MPTF intimidation tactics are alive and well. Friday night I went over to Century City around 8:30 p.m. to shoot some video of the set up activities for tonight's The Evening Before Emmy Event ...
Before entering Century Park I told the security supervisors inside at 2000 Avenue of the Stars that I wanted to shoot the park and buildings outside. They said OK, so I proceeded. It took less than five minutes for a hired MPTF security guard to show up and ask me to stop shooting.
I shouldn’t have engaged with him, but I did. I said I had permission to shoot the park from the building staff. The MPTF guard told me that building security was incorrect and then confirmed that he was going to escort me off the property.
This is a very uncomfortable situation and so I turned off the camera. But why? Why did I allow the MPTF security guard to intimidate me? Century Park is nothing if not a public place ... thousands of people walk through it every day. There are restaurants and stores there. I was doing no damage and wasn't making a disturbance.
But the MPTF guard got on his radio and shortly two other security men showed up. The level of intimidation was rising so I told them that I got what I needed and was going to leave. It as then that Mike the MPTF security guard told me that could delete my pictures if he wanted to. I took the tape out of my camera and told him it was private property and that he would not touch it. Then Mike told me he was going to call the police and I encouraged him to do so.
According to photographer’s rights experts even threatening to take film or tape from a photographer is a crime. According to a publication called "The Photographer’s Right" by Bert P. Krages II, Attorney at Law, “Taking film directly or indirectly by threatening to use force or call a law enforcement agency can constitute criminal offenses such as theft and coercion. It can likewise constitute a civil tort such as conversion.” According to Mr. Krages, the number of such incidents instigated by private security guards like those hired by the MPTF is on the rise.
I believe that if any local, network, or cable news cameraman had walked onto the grounds of Century Park and started taking pictures the security guards wouldn't have done anything because they would have to acknowledge the first amendment freedom of the press to take pictures. The U.S. Constitution guarantees me the same rights but the MPTF guards didn’t respect them.
I believe I was the victim of a crime and I’m sharing it here and I’m going to share it with other news organizations too. It feels like the MPTF runs over lots of rights these days and their willingness to do so is now extending beyond the Wasserman Campus all the way to Century City.
