Freedom of Photography: Police, Security Often Clamp Down Despite Public Right

Washington Post has a story about the picture police:  “A few weeks ago, on his way to work, Matt Urick stopped to snap a few pictures of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s headquarters. He thought the building was ugly but might make for an interesting photo. The uniformed officer who ran up to him didn’t agree. He told Urick he was not allowed to photograph federal buildings. . . . Courts have long ruled that the First Amendment protects the right of citizens to take photographs in public places.”

See “Snohomish settles with UW prof arrested for photographing power lines,” which tells the story of a woman who was arrested for taking pictures in a public place, sued and won $8,000.  See also “Professor detained for taking pictures sues.”