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The rights of photographers are clear, no matter how much this may upset criminals and the ignorant. (But I repeat myself) Here’s a classic example. (Parents strongly cautioned.)
On September 5, 2015 we heard a knock on our door here in Herkimer. Michelle Schulze, two young female members of her household and a child in a stroller visited our home to urge us to restrain from taking photographs of children in a public area. They reside at 321 Pleasant Ave in Herkimer.
They refused to understand that NY State Law, backed by the 1st Amendment, says it’s OK to take photographs in public places. They think the law of their asphalt jungle is what goes. They were very concerned about a photo taken by my husband of the rather nice pub up the street. Within 2 minutes of his snapping the camera, they were upon us, with accusations of endangering children with our photos and hinted that we were child molesters. It’s important to note that taking photos in public places is a US Constitutional right.
Melodie Schulze Cusses Out Old Bag
Melodie Schulze, the young mom who’d brought her own young child in a stroller and stood under our security cameras, screamed that we had “touched children!” in an obscenity-laced tirade of abuse. Her first concern was obviously her child being photographed, as she brought the child with her to be photographed and recorded during her visit. 
Melodie Schulze’s harassment had nothing to do with kids, but with our surveillance cameras recording Pleasant Avenue Herkimer’s drug trafficking and her own part in it.
Drug dealers don’t make laws. Legislators do. For those who find slander and menacing a neat way to threaten their foes, time is not on their side. Patterns of previous behavior, facial recognition databases, criminal background checks, security clearances and work histories all tell a story. That story is loud and clear. Conspiring to make up heinous lies about your neighbors to suit your criminal convenience, even as a gang, is dumb.
As is our right, we will continue to take pictures in public and semi-public areas without consulting drug dealers or dubious neighbors. Please conduct private business in private. We’re not criminals, we have no criminal history. US law applies to ALL of us and the rights of photographers are clear.
Just to be clear, you don’t get to create special purpose laws that go against legitimate US laws in our country!
