Freedom To Photograph - The Definitive News Source for Photographers' Freedoms

NY Daily News photographer staff photographer Todd Maisel was stopped by Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority for attempting to take pictures from the bridge.

Here is Todd's account of events.

quote:
I work as staff photographer for the New York Daily News. I was just heading for home towards the end of shift when I got a call from the assignment desk that the Concorde, the supersonic airliner, was on a barge and heading under the Marine Parkway Bridge between Brooklyn and Queens. I had five minutes to get there.

I got to the bridge, pulled my car off to the side of the road and ran up the public walkway on the bridge. I knew the plane was coming because a news helicopter was following it. As I ran up the walkway, a Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority sergeant in a vehicle tried to flag me down. I had second to spare and kept running but veered off the walkway and towards the bottom of the bridge. He pulled his car over and I knew I had trouble coming. I got on the phone with TBTA Public Affairs Deputy Commissioner Frank Pasquale, but he and another cop were all over me and were already trying to stop me. I immediately told them I mean no disrespect, but the photo was about to occur. The bridge has a sign that says "Photography Prohibited," even though there seems to be no law on the books to that effect.

I said I was going onto park property instead, but they were going to stop me from shooting. Pasquale got on the phone and I put him on with the sergeant. As he talked, my photo came up. I started shooting and the other officer decided to try to stop me from getting the picture. I shot anyway, apologizing profusely, dodging him and saying this was my last chance.

The cops gave me permission to shoot in the end, but it was too late. If I hadn't pressed my luck and shot despite their objections, I'd have no photo. How can they possibly have the right to stop people from taking photos in public places, places of public access, and saying this is private property? A bridge private property? That is like saying the city streets are City property and therefore, are privately owned.

I have been obstructed by police two other times just in this past month and it must stop!

Todd Maisel, NY Daily News

This is very disturbing, although we at FtP are aware of new laws in certain places that forbid taking pictures of bridges we however are not aware of any laws about taking pictures from bridges. I hope this doesn't happen again.

Nate MC
Freedom To Photograh

25 Nov 2003 by natemc

4 comments

by Longfist @ 28 Sep 2004 01:38 pm

Does anyone else think that the news helicopter, that will be potentially broadcasting this to the world on television, is more of a threat, than the photographer?

by tunnelman @ 12 May 2005 01:47 am

I'am a NYC Bridge and Tunnel Officer at the Queens Midtown Tunnel. The Bridges and Tunnels as well as entrance and exit (marginals) streets are NOT public property. They are owned and operated by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority (TBTA) and are therefore private property!!! As far as the law goes there are laws, and signs to remind people of such laws, which prevent photos from being taken on TBTA property. You are lucky that this incident occured at a "minor" facility, the Marine Pkwy Bridge. At a larger facility, like the Midtown Tunnel or Verranzano Narrows Bridge, there is a good chance you would have been arrested and your camera and film confiscated, especially if you were dodging around a sergent to get your photos. The notion that we have the time and or psychic ability to determine what you are shooting or planning to shoot before we act is ridiculous. As far as a helicopter being more of a threat that is perhaps true, assuming Al-Quedea was renting helicopters to take photos. Even if this were the case the helicopter was not on TBTA property, nor was it dodging around a sergent to get its pictures.

by BBTBTO2514 @ 17 Nov 2005 09:30 pm

Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority Rules and Regulation governing the use of TBTA facilities, Section 1020 Sub. 8. states, "Any motorist and pedestrian using any facility under the jurisdiction and control of the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, shall obey and comply with the provisions of any posted sign on any of it's facilities." That is the law. So, the next time you see a sign, obey it, and there will be no problems. You are not above the law. If we let you go, then it would only be fair to let the Al Queda operative go as well. Otherwise, we would be profiling.

by Don't tread on me @ 05 Jul 2007 10:47 pm

According to their website, the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, doing business as MTA Bridges and Tunnels, or MTA B&T, is an affiliate agency of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. It is a "public-benefit" corporation chartered by the State of New York, that operates all intrastate toll bridges in New York City. It is true that the toll roads are private property. The rule banning photography is not a law, just a fascist rule. It protects no one from "terrorism". It is enforced by TBTA "Peace Officers" unevenly and with prejudice. Legitimate, law abiding persons are having their civil liberties trampled so simple minded people will believe those in authority are doing something to protect them from the dangers that lurk. George Washington would kick you all in the nuts if he knew how you people have ruined this once great country.

Read about MTA Rules & Regulations here: http://www.mta.info/bandt/regs.pdf

Read about the difference between Police and Peace Officers in NYS by clicking here: http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/ops/index.htm and http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS