By Carlos Miller
I really need to stress that if people are going to shoot video for Youtube, for fucks sake, please hold the camera steady. Please point the camera at your subject. And please learn to edit the damn video if you haven’t done any of that.
That being said, the above video is revealing as it is, even if it jarring and frustrating to watch.
A man named Andrew who calls himself an “elevator photographer” gets chased out of the Campbell Court Building in Roanoke, Virginia by a janitor because he was, well, taking photos of an elevator.
Rather than swing the video camera everywhere and at nothing, he should have pointed the camera directly into the janitor’s face while he was being threatened and ordered to leave the building. It just makes for a much better video.
The photographer then steps out of the sidewalk and calls the cops but the janitor apparently has also called the cops, so the cops pull up and naturally harass the photographer.
For a few seconds, Andrew actually points the camera at the cop, but the cop orders him to shut the video camera down.
Thankfully, he at least keeps the camera running even if he doesn’t point it at the cop’s face.
Now I people might disagree with me, but I would have continued filming the cop even after he ordered me not to. I would have informed him I’m doing it to protect myself.
I might end up getting arrested but cops eventually have to learn that photography is not a crime. And they have to learn that it is an unlawful order to order someone to stop filming or taking pictures of them.
So we are treated to a black screen for several minutes while we hear Andrew explaining himself in the background. He does do a good job of asserting his rights to the officer, informing the officer that he is well aware of his right to take pictures.
But the cop tells Andrew that he shouldn’t be surprised that people get upset at him for taking their picture because for all they know, he might “put their face on a naked body or something.” No, I’m not kidding. He actually said that. What a dumb ass.
The cops eventually give him a “trespass bar letter,” which apparently means he is no longer allowed in the courthouse. After all, the letter says, photographing an elevator is “suspicious activity.”
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Fernandez, as I mentioned in a 
15 responses so far ↓
1 genewitch // Jan 8, 2010 at 2:48 AM
I doubt that anyone under the duress of possibly getting arrested can maintain a Federico Fellini-like steady hand and framing capabilities.
Also, i bet aiming the camera at a cop will get you tased. Cause it could be a weapon (it is a weapon, but not one of imminent danger.)
an interesting note… does this mean he can’t be tried in that courthouse? I’d get a parking ticket or some minor traffic violation and then say my rights to due process had been hindered by the police department because of the bar.
2 KBCraig // Jan 8, 2010 at 9:27 AM
The video is restricted as private, for friends only.
3 Eric // Jan 8, 2010 at 9:31 AM
The video is “private”….
4 Carlos Miller // Jan 8, 2010 at 11:09 AM
Well it wasn’t private last night. I just should just delete this story altogether because obviously the elevator photographer has concerns about sharing his experience.
5 Robbie // Jan 8, 2010 at 12:03 PM
I believe in freedom for photographers-but this was just ignorant. How hard would it have been for him to let them know what he was doing. With this day and age our society is violent in so many ways. How would they have know he did not have a gun/bomb or weapon-Geez, I believe in freedom, but ignorance just kills me!! Kudos to the Police Officer and Janitor for protecting our interests!!
6 mepsipax // Jan 8, 2010 at 12:45 PM
Protecting our interests. You are naive. He doesn’t have to inform them of shit. Public building… Also, we are not required to spell out our every action just because a cop or anybody else asks.
If they find no evidence (you don’t have to help them find it) then they can’t do shit. That doesn’t stop them from tasering you/harassing you/lying to you. And a gun looks a lot different from a camera, especially in plain daylight. That bullshit is old hat.
7 Robbie // Jan 8, 2010 at 1:07 PM
Nope, not naieve. Just American and for one people like you with your mentality are the reason why we r getting bombed and everything else. For sure, we are not required to inform them of our ctions-do u think perhaps we should do with out a Police Force? Tell me who would you call if you did not have 911? It does not matter if it were a camera or a gun-It was a public place, yes-but wheres the common sense in asking-Also, they may taser people, its alot better than shooting them. As far as harassing, it goes both ways!! Also, when a Police Officer is killed in action by a Thug-whats the excuse then-he/she deserved it because they were doing their job? This s silly, I am sorry u or anyone else thinks I am naieve-I am not- I am proud to be an American and I am proud of the Police Department, DEA, FBI, USSS, ATF, Firefighters-so many loose their lives to ignorant people!! Look at 9/11-Get over yourself!!
8 Carlos Miller // Jan 8, 2010 at 1:12 PM
Robbie,
The problem is people like yourself who compare photographers to terrorists.
9 Robbie // Jan 8, 2010 at 2:25 PM
At what point did I say terrorist or terrorism or compare him to a terrorist? The comment of 911 was referenced to the loss of life not a photographer with no common sense.I think he was an ediot for not letting them know what he was doing. Yes its a public place, but its also a courthouse..common sense is a virtue..I have no quarries with a photographer, just the ignorance
10 genewitch // Jan 8, 2010 at 2:46 PM
I call Poe on robbie. Either that, or he’s the explicit average american… and that’s okay, i guess. They have the right to voice their opinion just like everyone else. Even if they can’t actually do it.
/snark
11 Robbie // Jan 8, 2010 at 3:03 PM
Ya know what-I am a woman for your information-plus-I do have the right to voice my opinion!!!As they say “Hear me Roar!!”
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and consciencious stupidity.”
MLK
/nescient
12 mepsipax // Jan 8, 2010 at 4:23 PM
No, you did not call me a terrorist but you insinuated that I am un-American. To which I say, fuck you. I spent years in the military and I am concerned with people’s rights. And when people are willing to give up their rights for stupid reasons it hits a nerve. And you try to say that people like me is the reason we are getting bombed. How ignorant.
And when did I say we didn’t need a police force? However, I don’t think we need to call 9/11 for every little thing. Or drop 9-11 anytime I need to win an argument.
Also, TASERs are not necessary every time they are used and justifying that it is better than a bullet is circular logic. I could continue to unravel your arguments all day but… what would be the point really. You go on respecting the DEA, FBI, and whoever you want. Just don’t expect everyone else to do so just because they are the authority.
Oh I am sorry, does that make me un-American?
“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and consciencious stupidity.”
13 Aaron // Jan 8, 2010 at 10:11 PM
For what it’s worth, Campbell Court in downtown Roanoke is not a courthouse; it’s a small area adjacent to Campbell Avenue. “Court” in this context is being used for one of its other meanings.
14 Catinthewall // Jan 8, 2010 at 10:58 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYs652GpOLk
Seems like it’s slightly longer, and has commentary added.
15 Andrew // Jan 28, 2010 at 5:03 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYs652GpOLk here is the good link, same video, just edited some of my personal info out at the end.., i saw for a split second my address was visible in the first one. anyway, the trespass order was voided as of yesterday
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