March 19th, 2010 | 
Author: with arrest for “obstruction” for filming a newsworthy event. According to the journalists blog:
A Sgt. Lee ordered some of the kids off the train to relieve the overcrowding. And I made the – apparently in his mind arrestable mistake – of videotaping him – a public figure at work. He ordered me to turn the camera off or he’d arrest me for “obstruction.”
Interesting. These kids are tearing up the car and he threatens to arrest me.
[...]
And to the cops: You have a tough job – one that I support. But you can’t tread on another’s rights. I have the right to videotape you in a public place doing the public’s business. So do that and stop threatening people acting within their rights.
According to NJ Transit policy “photography is legal in all publicly accessible areas”. The photographer was clearly within his rights to take the pictures or video.
Thanks to Photography is Not a Crime for the heads up on this story.
This is the policy that is still in effect today:
Posted in Photography and the Law
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There are days where I wonder if these guys know what the word “obstruction” means. Did they hear it on TV and decided to try this new fangled thing out at the next best opportunity?
So, what do you expect from the NJ gestapo? They are paid thugs and if you expect them to respect your rights then you are a total fool!!