Pervert...

[Sime]

I'm just sharing my weekend and a vaguely related to "stuff" story.

So, the other day I commented quite strongly about someone, in public, photographing a crime and the police slapping the camera out of his hands... I said that anyone has the right to photograph (Obviously within certain limits) whatever / in public from a press point of view, and, to some extent personally as well... Well, I want to share something that made my blood boil... (someone that shouldn't have been shooting anything!)

Was in Paris on the weekend with the "better half" and we were on our way back into town after a train trip out to Monet's garden (Very pretty) It's a 45 minute train trip back into Paris and we'd boarded and were settling in to our seat. I'd noticed an "odd" looking man looking around at people and, as the people across the aisle from us sat down, a mother and two sweet little twin sisters (no more than say, three years old) he locked on. Staring at one of the girls, waving, trying to get her attention. M immediately said to me something along the lines of "that guy's weird" I kep a firm eye on him... Then out comes the video camera (I know this is a stills forum, but I wanted to share) and he starts looking like he's filming out the window, occassionally swinging it over to where the little girl was seated... A woman came along to take the seat beside him - He told her to go away (In French) then a man came along and the guy told him to go away - the man sat down instead. The weird guy got up and stormed out of the carriage... Journey over, we're pulling into the station and we step off the train, sure enough - weird guy is there waiting for the young family. I've had my fill... I walk between him and them - staring at the guy... There were enough French police around to start a small war so I wasn't that concerned... He followed them trying to get more video, the guy made me sick... Made me want to run up to him and "have words'

SO - I am all for people photographing kids - innocently - but sometimes you "just know" when there is something wrong...

I didn't do anything but I did make sure that she left (M mentioned to her that he was watching the kids and she was aware of him) the train station and that he was still in the train station. He was immediately videoing another woman... I had to leave for fear of being thrown in a French cell for the night

We need to make sure that we're discerning enough to be able to make a call between innocent people photographing kids in a play ground and weirdos like this.

All in all, a nice day out in Paris...

Sime

[Jim Bryant]

Weird that the mother didn't slap the crap out of him!

[private]

She might not have been able to communicate with him,. She may not speak the language, BUT all of that being said there is the universal "get your eyes off of my kids tone" I probably would have taken a photo of the "intruder" and let him know that I had his picture - that is, if I had my camera. Some people really are horrid. I am glad you were there Sime, who knows what he would have done if you were not.

[Sime]

They were both French and I have a photo :-) (I forgot that bit)

The police need to take a look at his computer and see what he's been viewing

[candleman]

HMM... yup, there are sick sick people out there.

it least you knew that she knew.. if you know what i mean.
sounds like you did well.

[SusanH1970]

Yikes.....gives me the willies!!!!

[Gulpa]

Originally Posted by Sime™

They were both French and I have a photo :-) (I forgot that bit)

I hope you forward it to the authorities in some way.

[crazzy88ss]

As a general rule, I just would stay away form photographing kids in public. I don't want to deal w/ some insane mother + unknowledgeable/power-tripped police officer...

But this is completely different :/

[cdgaskin]

if that was my good lady that happened to (While i wasnt there) she'd have shouted at the loudest she could: why are you videoing my kids!!. these people hate being found out. well done for spotting him.