Several Unsuck readers received a memo about two suspicious looking men filming in the Metro. Below is part of the memo:
The subjects were observed at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station, Orange Line platform videotaping features of the station and operations of the train. Once aboard an Orange Line train to Vienna they videotaped how patrons oriented themselves within the metro rail car.
The subjects were attempting to videotape inconspicuously, by holding the camera at their side, between their chest and waist. If you come into contact with these individuals, please stop and identify, and call the Metro Transit Police Department Communications Division at (202) 962-2121
Here's what Metro has to say about it:
The Metro Transit Police are following up on a report of suspicious behavior reported by a Metro rider last week. As part of the routine follow-up, Transit Police issued a notice to all of its officers to be on the lookout for two individuals who were observed videotaping in Metrorail stations and on trains.
The rider observed the men filming portions of the stations and trains, as well as riders at the L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail station platform and on an Orange Line train to Vienna last week. The men, according to the citizen report, were trying to be inconspicuous, holding the cameras at their sides. The rider was able to photograph the men who were videotaping and sent the photo to the Transit Police.
Based on the photograph and the information received by the citizen, the Transit Police have no reason to suspect the individuals in question about anything specific. The Metro Transit Police did, however, issue the “be on the lookout for” notice, a standard tactic used by police departments to share information with their officers. The notice advises officers to call the Metro Transit Police Communications or Criminal Investigation divisions if they see the individuals.
The Transit Police notice was meant for an internal audience only and was not intended to be a public notice. The incident was not meant to be elevated to a public alert level and was not meant to alarm anyone.
We applaud our customer’s efforts in bringing this matter to our attention and we encourage all customers to report anything suspicious to the Metro Transit Police Department.
· 753 weeks ago
UnSuck Fan · 753 weeks ago
Shawna · 753 weeks ago
Ever and Anon · 753 weeks ago
F'n JD · 753 weeks ago
Sam · 753 weeks ago
horseydeucey · 753 weeks ago
I wonder how many "I'm gonna call the police" posters here have actually called the police when they've witnessed illegal behavior on the metro (like eating, for example).
@deafinthecity · 753 weeks ago
Fix that for you Unsuck.
Ever Anon · 753 weeks ago
GlenmontGirl · 753 weeks ago
However, I can't think of too many good reasons for the men to be attempting to conceal the fact that they were filming.
If I happen to run into these guys, I will definitely call Metro PD, though I'm not sure it will do any good.
@Mykeru · 753 weeks ago
no name · 753 weeks ago
Kat · 753 weeks ago
guesty · 753 weeks ago
The Good Doctor · 753 weeks ago
Anonymous · 753 weeks ago
@Mykeru · 753 weeks ago
Some self-appointed free lance Homeland Security agent asked me what I was taking pictures of. "The trees" I said.
I continued to the metro, no longer taking pictures, to catch my train. Same guy approaches me on the platform and asks "Who do you work for?" Now I'm getting tense. Obviously something is wrong with the guy.
I get on the train and amateur sleuth follows me, questioning me about what I was doing, who I was, so loudly that people on the train are starting to look at me, like I was taking pictures up some kid's skirt or something.
I tried to explain I was taking photos of the fucking trees. That I didn't need a permit. That even if I was taking pictures of things other than the trees, that I didn't need permission for pubic photography. Finally, I asked the guy, outright, what in hell was wrong with him.
Recently I was taking the red line at Metro center. Across the platform a girl was taking photos. Of the station. For people not used to subway stations or used to ones like in New York, it's photo-worthy. Some guy started eyeballing her. You could see that he was about to go into Junior G-Man mode.
Hysteria over photography has two motives: For professionals in law enforcement it's security theater. It does nothing but gives the impression they are "on it". For ordinary citizens it's great fun for neurotics and busy-bodies.
One thing remains true: Casing a place by taking pictures is something that happens in the movies. It doesn't happen in real life. No significant crime or act of terrorism was ever conducted by taking photos. And even if it was, anyone with the funding to commit an act of terrorism can buy completely stealth video and photographic devices.
Of course, the people here were probably taking photos for Unsuckdcmetro.com, seathogs.com or trainpigs.com anyway.