TSA Considers Banning Photography at Checkpoints

DATELINE ZERO — The TSA doesn’t much like having to be on record for their actions. Therefor, they are actually considering banning cameras from recording their activity. From Pixiq.com [full article at the link]:

The Transportation Security Administration is considering changing its policy on photographing security checkpoints after several videos depicting questionable incidents between passengers and TSA screeners were posted on Youtube.

News of the possible changes in policy was posted Friday on the TSA Blog, the same blog that posted that it is permissible to photograph checkpoints, even though most screeners act as if it has always been illegal.

The reason it is considering changing its policy stems from a Youtube video that was recorded in Phoenix when a woman opted-out of the metal detectors and chose to get patted down by a TSA screener.

The woman began yelling hysterically that she had been molested by the screener.

Meanwhile, the woman’s son was recording the incident and continued to do so, even though several TSA screeners told him he was breaking the law.

Regarding the allegations that a TSA officer molested a woman, the TSA itself stated on their blog that they are bothered by the incident. No, they aren’t really going to be investigating the officers involved. What bothers the higher-ups at the TSA is that cameras are currently permitted to be used at TSA checkpoints — they don’t want their activity being on record. From the TSA’s blog:

You may have seen the video of a woman at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport who was upset about her screening experience.

TSA takes all allegations of improper screening seriously and investigates each claim to the fullest. After reviewing this passenger’s time at the checkpoint, we found that our security officers acted properly and neither the CCTV footage nor this YouTube video support any of the allegations levied. Real violations of our protocols are worth every ounce of our energy to investigate, but this alleged incident does not meet that threshold.

This incident has also raised many questions about whether or not passengers can film at checkpoints. This topic is currently under review, but you can read this blog post on our current policy for photography at checkpoints.

Pixiq.com also reports that Mickey H. Osterreicher, attorney for the National Press Photographers Association, “sent an awesome letter to Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, regarding this matter.” Full letter is free to view HERE [pdf]. The letter is is indeed freaking awesome. Among other things, Mr. Osterreicher says:

To now consider shooting the “public messenger” but allow surveillance video sounds more like George Orwell’s 1984 where “big brother is watching,” while the public may not. As our organization has previously stated, photography by itself is not a suspicious activity and is protected by the First Amendment.

Obviously the TSA is not the least bit interested in personal accountability. It stands to reason that we can all expect the TSA to act worse when they know that cameras are banned from documenting their activity. Seriously, if agents are singling women out for their breasts and are being caught on camera feeling up little boys while cameras are allowed at TSA checkpoints, what’s going to happen when TSA agents aren’t being (legally) documented by the public?

Here’s another area of concern: The TSA now also operates at bus stations, highways, and even the occasional suburban community. In other words, I would expect that a camera ban wouldn’t be only at airports, because the TSA operates all over the place.

Furthermore, I would expect that if the TSA bans the use of cameras, many other government agencies would follow suit. Already, some law enforcement agencies have banned cameras and film crews — usually after someone recorded the police doing something wrong.

Other recent news about the TSA:
Developmentally disabled man harrassed by TSA at Detroit airport: A doctor reports that his developmentally disabled son was harrassed and traumatized by the Detroit airport TSA screeners, who wanted to investigate the “puffiness” caused by his adult diaper. They man, who is described as having the mental capacity of a two-year-old, also lost a beloved toy (a plastic hammer) because the TSA claimed it could be used as a weapon. The family was on their way to Walt Disney World.
More here: ‘TSA agents take 6″ plastic hammer from mentally disabled man’…

Big Sis: No ‘logic’ in profiling Muslim men under age of 35…

RELATED POST (speaking of ‘no logic’): TSA agent confiscates nail clippers; lets assault rifles, pistols, and machine guns pass…