Saturday, October 24, 2009

S.F. guard threatens to break photographer’s face and camera


Security guards at 555 California Street make up their own photography laws (Photo by Troy Holden)
Security guards at 555 California Street make up their own photography laws (Photo by Troy Holden)


By Carlos Miller

It seems like the taller the building, the more dickish the security guards.

At least in California where security guards from Los Angeles to San Francisco have made up their own laws regarding photography in public places

Earlier this year, it was security guards at the U.S. Bank in Los Angeles, which is the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.

This week, it was security guards at 555 California Street, the second tallest building in San Francisco.

After hearing the usual story of security guard harassment and intimidation from a photographer name JohnM.brasia, photographer Troy Holden and another photographer decided to check it out for themselves.

Within a few moments several security guards greeted us with wagging fingers and walkie-talkies.

No photography, they stated clearly. Why, we responded. Safety, they said.

I decided to challenge this statement and the older of the bunch (left) asked me if I wanted to be punched in the face. No, I replied, I have to go back to work and a black eye would make things awkward for me. He then asked me how I would feel if he broke my camera. I told him I would be bummed, but that I needed an upgrade and if he touched me or my camera I would seek monetary legal action to the extent of a brand new Canon 5D Mark II

The man on the left threatened to break the photographer's face and camera (Photo by Troy Holden)
The man on the left threatened to break the photographer's face and camera (Photo by Troy Holden)

Holden then sent an email to someone at the top, complaining of the incident. He received the following response from Fatima Vegas who works on the security team for Voranado Reality, the company that manages the property:

“Thank you for your e-mail. I just received information from the incident within the past hour. I am investigating the matter. This is not typical of our security team at 555 California St. If our investigation results in the officer behaving in an unprofessional manner, he will be disciplined accordingly. We do not tolerate that sort of behavior from any of our service providers.”

He should be fired and maybe even investigated by police. Hopefully Troy keeps up with this incident, ensuring the guard no longer is able to make physical threats.

Source: Photography is Not A Crime

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