A security officer at 555 California Street in San Francisco is reported to have threatened to assault a photographer and break his camera for taking a picture of the building from a public sidewalk. Story Here

According to the photographer:

within a few moments several security guards greeted us with wagging fingers and walkie-talkies.

No photography, they stated clearly. Why, we responded. Safety, they said.

I decided to challenge this statement and the older of the bunch (left) asked me if I wanted to be punched in the face. No, I replied, I have to go back to work and a black eye would make things awkward for me. He then asked me how I would feel if he broke my camera. I told him I would be bummed, but that I needed an upgrade and if he touched me or my camera I would seek monetary legal action to the extent of a brand new Canon 5D Mark II.

A security guard who threatens anyone in such a manner should be investigated and fired. His behavior is inexcusable under any circumstances.

Before I get comments from private property advocates who will try to say that the photographers may have been standing on the publicly accessible area behind the legal property line demarcated by a sidewalk plaque; California Civil code states:

“After taking any of the actions set forth in paragraph (1), (2), or (3), and during the time such action is effective, the owner shall not prevent any public use which is appropriate under the permission granted pursuant to such paragraphs by physical obstruction, notice, or otherwise.” Restricting photography from the plaza in front of 555 California violates the public use clause in California Civil Code 1009.

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