I occasionally take random photos of things I find interesting, strange, cool, or just catch my eye. Such as Chicago’s Roosevelt Metra station, this frightening U-haul, or a crap filled Target. As is the motto of Rob at Cockeyed.com “Always have your camera.”

On Tuesday, February 12th, my two co-workers and I were driving up Monaco Street in southeast Denver to lunch. At 6460 East Yale I saw this little Safeway gas station. I had never seen one before - and for some reason was fascinated that it looked just like a “BIG” Safeway. I found this structure cute in a Christmas village elf like way: The design, windows, overhang, and trim are identical to a full scale Safeway - and the disproportionate letters and logo give it an even more miniature appearance. Yes I’m a dork. I realize its just a friggen gas station, and that would have been the sum of this post. Except for what followed:

To appease my elation co-worker M.P. pulled in for gas, allowing me to step out to take a few shots. As I scouted out a good angle employee A.J. walked up to me, blocked me by standing in FRONT of me, and tersely asked what exactly I was doing. I didn’t stop to converse, but said that I just liked the building and thought it was interesting.

He became agitated at my bland answer, and I then realized that if I continued I would most likely face harassment by doing something as benign as taking a few snapshots of a gas station - the same harassment occasionally faced by those who enjoy photographing more majestic objects like bridges, airliners, and trains. Quickly processing this I then realized that in an attempt to block the sun I was actually standing on the CURB of the street, just OFF of Safeway’s lot on public property. Now it was clearly a non-issue.

Meanwhile A.J. walked back into the mini-me Safeway. I wrapped up and walked to the car as M.P. finished pumping his gas. As he started the car A.J. walked up to me on the passenger side, just after making a show of writing down my friend’s license plate number. He said that he had just spoken with his security officer (inside the “big people” Safeway I presumed,) and demanded that I delete my photos or he would confiscate my cell phone. I politely and firmly said “No. My photos were taken from the street. And while I don’t need to explain or have reason for taking photos my intentions are not nefarious.”

A.J. then said since I was not cooperating with his requests he would be forced to call the police. Um, yeah…

Hi, Denver police - some guy is taking pictures of our Safeway gas shack. Please hurry.

My other co-worker in the back seat couldn’t contain his laughter anymore, and I finally said “Go ahead and call the police. I can take a photo of any goddam thing I want from public property including you, your gas station, the sky, a bird, and your mom. Good Day.” We drove off, and thankfully there was no further escalation. As of today, February 13th, the police have not contacted my friend M.P.

This unexpected event gave us a charge jolly for the rest of the afternoon - but it bothers me that someone would actually THINK that they could prohibit one from taking photos on a PUBLIC sidewalk or street. I completely understand a business restricting photos WITHIN their private property. Usually this isn’t for knee-jerk security reasons, but rather to prevent collection of price data and retail design. For example if Target had told me to knock off these shenanigans I would comply without question. Another example is a gym extending their logical right to ban camera phones for the privacy of their members. And I haven’t argued yet about government restricting photography of self labeled “sensitive” areas like customs facilities or INSIDE high profile government buildings.

However no one (A.J.) should DARE tell someone they can’t stand on PUBLIC property and take a picture of a commercial establishment. General photography of airports, bridges, skyscrapers, and Safeway gas stations do NOT fall under the category of “security threats.” If I find something architecturally stimulating I’ll take a damn picture if I want to.

This morning I called Safeway and spoke with general manager Greg Burk. I asked him why on earth his employees would impede someone’s activity on adjacent PUBLIC property? And why your employee demanded that I surrender my personal property, (my camera phone,) and threatened me by calling the police?

Greg Burk was aware of my visit yesterday, and agreed that A.J. was out of line in asking I surrender my camera phone. However Greg explained that A.J. acted appropriately by considering police action, and that the security officer who authorized his actions was not aware that I was on public property. When prodded in further discussion he agreed that A.J. should not have harassed me or asked for my phone.

Greg was very courteous, and during my recorded call was generous enough to talk to me for almost 10 minutes. He gave expected rational for being AWARE of odd activity. But I explained that my “suspicious” behavior should also be balanced out by the fact that I was in a CAR, with a license plate, (which A.J. wrote down,) and my friend also used his credit card to pay for gas. Those elements would make it quite easy to track us to our evil lair. Furthermore any building detail could be easily viewed by the naked eye, or via Google Earth or Google Street View.

I told him its one thing to be AWARE of odd behavior, but another to overstep your bounds and harass and threaten a person with no legal grounds. For the most part we agreed, and I appreciate his attention.

It’s mortifying enough to photography hobbyists and enthusiasts when they’re wrongfully told by police and private security that they can’t photograph public structures like the Brooklyn Bridge or the Eisenhower Tunnel. Niche groups or buffs who enjoy studying things like roads and airplanes do not deserve harassment. When your personal hobbies and activities, however banal, are challenged and limited under the pretext of security - that’s just wrong.

Did I mention this is a gas station? Perhaps they should build a tiny Safeway jail for security threats like myself.

by James Van Dellen

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