Pulled over while roadgeeking

[Bryant5493]

Today, I was down in McDonough (GA), touring the McDonough Square (US 23/SR 20/42/81). I recorded video from all approaches of the square. I then got out and took photos of the traffic light assemblages, which are mast arm assemblies (YAY!). I saw this McDonough police car pass through the square three or four times. When I finished touring the Square, I head SR 20 West/81 West toward I-75. I was putting my camera back on the dashboard when I noticed a McDonough police car behind me. He followed me for about a half mile, until he pulled me over.

I pulled over to the side, trying to figure out why I was being pulled over. I wasn't speeding. I wasn't driving erraticly, so I didn't understand why I was being pulled over. The officer got out of his car and came toward me. I asked him why he had pulled me over. He told me to come back to his patrol car. He then told me I fit a description of a robbery suspect: black male, blue shirt (I had on a blue hoodie) and a white car (I drive a white Dodge Neon). He asked if could pat down. I said, "Yes." He asked if he could search my vehicle. I was on the fence on this, but decided to give consent.

I was a bit nervous while he was talking to me -- I kept putting my hands in my hoodie (a big "no-no," I know). I then put my hands to my side.

The other officer, I guess, trying to make conversation asked me what I was doing with my camera. I told him I take pictures and video of different roads and put it up on YouTube. He then said, "That's it?" I said, "Yes."

So, in short, I was stopped for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.


Be well,

Bryant

[ctsignguy]

While it hasn't happened to me personally, i think Jake has been pulled over a time or two by the local yokels...

in part, they get confused as to why we would want to photograph such things as signs and signals...but in part, because crime is up, coupled with post-9-11 paranoia over unknown strangers taking photos of things

(railfans have encountered the same thing from the railroad cops in recent years...paranoia over harmless picture taking...maybe the rail cops are afraid the bad guys are somehow involved and getting piccys of the rail network to determine what nasty things can be done to us and where...who knows...)

*g* that is why when i go 'sign shopping, i ALWAYS ask for the business card of the guys i deal with....so if i am stopped and searched, a quick phone call can verify my information...

[ComputerGuy]

What a weird concidence! Thanks for sharing.

[Chris]

I also tend to get my camera out of sight when I see a cop car around, but that's mostly because they might think you're doing different things than driving (like using a cell phone is forbidden while driving).

Did you guys also note (talking about the post 9-11 paranoia), that Google Streetview does not cover the bridges to Manhattan? Only the on/offramps, but it stops on the bridge itself...

[corco]

When I see a cop come up behind me while roadgeeking I turn at the first intersection, wait 5 minutes, and then get back on the road because I don't feel like explaining why I'm taking pictures of road signs and then risking him being in a bad mood and giving me a ticket for inattentive driving

[Bryant5493]

^^ That's why I'm not going to use my handheld camera anymore, while driving. I'm just going to use the dashboard mounted one. That one's just push-and-go.

This time, I was using my dashboard-mounted camera. I just got out of the car and walked around to take some photos.


Be well,

Bryant

[PAHighways]

During the final day of the National Meet in 2006, I was leading the group on a walk along the then unopened PA Turnpike 576.  As soon as we made it up the northbound on-ramp at 30, I saw the vector bar of a State Police cruiser speeding southbound and knew it was a matter of time until he made the U-turn at 22.  Sure enough he caught up to us and just politely told us to walk back to the interchange.

[Voyager]

There is a huge movement to try and make photography into some kind of crime. When you have cameras out as large as mine you get people to look at you very strange sometimes. You did nothing wrong, don't let them tell you otherwise.

[Bryant5493]

^^ They really didn't say much to me about the camera, except what I was doing with it. For all they knew, I could've been with the History Channel or National Geographic . In any event, you're right, nothing wrong with walking around with a camera.


Be well,

Bryant

[Bryant5493]

Here's video of the traffic stop. I forgot that the camera was still rolling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQvfa8-T7J4


Be well,

Bryant

[Voyager]

At least you have the evidence.

[Bryant5493]

^^ Yeah, the officers weren't rude or anything. Just more of an inconvience than anything else.


Be well,

Bryant

[corco]

In the future you really ought to pull into a parking lot (like that BP lot) when you can

[Bryant5493]

^^ I thought about that after the fact.

Thanks.


Be well,

Bryant

[Voyager]

Sometimes the panic response takes over and you don't do exactly what you're supposed to.

[corco]

Very good point

[Voyager]

I've never been pulled over though.

[Sykotyk]

I've been pulled over 5 times (only twice was I ticketed for anything). One time I was warned, and the other two times were on the basis of 'suspicious activity' where they run your license, ask where you're going, waste 15 minutes of your day (or in my case, night), and let you on your way.

I understand the reason, but it still is discriminatory.

Sykotyk

[WillWeaverRVA]

I've been followed and my plates run by cops while roadgeeking, but I've never actually been pulled over. Hopefully my luck will continue.

[ComputerGuy]

I've never heard of being pulled over and fined for roadgeeking...then again, I don't drive...

[corco]

The idea of driving around taking pictures of road signs isn't exactly "normal" behavior and it raises suspicion from the cops.

The most fun I've had is when clinching Washington's state routes, I also had to ride a ton of ferries.

Take pictures of the ferries is fun... because you're guaranteed to be questioned if you're not incredibly discrete about it. If you stand outside and take pictures of the scenery it is fine, but when you start taking pictures of the inside of the ferries, the car deck, and things like the lifeboat they really, really don't like it.

[ComputerGuy]

I take pictures all of the time and they don't mind.

[deathtopumpkins]

Been looked at suspiciously by both Amtrak workers and I believe both Norfolk Southern and CSX Railroad Police while railfanning, but never had anyone question my roadgeeking.

And Bryant, I got a good laugh out of that video! That cop's tone was pretty funny.

[Bryant5493]

^^ Yeah, he was kind rumbling and stumbling when I asked him, "What's wrong?"


Be well,

Bryant

[Alps]

I was stopped at the southern stub end of NY 135.  As I was taking photos a plainclothesman pulled up on the other side, unmarked car, flashed a badge and asked what I was doing.  While I explained it someone else pulled up.  He was very nice and said that I wasn't doing anything wrong and I should check out the northern stub end (I told him I planned to do that but not stop there, which was true, it's not as interesting).  He said I could get stopped up there and just tell them the same thing I told him.  The only one time I was ordered to stop and delete photos was a place I really wasn't supposed to have taken them, so I wasn't about to complain.  Nuff said.