What’s Your Preference?

amt510 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 01:06 AM

For whatever reason, active railroad tracks, yards and bridges have been favorite locations professional photographers use to pose their models and clients. I wish I had a dollar for every picture I’ve seen of a smiling bride and groom or cherub faced child posing between a set of shiny rails mugging for the camera. These photographers don’t seem to know or care that their actions can subject them to a variety of negative legal consequences. Trespassing on railroad property is a criminal (misdemeanor or felony) and civil litigation is a real possibility if their client or employee is injured while trespassing. You can image the seriousness of a bride in five inch heels taking a spill while trying to get off the tracks in an attempt to escape an approaching train.

The practice of illegally using railroad property as a location for photo shoots has got to end. Unless expressed written permission has been obtained by a photographer from the railroad owning the property they have no business using it. This has noting to do with suppressing First Amendment rights, homeland security issues or stifling creative expression. Railroad property is private and you can’t be there unless the owner wants you there. I don’t imagine too many photographers would set up a photo shoot in somebody’s front yard without asking permission from the homeowner first.

Ignorance of the law is not a defense in criminal court and matters not in civil court. Under certain circumstances, photographers can be held criminally accountable for posting images depicting acts of trespassing on their websites. You don’t have to take my word for it, research trespassing laws for yourself. Be informed.

Hundreds of people are killed each year in the United States while trespassing on railroad property. Don’t contribute to those numbers by committing and promoting the dangerous act of trespassing on railroad property.

I will be happy to field any legitimate questions in regard to this plea.

Sgt. Jon Waide (Ret.)
Region VII Law Enforcement Liaison Officer
Federal Railroad Administration

WVCoalMiner · #2 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 01:10 AM

Yeah OK. So is speeding but I do that daily also. LOL

PowerPix · #3 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 01:23 AM

Welcome to DPS!!!! You will learn many wonderful things here -- one of them, the fabulosity of train tracks!!! . Do you own a camera Sgt.???

BEGM83 · #4 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 01:27 AM

Another reason it's great to be British.

Our trains are never on the tracks and the big bosses are too busy having cups of tea to care about such trivial matters as the law and safety and shizzle like that

Oh to be Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton eh! Wonder what sarge would say about them if they did that now......

Oooh can someone explain to me why he's said he's a sergeant when he's not...he's retired....is this commonplace to do this kind of thing in the states because i dont know a single police officer here who'd say "PC Plod (ret.)" or "Sgt Bloggs (ret.)" other than some dude on the telly who sells awnings....

PowerPix · #5 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BEGM83

Oooh can someone explain to me why he's said he's a sergeant when he's not...he's retired....is this commonplace to do this kind of thing in the states because i dont know a single police officer here who'd say "PC Plod (ret.)" or "Sgt Bloggs (ret.)" other than some dude on the telly who sells awnings....

Maybe he'll explain for us????

BEGM83 · #6 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 01:41 AM

Oooh i wonder if he's ALLOWED to tell us...or if you have to be, y'know, in the gang n'all.

PowerPix · #7 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 01:41 AM

Did we scare him off?????

Come back!!!!!! *echoing into the distance.......*

PowerPix · #8 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by begm83

oooh i wonder if he's allowed to tell us...or if you have to be, y'know, in the gang n'all.

rotfl!!!!!!!

BEGM83 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-28-2009, 01:43 AM

Pix i think we're enough to scare anyone off! Even hardened Region VII law enforcement liaison officers (whatever one of those is! reckon he gets to carry a shiny gun and a shiny badge?)