The Seattle Police Department is reviewing an incident on Friday,
May 8, in which officers arrested a 29-year-old man and banned him from
the Eastlake REI store after he used his phone to photograph two
armored-car security guards who were servicing an ATM inside the
store.
Shane Becker, a Seattle web designer, says he was standing in line
at REI, getting ready to purchase a lock for his car’s bike rack, when
he saw two Loomis security guards refilling the ATM.
Becker walked over and took a picture of the security guards and the
open ATM with his phone. On his blog, iamshane.com, Becker wrote that he took the
photo because he’s “fascinated by the insides of things that we don’t
normally get to see.”
According to Becker, the armed security guards confronted him about
the photo and threatened to tackle him if he tried to leave the store.
“Loomis wanted my ID so that they could write a report internally,”
Becker says. “They said they didn’t know who I was or what I intended
to do with the photograph or why I would want to take it.” Becker
refused to show the Loomis employees his ID, REI security got involved,
and the police were called.
According to a police report, when officers arrived, one of the
armed Loomis guards told police he was “concerned about his safety and
was not sure if Becker was going to attempt to grab the money that was
going into the ATM machine.”
Police claim Becker was “uncooperative” and refused to give them his
ID, and they arrested him. Becker acknowledges he wouldn’t give police
his ID, but says he was afraid they’d hand it over to Loomis.
Police took Becker to the West Precinct and held him for about half
an hour before requiring him to sign a “trespass admonishment” card
barring him from returning to REI for a year. On the morning of
Tuesday, May 12, Becker received an e-mail from SPD’s Office of
Professional Accountability informing him that a complaint had been
filed against the officers on his behalf.
Kara Stone, general manager at REI’s Eastlake store, says the
incident was “super unfortunate” and claims Becker was not banned from
the store at the request of REI staff, although SPD records indicate
otherwise. “Shane is welcome to come into our store,” she says.
An employee named Frank who answered the phone at Loomis’s office
would not comment on the incident or whether Loomis has any company
policies about photography of staff members.
Doug Klunder, Privacy Project director at the Seattle branch of the
American Civil Liberties Union, says cases like Becker’s are becoming
more frequent. “These come up all the time, and the ultimate answer
ends up being yes [the photographer] had the right to take the photo
and should not have been arrested and detained. It would be really nice
if officers would start realizing that [before making an arrest] rather
than going through this rigmarole.” 
You posters amaze me. This is a story about privacy rights. Just because someone demands your ID does not mean you have to show it. Period. No reasons necessary. I had this happen on May 9 when Animal Control stopped me on a dog walk. She demanded my ID, which I never carry when I walk in the neighborhood park I’ve going to for 11 years. She detained me and called the police. The King County Deputy told me if I did not answer EVERY question AC asked, he would put me in hand cuffs and take me to jail. I, too, was described as “difficult” and “irate”. After deputy ran my name and address through his computer, he gave the information, plus my Social Security to AC. She demanded my phone number, my dogs’ names and to know if they were microchipped. (She scanned them without my permission.) All this over a dog license. (Our tax dollars at work!)
Later, I spoke to a friend (current Code Enforcement and past Community Police Officer in my fair city) and a lawyer about the incident. Guess what? Animal Control and the cop were wrong in how they handled it. AC has no authority to detain; hence, why she had to call the cops. The cop lied in what I had to answer, but he had to show his solidarity with AC. And why go to the press? Because most lawyers will just say it’s not big enough to rock the boat.
Before any of you say nasty things about me, I am in my 50’s, have contributed large amounts of time and product to my neighborhood park, am C.E.R.T. trained and have taken part in the Citizens Police Academy. I have been involved in numerous volunteer activities. (Ever notice those planters and benches at the Kent Animal Shelter? They were from my store.) All that aside, I will fight tooth and nail for my right to privacy.
So how stupid are the Loomis goons? Instead of one anonymous shopper having and seeing the picture he took, thousands see it in print and online. This is ALL overreaction on the part of Loomis, REI and SPD to a LAWFUL act by an anonymous clown. The photog may be a douch, but he didn’t break ANY laws, didn’t hurt anyone, and didn’t cause this problem. The knee-jerk idiots who feel they are in positions of authority caused all the problems. Loomis dicks, REI weasels and SPD egomaniacs are responsible for the entire situation blowing up in their faces.
@41 I agree that he made a bad move by not handing over his ID, but two wrongs don’t make a right, and both SPD and Loomis were in the wrong. Did you not finish the article? REI didn’t care care if he took a picture or not. So it’s not a matter of anarchism, or not following the rules of a building you entered willingly… It’s a matter of what we are and aren’t allowed to do. I personally refrain from opinion, but think it’s more or less something you should pay attention to; the little rights that are taken away.
@ 39, I love you.
who cares what he wears, how often he showers, etc. etc. I’d still defend him in court – as well as all you judgemental jack-offs. Read #32 again, she’s got her finger on the essential pulse of the matter.
Most of the supposed anarchists here just sound like fascists, telling everybody how they should or shouldn’t behave. That’s anarchy? Sounds like “the man”
If Becker’s intention was to get arrested for something that isn’t actually a crime, he did everything exactly right. The asshole behavior, the refusal to identify himself (which is not a crime unless you are suspected of a felony, misdemeanor, or vehicular infraction) – all of it pitch-perfect.
I say give this douchebag some credit. Plus, he exposed those Loomis guards as the biggest pussies on earth. Armed to the teeth, they’re afraid for their safety because some scrawny hippie took their photo.
Its an embarassing moment when REI’s Wanna be Security has to call the Police , Cause Loomis rent an Idiot, feels there going to get robed. But hey look where there working the could not make it as a Cop. And as for SPD Get a Clue you useless piece of Authority. Lets Arrest a guy for taking a picture of the inside of a Damn ATM , Machine and let the Crack dealer continue to sell his drug on Capitol Hill.
Why did they Just not ask him to delete the darn picture and move on , and when asking for his ID I think He should have given the SPD it But as for the loomis Idiots I would have told them to go screw themselves. What is becoming of Seattle, Lets Get real here < I hope Becker Not only sues Loomis for being arrested, But he shoudl also go after the Morons at REI and have those Security properly Repremended and legal action taken against them and the city of Seattle as well
Becker Give These Jerks what they deserve, Its time for a reality check for REI Security and SPD, TO realize there way over stepping the boundaries treating every one like a criminal
post 57 enoughcrapbereal,wow does yo huve iny educationz???dududududu. reality check yourself pal.dah. maybe he can sue the mariners for causing him to miss a ride on a train because of all the traffic.IF YOU WANT TO LIVE IN THE U.S.A. YOU FOLLOW THE RULES,ITS WHAT MAKES THE U.S.A. IF YOU DONT LIKE IT GET THE F OUT. ACCEPT RESPONSIBILTY FOR YOUR OWN ACTIONS.
There is no state or federal mandated ID, so you can not be prosecuted for failure to show that ID.
There are laws to identify yourself to an officer (usually name, address, and date of birth) under certain circumstances, if you fail to do so you can be arrested.
@58 peewee By following the “rules” of the USA what would you be referring to? Something in the Constitution about not taking pictures where it may be dangerous? You sound like an utter dipshit.
@mcguber He was mocking Crap Barrel. Stick to Highlights until your reading comprehension catches up, you otter popcock.
I’ve met Shane a couple of times before in social context. He made some tasty cookies and he’s super cute to me. He’s also a bit of a stick-it-to-the-man rabblerouser and douchey or not, I suspect he REALLY did accomplish his true goal that day with the coverage it’s getting.
Just have money machine changers, i mean guards?, put up those portable blinds so they cant be photographed. Might require one more guard to ‘watch’ on the outside of the blind.. so bank will just charge us another buck or two to pay for the blind and the extra guard. If you have the dough, you can photograph in huge detail with a telephoto lens from down the street. Good lord! “Your papers please!” We are not required to show id unless under circumstances mentioned above.
I’m with 32 & 50. It really floors how people have completely internalized the idea that the cops have the right to do anything they want to us. If a police officer demands anything of you, you do it. Period. Doesn’t matter how unreasonable/intrusive/power-trippy/whatever it is, if a cop says “jump”, you ask “how high”. I guess all those taserings have had the desired effect. Pretty fucking lame, people.
Papers, please!
@11: “As for refusing to present your ID when you encounter the police, well, that will indeed get you arrested.”
@34: “Shane is a douche but because he chose to exacerbate the situation by refusing to show his ID and be polite.”
@35: “The bottom line is that Shane was arrested for not showing his ID to SPD, right?”
@53: “I agree that he made a bad move by not handing over his ID.”
Man, did you people grow up in communist Russia? In this country, we’re not even required to have identification documents, much less to carry them around and to present them upon request.
@65: “If a police officer demands anything of you, you do it.”
That’s probably a good idea, but be very aware of the difference between a request and a demand. Police will often ask for something that they do not have the authority to demand, specifically because they cannot demand it and they know that you will mistake their request for a demand.
Please see the Flex Your Rights Foundation’s FAQ, particularly #7: “When do I have to show ID?”.
I feel so sorry for all the idiots who spend their whole lives complying with police offers/security guards/REI managers/Kindergarten teachers, just because they’re afraid of authority. I don’t know how anyone could bear to live a life of such blind obedience.
Have a mind of your own, for crying out loud! It’s not as if you’ll be executed on the spot for living autonomously. Go ahead and step out of the shadow of fear. Make your own decisions. I know thinking for yourself can be pretty scary but, who knows, you might like it!
@56 Yeah because they have free-reign to just start shooting when they feel threatened, right? I’m sure you’d feel pretty fucking uncomfortable with someone taking your picture if you moved large amounts of cash out in the public, no? Or maybe you aren’t a “pussy” like those guys and you’d just kick ass and take names right?
The guy sounds like he needs a good curb-stomping anyways. Vegans are retarded, straigt-edgers are retarded, anarchists are retarded. Mix all three together and you have one massive self-rightous bag of douche.
@67. Most of us do “make our own decisions”. We try and avoid the stupid ones, unlike the subject of this article. I don’t take blatant photos of people who are visibly armed and handling large sums of cash in public…so far it’s been working out pretty well.
Can anyone explain to me why an “anarchist” would complain about his constitutional rights being violated? He should be glad those guards ovestepped their boundaries as defined by the laws of the United States. Maybe he just likes the “A” with the circle around it…
@69: “I don’t take blatant photos of people who are visibly armed and handling large sums of cash in public.”
Why not? Are you afraid of those people? If you think those guys are likely to shoot someone over an image of their public behavior being captured, you should do something about it, not leave them to bully others around until someone gets hurt. Let them threaten a few people, rack up a couple assault convictions, and then when one of them blows his hot-headed top someday, he’ll have a documented history of bad behavior and maybe he’ll end up in jail where such dangerous people belong.
Can we get a Loomis schedule? Let’s photograph these guys every time we lay eyes on them in uniform. Why they’re more concerned about digital memory than biological memory is a mystery to me.
@71 – I respect that they are doing a job where they probably don’t want to be photographed. To think they would be fine with it is stupid. Are you concerned about your safety when you go to work, daily? I bet they are.
Did the guards overreact and overstep their boundaries? They sure did. Why do you think these guys are so on-edge? Maybe, just maybe, people try to rob/kill them while they are working. It’s a very unlikely scenario in a Seattle REI, but chances are they can’t turn that heightened awareness off at will.
I don’t need to take their picture. And, I dont’ find it that “fascinating”.
@72: So dude, what is significant: a) the fact that they’re armed or b) the fact that they’re doing a job which leads you to believe that they don’t want to be photographed? In your first comment @69, you implied that someone puts himself at risk by photographing people who are armed in public. After I asked if you were afraid of these armed delivery drivers, you changed gears and implied that someone puts himself at risk by photographing anyone who doesn’t want to be photographed in public.
If you’re simply suggesting that people should, in order to avoid being threatened by people like these Loomis guys and hassled by our police, refrain from photographing those who are likely to prefer not to be photographed, I think you’re putting the blame in the wrong place. This guy did nothing wrong, and he did nothing to deserve the treatment he received either from the Loomis goons or from the police. They were all in the wrong. He did nothing but photograph that which scores of people saw in person, and as a result, these guys threatened to assault him.
Since you asked: I suspect these guys are so on-edge because they’re power-tripping pricks, and because people like you are happy to tippy-toe around such pricks, when someone shows them some backbone, it gets their hackles up.
Do you really think they’re in much danger at the REI check-out counter, or that a guy with a phone-cam puts them at any greater risk? Do you really think they’re in much danger anywhere else they’re paid to do their jobs? I strongly suspect that their employer instructs them to immediately hand over any money if a conflict arises. It’s not like their job is to fight off muggers.
Their job is to go around carrying wads of cash in public, and presumably they are paid extra to compensate for any additional risk posed by their job compared to other delivery people’s jobs.
Stressful jobs or not, if the story is as it seems, they were completely out of line.
Thanks for the micro-analysis of my posts. If you don’t think taking pics of armed guards handling cash in public is a bad idea, then go ahead and do it. I’ll just “tip toe around them”…aka leave them the hell alone, and not give them one extra thing to think about.
Yeah I’m sure every robbery works out just peachy. They just hand the money over and get a thank you card in the mail the following week. Nobody’s ever been shot after handing cash over to a criminal.
Go ahead and follow the Loomis guys around on schedule, snapping their photos. Make sure you get them when delivering cash to a bank. When they ask what in the hell you are doing, show ’em some backbone. Let us know how it all works out.
Bye.
@74 FTW!
@74: Dude, Colin suggested @67 that people know their rights and stand up for them rather than whipping out their IDs like a bunch of sheep any time they’re asked to do so.
You implied @69 that this was bad advice; that people aren’t sheep just because they avoid the bad decision of pissing off pricks like the Loomis guys by not photographing them doing their armed delivery macho-man jobs in public. When pressed for details, you changed your tune, and when I asked for clarification of your views, you stormed off in a huff.
So it seems you feel strongly enough about this to cut down someone who reminds people to stand up for their rights so we don’t all lose those rights, but not strongly enough to face the fact that your attitude is one involving cowering in the face of bullying.
You go ahead and help these powder kegs inflate their egos to the point that someone gets assaulted for simply watching them and then refusing to identify himself. Go ahead and snap to it whenever someone says, “Papers, please!” People a couple generations later can tell us how it worked out.
Coward.
@76- From your link Papers Please (did you even read it?)
“As of 2008, 24 states had stop-and-identify laws. Regardless of your state’s law, keep in mind that police can never compel you to identify yourself without reasonable suspicion to believe you’re involved in criminal activity.”
“As a general rule, reasonable suspicion applies to situation in which police have reason to believe you’re up to something, but they don’t know what it is.”
Got that Loomis schedule yet?
Idiot.
A photojournalist or artist could put together a whole series of photos of people that wear guns in America in 2009. It would be interesting commentary.
A Cornish student could be given the assignment to photograph people doing secretive jobs (I know a former Cornish student who was giving the assignment to capture kisses in photos, as an example – something that could rile the subjects for sure).
Dorothea Lange took pictures of the grim/harsh effects of the depression in the US, as well as effects of anti-japanese racism during WWII. [See: JapaneseAmericanGrocer1942.jpg]
She captured families that were starving, she captured the inner workings of a failing USA, and she captured important moments in time (the link above is a grocer’s storefront the day before he was dragged to internment).
Was she a douche?
Shane may not have had as lofty artistic ambitions as Dorothea. But, in Washington state, he does indeed have the right, on foot in a business, to take pictures of what ever he wants AND to refuse to provide ID or details beyond his name, even to police. There ARE states where this isn’t the case. What you do WITH the photos can get you into trouble (example: taking pictures of a professional model in a modelling context and then making money off the images without compensation to the model; the model can sue your ass).
If you think taking photos should be criminal in certain situations – then fine; either move to a different state or lobby for changes in WA state law.
Keep in mind the bus driver in the news yesterday: captured reading a book, having a meal, taking calls while driving his bus in Boston/NY. If taking photos were illegal, that douche driver might not have been caught being unsafe.
Worrying for the security guards’ safety is noble, but living in fear in america is not: if they truly are so scared for their safety, they should change how they operate (come afterhours, perhaps?) or figure out a way to do their job without being threaten by the likes of photos. Especially in the cam phone age where half the people in line could’ve taken that picture. The truth is, there’s no law to stop you from staring at them, nor video recording them, nor giving them a speech, nor photographing them.
I believe in constitutional rights, which include the right to be a lame ass douche, to be an atheist, to be a slacker and to be a self-righteous authoritarian prick (so long as it doesn’t impede someone else’s rights). Ex: The Loomis boys could also have exercised their free speech rights, and shamed the 29yo publicly: “hey kid, what do you think you’re doing taking pictures of the inside of our cash machine? You want people to think you’re cool, that you might be a bank robber, a master thief? You’re not cool – you’re a wimpy punk, you wish you had half my balls, and should be embarrassed and ashamed of yourself. If you’re going to photodocumentary, at least get a real camera.”.
edit: fixed link -webmaster
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:JapaneseAmeri…
hmm message was cut. bummin. What is this? Twitter?
or at least, they could have said “hey buddy, come on; if you take that picture, then we’re going to have to File reports and shit to our boss – how bout you delete that so our boss doesn’t find it online and fire our asses”?
Instead they succumbed to standard Seattle passive-agressiveness – they tattled, like little playground girls, to the SPD. And THAT’s weaker than Shane trying to be cool taking the picture.
@77: On Some Dude’s Core, I’ll quote the passage to which you refer:
Note that Washington State does not have a stop-and-identify law. Following that “reasonable suspicion” link, we find:
What facts or circumstances in the REI checkout line do you think would have lead a reasonable person to suspect that a crime had been, was, or would be committed?
Since you dropped the name calling I’ll answer your question.
Correct me if I’m wrong here. ATM machines have had a history of being broken into (aka card skimming devices, etc) in Seattle. Armed security guards have had a history of being robbed and killed. Someone, somehow is getting into these machines when nobody is looking. At least in my opinion, it’s strange to have someone come up and snap a photo of one being serviced. It’s not exactly picturesque or interesting. Is that reasonable suspicion? That is a stretch, especially since it’s the only time he did it. But, it’s not exactly out of the question. One thing is for sure, it will most likely lead towards a confrontation of some sort.
Now, the situation I mentioned of you following around Loomis guards on their schedule, taking their pictures, and making sure you do this in front of a few banks. Well, yes I think that is. And if you choose to do that, I’d prepare to answer a few questions to the police.
Time to step away from the computer. Go enjoy your weekend of sunshine.
However,
Robbery/theft occurs everywhere: ATM Machines. School lockers. Alleys in Belltown. Starbucks tip jars. City Hall parks/ARC budgeting.
Armed guards do not have a history of being robbed nor killed at REI.
You have the right to snap a photo of whatever you like, and in fact several groups encourage the photographing/videographing of armed officers (public and private) to encourage accountability. You even have the right to follow Loomis, or SPD, anywhere around the city as long as you remain on public property and follow the law. Even if it’s a little crazy to some people, even if it’s a little suspicious to others. You can even carry around a concealed weapon (if you have the permit). And wear a shirt saying just about anything (say, LOOMIS=COWARDS, for example). And shout words that will make some people red in the face. And burn a flag. And refuse a warrantless search request.
It’s weird and surprising what actual freedom/liberty enables, huh? And the best part; liberty for liberty’s sake is what the nation was founded on! Fancy that.
However,
Robbery/theft occurs everywhere: ATM Machines. School lockers. Alleys in Belltown. Starbucks tip jars. City Hall parks/ARC budgeting.
Armed guards do not have a history of being robbed nor killed at REI.
You have the right to snap a photo of whatever you like, and in fact several groups encourage the photographing/videographing of armed officers (public and private) to encourage accountability. You even have the right to follow Loomis, or SPD, anywhere around the city as long as you remain on public property and follow the law. Even if it’s a little crazy to some people, even if it’s a little suspicious to others. You can even carry around a concealed weapon (if you have the permit). And wear a shirt saying just about anything (say, LOOMIS=COWARDS, for example). And shout words that will make some people red in the face. And burn a flag. And refuse a warrantless search request.
It’s weird and surprising what actual freedom/liberty enables, huh? And the best part; liberty for liberty’s sake is what the nation was founded on! Fancy that.
Several posters seem unaware that it is within the right of anyone owning private property to legally prohibit photography on those premises. Gray areas arise when something on private property occurs that involves public concern or safety. Crimes, fires, natural disasters, etc. are some obvious examples; hence the right of photojournalists or even citizens to take those kind of pictures.
Photographs taken in public are usually legal unless the image moves towards libel or slander. In recent years the courts have gone back and forth on this. The American Society of Media Photographers has lawyers monitoring and addressing these cases constantly to protect the rights of photographers. Having said that, they don’t always win.
Photographers who think they can take pictures anywhere without consequence (like our ATM photographer) are at best misinformed, at worst naive.
Consider this: can a photographer standing in the street (public) point a camera into the bedroom of a home (private)? As we all know, paparazzi (translation: little flea/pest) do this all the time; hence society’s disgust with them. Is such disgust warranted? I believe it is.
Finally–how depressing to read the juvenile posts, name calling, and insults that appear regularly throughout this thread. As newspapers and bona fide journalism disappear or move to more interactive media (like the web), get ready for this kind of dialogue to be the norm. Many, including our president (read the transcript of his Notre Dame commencement speech) are trying to reverse this trend; we can all do more to support and encourage thoughtful and respectful civic dialogue.
@84: “it is within the right of anyone owning private property to legally prohibit photography on those premises.”
It’s within the property owner’s right to tell his guests not to do it, and to tell people they’re no longer welcome if they do it.
“Photographers who think they can take pictures anywhere without consequence (like our ATM photographer) are at best misinformed, at worst naive.”
The extent of that consequence is being informed that they are no longer welcome. Being assaulted by a couple of thugs is not. Being forced to identify themselves is not. Being punished for committing a crime is not.
People who think they have to show their papers upon the request of a police officer, much less some delivery guys, are sadly mistaken. People who threaten someone else with bodily harm for photographing them in public are guilty of assault.
A few years ago my sister and were getting ready to give my mother’s house a makeover so I went to lots of furniture stores and took pictures of lots of stuff for my mom and sister to look at. The people in many of the stores thought it was very strange and some gave me flack.
What is wrong with people?
ps,
I was not using a flash.
Why didn’t Loomis guys just call the cops themselves? They report “hey this guy is taking pictures of the inside of any ATM we are concerned that he will try to rob it or break into it and steal money.” SPD has grounds to ask for ID, they take all info and then deal with whatever reasoning he had for doing what he did. They write a report, Loomis asks for a copy (which they can do…) and then they have the info for their internal reports? All REI had to do was sit back and let them fuss at eachother and it would have been fine.
I think it’s good this has sparked some dialogue. Especially if the responses to this article are any indication of people’s (lack of) understanding of police authority. Loomis guys either threatened Becker, or implicitly put him on citizens’ arrest. If they did so wrongfully, they could easily be sued.
I will say that Shane might have been more diplomatic without giving his ID (which he didn’t need to), but I wasn’t there, so who knows.
OPA filed something, which hopefully leads to some kind of action to make cops think about overstepping their shit and arresting someone for no good reason. Otherwise, I don’t see any real harm here. (Rent-a) cops were a bit dickish and demanding shit with no real grounds and they got the dickish response that more people should give them. Then they let him go when they had nothin’.
They overstepped their authority and overreacted, but in their defense the Loomis guys are probably under orders to report even the slightest suspicious activity and assume the worst – so they probably weren’t thinking, “gee, are we violating this guys rights for nothing?”
Also the cop’s reference to 9/11 Becker mentions in his blog is hilarious/ridiculous. To paraphrase:
Cop: “Remember 9/11? One time I was in a completely different situation taking pictures.”
Becker: “Did you just play the 9/11 card?”
Cop: “Book ‘im!”
OK, Where was the Seattle SWAT TEAMS. Why did they not call out the same 60 officers used to bust a massage parlor and swarm the building, block off Eastlake, and surround the building???? Oh, wait, it was a guy. — never mind.
So today a armored car employee was shot in the head point blank in Lakewood and the bag of money he was carrying was taken. I guess now all of you clowns get the picture. These guys do very dangerous jobs. Having some pin head snapping pictures of them doing their job is something they can and should be concerned about.
I fully agree!!! We all can’t hug a tree and sing campfire songs in a circle… so the “Rent-a-cops” that wear body armor and carry guns to make them big and bad REALLY DO HAVE A REASON TO BE ON EDGE!!! thoughts and prayers go out to the family and co-workers of the guard…R.I.P.
Yes, It’s a shame, though hardly a surprise, that someone working in an inherently dangerous job got shot. But… This justifies taking away someone’s rights?
In that same logic, we should ban all roads and cars in the US because soldiers in Iraq are killed by roadside bombs.
Well I guess I need to put my 2 cents in here also.. After 9/11/01 there has been and rightly so a big increase in paranoid responces to things.. That said I would think that someone takeing pictures of equipment that is not generaly seen open would raise a red flag up for me and yes I would call the cops even moreso when said party is not willing to identiphy his/her self.. There are factors one must consider here 1 that they might be tring to plan a robbery 2. They might want to see if a bomb could be planted in one 3 therer is allso the aspect that there wanting to know where or if there is a camera in them to work up piossibilty of mugging someone at a ATM you have to look at this picture from the side of the service folks as well as from a point of intrest of them , That said there are a few things also that needs to be pointed out A yes you can take pictures of things , However if the area there bans that you have to follow there rules on that , Also if you publish a picture you need permition of any party in that picture before you do publish it.. so yes you can do some things but you need to realize that there are things better left alone