26th, 2009 on 10:03 am
ps – that is a nice capture!
October 26th, 2009 on 12:59 pm
Professionalism, control and clear headedness are the best response. Switch your camera video on even if it’s only to record the sound. Ask him to repeat his request. Ask him his authority for making the request. If he threatens physical violence ask to speak to the manager of the building. If he refuses use your phone to call the police and reply the recording to them. Give them the names of any witnesses. Security guards seldom have any authority outside of the building they are securing. They are breaking the law if they issue threats of physical violence to you or your property and commit assault if they so much as lay a finger on you.
October 26th, 2009 on 1:20 pm
I’m feeling a flash mob with photographs. If people can show up at the apple store dressed as zombies I think we can get people to show up with camera.
October 26th, 2009 on 7:11 pm
lets do it. a flash mob flash mob
October 26th, 2009 on 1:27 pm
I was visiting SF for the week and staying across the street from 555 California at The Omni when the Discarted article about Troy and Stuart’s run-in popped up on my RSS reader. Even though it was a Saturday (10/24) and not many people (and probably not as much security) around 555, I went over anyway to the plaza area and spent about 10 minutes there taking shots of 555 and other buildings around Kearney and CA. If I was noticed, no one seemed to have cared enough to approach me, which is how it’s supposed to be. However I did get the stink eye from the guard at 550 when I was shooting that copper/bronze thing hanging over its door.
October 26th, 2009 on 1:53 pm
First, it’s a great shot. The drama is captured perfectly. Well done.
As for the building, I’ve taken untold thousands of photos there myself with no warnings, threats or second glances. I’m usually in the company of my toddler, however, and she’s kind of mean so the guards probably just don’t want to mess with her.
Loving the new site, especially topics like these. Keep it up!
October 26th, 2009 on 8:52 pm
they need to have intelligence tests before they let ppl have any type of authority, even if its being a security guard. Theres nothing worse than a moron who’s in a position of some type of authority. On a side note, I would love to fuck that old man and that punk ass up anytime.
October 27th, 2009 on 7:29 am
The old guy looks like a rapper wannabe. The chinese, looks like is farting and the other one looks like…
ugly motherfucker that didn¡t had sex.
Just remind me how I hate authority.