Transit agency policy barring unpermitted photography in public
It is a clone of this request.
| Submitted | Feb. 17, 2016 |
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Communications
From: Phil Mocek
To Whom It May Concern:
At approximately 8:35 a.m. on Wednesday, February 17, 2016, as I was walking away from my fully-paid and lawful trip on the northbound Sounder passenger train from Lakewood to Seattle outside of the King Street public transit station in Seattle, Washington, a man who did not identify himself--approximately 60 years old, Caucasian, wearing what appeared to be a train conductor uniform (black shoes, navy blue suit with three gold buttons on the jacket, royal blue striped tie, black pillbox hat with short brim, dark blue band, and gold cord)--told me as I was photographing him with a small, consumer-grade, point-and-shoot digital camera I held in my hand, that a policy exists which barring photography without permission. He did not specify whose policy this was, how he was aware of the policy. When I asked him for further details, he turned away, entered the train car next to him, and began to talk on what appeared to be a mobile phone or radio.
My and this man's interaction, as well as his departure, was witnessed by a man I observed approximately 25 minutes earlier conducting an investigation of passengers on car 409B. When I asked the second man about the alleged photography policy, he remained silent, exhibited a 1000-yard stare, then turned, entered the train car, and next to the first man. They did not close the door. I did not follow them into the car, but stood outside of it for five to ten seconds before turning and leaving to go on about my day.
Pursuant to RCW Ch. 42.56 (Public Records Act), I hereby request the following records:
1. The policy to which the aforementioned man dressed as a train conductor referred when he spoke with me on the aforementioned date
2. All Sound Transit policies that include any of the words, "photography," "photograph," "photographs," "photographic," "camera," or "cameras."
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Phil Mocek
From: Anderson, Russ
Phil Mocek,
This will acknowledge receipt of your request for the policy cited by Sound Transit officer that they are not allowed to be photographed without permission; and all Sound Transit policies regarding cameras or photography. We received your request on February 17, 2016.
Due to the number of requests we are currently handling, we expect it will take another week to gather these records. We will notify you when they are ready.
Sincerely,
Russ Anderson, on behalf of
Q'Deene Nagasawa
Paralegal | Legal Department
Sound Transit
From: Anderson, Russ
Phil Mocek,
This will acknowledge receipt of your request for photographs, written notes, and reports from the transit agency staff that investigated all or most of the passengers on car 409B of the northbound Sounder train from Lakewood to Seattle on 2/17/2016 at approximately 8:10am. We received your request on February 17, 2016.
Due to the number of requests we are currently handling, we expect it will take another week to gather these records. We will notify you when they are ready.
Sincerely,
Russ Anderson, on behalf of
Q'Deene Nagasawa
Paralegal | Legal Department
Sound Transit
From: Nagasawa, Q'Deene
We have completed our search for responsive documents to your request. Car 409 operated on the trainset that functioned as #1512. When you review the notes and reports that information will be useful in your review.
1) We have no photographs and there is no video footage.
2) Attached are the written notes from the fare enforcements officers that worked on the subject Sounder train.
3) Attached is the daily report from fare enforcement and report from BNSF.
Sincerely,
Q'Deene Nagasawa
Q'Deene Nagasawa, Paralegal
Public Records Officer
Legal Department
Sound Transit
(206) 689-4924
From: Nagasawa, Q'Deene
Mr. Mocek~
Attached are Sound Transit's Policy No. 30- Public Activities at Sound Transit Facilities and Sound Transit's Security Standard Operating Procedures-SOP-SEC 4-09 CCTV. We have no policy regarding the photographing of officers without permission.
Sincerely,
Q'Deene Nagasawa
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