As this undated story (April '04?) relates, NYC's New York Institute of Photography was recently visited by the NY State Counter-Terrorism Task Force. Seems one of their students had been seen surreptitiously photographing...
Was it a potential terrorist target – a military installation, an airport, or a reservoir?
Was it a subject of some other security concern? Perhaps an oil refinery?
No, the answer came back, the Investigator hadn’t fully explained to the staff, but it seemed that the student was taking pictures along a highway, and the subject appeared to be the cars on that highway.
But there's more to the story than just somewhat incredulous humor.
NYI Dean, Chuck DeLaney, called the investigator back after the fact to find out what was going on. What he learned is interesting, given that it's the story of the incidednt from the point of view of the investigator, and includes some of that investigator's own "photo tips" — but "...the Investigator agreed that there was little a photographer could do to avoid coming under suspicion in these troubled times."
This second article at the NYIT site, by instructior Jim Barthman, also counsels students to be aware, but reminds them: "I can’t let the situation dictate how I lead my life."
Posted November 18, 2004 06:10 PM