October 13th, 2009 | 
Author: Witness this disturbing video of a security guard at Chicago’s House of Blues who assaulted a girl because he thought she took a picture of him and then proceeded to try to steal the camera of another girl who was videotaping the incident. Regardless of whatever may have transpired inside the venue it is LEGAL to take pictures of anything and anyone from public property and everyone involved is now standing on a public sidewalk.
Even inside or on private property the law is very clear. The most that any private security guard can do is ask a photographer to leave. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES can they as much as touch a camera, let alone force anyone to either delete pictures or even attempt to confiscate the equipment. Any security guard that does that can be prosecuted for THEFT! Even police cannot seize equipment WITHOUT A COURT ORDER!
Here now is the video. WARNING! STRONG LANGUAGE!
According to the person who originally posted the video on Youtube:
One fan took a pic(which one of the security guys thought she was taking of him) and he decided he didnt want his picture taken and walked over and tried to just take her camera out of her hand. This is what I got on my Flip…sorry about the end but another security took my camcorder when I was recording her…and the yelling IS me…I was VERY pissed off and upset.
The behavior of these guards is inexcusable!
If you find this as disturbing as we do then write to the House of Blues with your concerns:
329 N. Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 923–2000
**UPDATE** YOUTUBE Has once again chosen to CENSOR News and cooperate with certain corporate entities to COVER UP incidents like this.
Posted in Photography and the Law
Have a story to share that we did not cover? Want to discuss something in greater detail? Want to compare Nikon vs. Canon? Post it in our forum - all are welcome.
That’s totally messed up. Robbery, assault and battery? Lawsuit for sure. Hope those losers do time in the state pen.
Photography is Not a Crime has the story also-
http://carlosmiller.com/2009/10/13/house-of-blues-security-guard-assaults-woman-for-taking-his-picture/
The security guards were trying to get control. Those girls were out of line and drunk as can be. They were out of control and all wound up. They made things much worse than they should have. That’s when things happen. The security guard was actually much nicer than I would have been. he only held his hand out in front of him and the girl so she didn’t assault him. At least that’s how it looked to me. Thank goodness for security.
Amber:
The security guards escalated the matter by taking property that they have no right to take (i.e. the camera). Regardless of what may have transpired on the property of the venue once they were on public property then photography is legal. The security guards turned this into a photo rights issue. Lets just say that guard got off easy by being charged only with misdemeanor assault. He should also be charged with attempted robbery.