I was standing on a sidewalk on Miracle Mile Thursday night carrying my Canon 5D with a 50 mm f/1.8 lens, a combination that works excellent in low light situations.
The officer was across the street standing on one of those motor scooters that police have nowadays that enable them to walk their beat without actually walking their beat.
As the officer was zipping across the street on the scooter, I took a few shots as I think it is hilarious that police have resorted to a child’s toy for law enforcement efficiency.
“Do you have a permit to take photos?” he asked as he reached the sidewalk I was standing on.
“I don’t need a permit to take photos,” I responded, thinking this guy is either messing with my mind or extremely ignorant.
“Are you sure about that?”"
“Yes”.
“100 percent sure?”
“150 percent sure.”
He proceeds to tell me that there is a city ordinance that prohibits photography in public without a permit. This being Coral Gables, one of the most permit-heavy municipalities in Miami-Dade County, I can see where maybe someone might believe that to be the case.
“Last time I checked, the First Amendment overrides all city ordinances,” I tell him.
The officer is looking very serious. Not angry or exasperated the way some officers get when you don’t treat their words as gospel. For a second, I thought I saw a hint of a smile, but I wasn’t sure.
“Are you fucking with me?” I ask.
“No, I’m serious, you need a permit. It is a city ordinance.”
“Please tell me which city ordinance I am violating?”
“I don’t remember right now.”
Then he busts out laughing. And I take his photo. And he admits he was only kidding.
“I just like to talk to people,” he says.
Officer Rios turned out to be a really cool guy. We spent a few minutes talking about photography, police work and traveling before a South Florida rain shower sent us running (or scooting) for shelter.
He spent seven years working for NYPD before moving to Miami and becoming a Coral Gables officer less than three years ago. I’ve had good experiences with NYPD and have known them to have a good sense of humor, something that most Miami cops lack.
A permit to take photographs in Coral Gables. Fucking hilarious.
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8 responses so far ↓
1 enhager // May 25, 2007 at 5:40 PM
I was worried there for a second.
2 Running Ragged // May 29, 2007 at 2:08 PM
I was relieved to read that it turned out the way it did…I was worried as well.
3 diana // Nov 19, 2007 at 8:35 PM
I think that Officer is really cool. I wish they were more like him. He has a great sence of humor. He also has a great smile.
4 ANONYMOUS // Apr 1, 2009 at 5:53 PM
As a gables resident I can tell you that they do require a permit for taking pictures, but it’s for taking pictures of someone or something that the person is getting paid for, in other words being hired to do, yes it is true, you can look it up, you need a permit here for everything.
5 Gene Hilton // May 18, 2009 at 8:28 AM
Ha, great story, really had me going to begin with…that shot looks like the Starbucks on the corner of MMile, no? I used to hang out there with my laptop all the time when I had to commute with AAirlines (RDU/MIA). -peace
6 rexx sect // May 18, 2009 at 10:57 AM
The Segway which the officer was riding on is far from a “Child’s Toy”, you seem educated, are you really not familiar with this mode of transportation?
7 Guy Bertram // May 31, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Great story AND picture!
8 Bradley Jardis // Apr 23, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Carlos,
Thank you for taking the time to post positive police interaction… it shows that you are well balanced and fair.
Sadly, most police interaction is negative. This officer, though, does deserve the props for being a decent fellow.
Respectfully,
Brad
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