First of all I would like to thank EVERYONE who responded to my post about my run in with a Law Enforcemrnt Officer while taking pictures at a fire. All of your responses negative and positive were welcomed. A high 5 to my buddy Randy in Philly-(Pat's KING of Steaks is MY PLACE!) for sending me to various websites about photographers rights. I also found alot of sights dedicated to run in's other photographers and videographers have had with police. What i saw disturbed me. The amount of post 9-11 "anyone taking a picture of a building or a bridge must be working for al-quida" fever has been used by law enforcement to harass people who simply wanted to take a picture. I could not believe it.

For those who missed the origional post, I was stopped and nearly arrested for taking pictures at a fire because the deputy could not understand "why anyone would want to take a picture of a fire". when I explained myself and asked why i'm being stopped, she took my personal information and entered it into a computer then ordered me to stay behind the ambulance (there was no defined fire line). When I went 50 yards to one side, she approached me again and threatened to arrest me for obstruction.

The Internal Affairs Division informs me that they have closed the case. The deputy has resigned.from my own sources I have discovered that the deputy resigned all right...she was HIRED BY THE FEDS. As far as I am concened I am not going to buy that she quit over this. My origional desire has allways been that I recieve an assurance that the sheriffs department knows what the rights are when it comes to photographers and videographers, PERIOD. I will be writing the IAB requesting assurance that this subject will be addressed with the rank in the form of training sometime in the future.

Photogrtaphy and Videography is important to the fire service, EMS and "yes" Law Enforcement. (if it is not, how do we get to see dash cam video from time to time of critical incidents?)

I have shooting fires "between bouts fo fighting them" for over 30 years. What happened to me could have happened to anyone and caused me untold problems in my life up to and including havng to check "YES" on line 7 of job applications. I know what i'm doing and have have been priviledged to have been published in Firehouse and other publications. I think it sucks that some in the the law enforcement community respond the way they do but understand why they do it. The bottom line is that as long as I am in a public place and or behind the fire or police line, I can shoot anything I want and cannot be stopped by any law enforcement officer. They cannot confiscate my film camera or memory card "as evidence" without a court order but I would GLADLY give a copy if asked as a supporter of law enforcement. Again my thanks to you all, it's been an education