Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/04/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The following excerpt from our Precinct Captain's weekly report bears on the issues regarding photographing in public places that we discussed a few months ago: ------------------- "On April 21, 2010 Richmond Station was alerted by email of recent suspicious activity by an adult white male at Mountain Lake Park. This suspect was seen using his cell phone to take photographs of children at the Mountain Lake Park play structures. He did not have any children with him. An alert member of the community used her cell phone to take a photograph of the suspect which she included with her email to Richmond Station. She followed the suspect to his car and reported to us that he drives a Silver Chrysler "PT Cruiser". "The email and photograph was immediately distributed to Richmond Station Officers. Plain clothes officers, with the assistance of inspectors from the Department's Sexual Offender Unit, started an immediate search of places that they could expect to locate an individual engaging in such activity. The work of plain clothes officers included stake-outs and showing the suspect's photograph to possible witnesses. Thus far, we have not been able to identify the suspect from his photograph and a search of our sex offender database was unproductive. We have sent the photograph to our partners at the State Department of Justice in hopes that they might be able to identify him. "All of the police activity described above is ongoing. I am glad to report that we have been able to determine several places that the suspect frequents, including a commercial establishment in the district. "On Wednesday night several officers and I met with forty members of the "Friends of Mountain Lake Park" community group regarding the suspect and to discuss how we can work collaboratively to find him quickly. "The volume of internet traffic related to this issue has been significant and has done a great deal to raise public awareness about this suspect and his activities. I have attached a copy of the suspect's photograph to this newsletter and request that you call police immediately if you see him. I am confident that all of us working together we will be able to quickly find and identify this suspect." ---------------- Oliver PS I don't know whether there are any signs at the playground in Mountain Lake Park stating that photographing children is prohibited.