ST Forum: Can't one take photos in MRT stations?

[eikin]

What about just standing in front of control station doing nothing but playing your PSP while waiting for your friend? They ask me to leave the station because I was loitering for more than 10 minutes near the control station (Harbour Front). I was not even taking any photographs plus I offered them to check my bag and my identification to them but they refuse but asked me to leave. I just wonder what is the purpose of having so many security cameras.

So I asked them where is the sign for "No loitering around at the control station for more than 10 minutes"? They couldn't comment on that but walk away quietly.........

So do you need permission to stand/loitering in the MRT control station for more than 10 minutes? Do they have any rights to asked me to leave the station when they could clearly see me I was standing playing my PSP quietly and not loitering. Plus, I was not the only one at the station standing more than 10 minutes.

If all MRT stations were to put up such signs as no photography, no loitering, no eating and so on, some people may follow it but even if they do put up do they have the absolute rights to detain you if you break the regulation?

Any comments on that?

well, who owns the MRT stations?

if you think the MRT staff have done something illegal against you, like what some people say, no need to spend money, just call police lor. :bsmilie:

but remember, as much as it's your rights to call the police, it's also their rights to call the police, so all call police come down and settle best.

btw just to add, i think there's no need to bring up questions about rights just because you were asked to move away after loitering around the station control for some time. it's just plain common sense that they want to keep the traffic around the area smooth and clear, and you've just made it difficult for them.

 

[vince123123]

Of course I would if it happened to me, you are stating the obvious.

And, I beliee that the public are putting blame on SMRT in cases where suicide is not apparent, ie it could have been an accident that the person fell on the tracks. Are you 100% certain that 100% of all cases are suicide cases?

singaporeans go after everything, this thread is a living example. committing suicide is also a personal affair, why did the public put blames on SMRT for not being alert enough or not having preventive measures?

if that is the case, then go ahead and call the police.

 

[vince123123]

indeed, they have made it clear that permission is required. and i wonder why there aren't signs to say so, they need to improve on this by putting up signs.

since when did SMRT says that their staff have legal jurisdiction outside their MRT station amongst others? or is it your imagination that they are doing so?

This, as well as other anectodal accounts of SMRT people trying to stop photographs OUTSIDE their station. Just read the posts carefully above before you shoot from the hip, once again.

As part of our security measures, we do not allow people to take pictures within our MRT stations or of our MRT stations without prior permission. People who wish to take pictures or videos of our MRT stations or who are taking pictures or videos from the MRT station are required to inform our station staff.

Man, just FYI, I had a bad exp in City Hall Station. I was taking some pics in front (OUTSIDE STATION) of St Andrew Cathedral MRT entrance.

MRT staff still bugging me asking this and that, station manager came out, wanted me to show pic (which I showed).

Still they ask me to go down the control station, which I refused. Boarded the bus, then station manager asked me to come to control station. What the HELL he's talking about. He has NO right to ask me. Finally I knew 2 women reported me, hence the trouble.

At the end they called police, and I demanded those 2 women to come along. They were coward, refusing to come along.
But finally they came as I barked at them and "heated discussion" with MRT station manager.
Spent 3 hrs in City Hall station, asked repeatedly by police, mrt staff, and the best was with the BOMB SQUAD.

Now you know, where your tax money goes to.... almost useless in this particular case.

In short : even though there's no "NO PHOTOGRAPHY" sign, the official seems have the RIGHT to bully everyone as they please.

 

[eikin]

This, as well as other anectodal accounts of SMRT people trying to stop photographs OUTSIDE their station. Just read the posts carefully above before you shoot from the hip, once again.

personally i've been asked to be checked for the equipment i carry myself at some stations a couple of times, in all cases the staff have been polite and respectful with no trouble at all.

i can only say things work both ways, if you want to blow things up, things will blow up for you, or blow you up. what we've read are all one sided accounts, we don't know how these persons have reacted, their seemingly violent/uncooperative reactions could very well have triggered what came after them. that's just too bad.

you seem to have a wierd interest in painting a bad image of SMRT staff, treating them like hideous bogeymen always ready to come after you. i hope you don't belong to the group of population who need to use the SMRT trains daily, if not i cannot imagine the kind of trauma you will likely experience everytime you pass by the station control. anyway if you want, go ahead and blow the whole matter up, go ahead and challenge them. as far as i see, it's just a couple of people trying to stir storms in a teacup.

 

[eikin]

Of course I would if it happened to me, you are stating the obvious.

And, I beliee that the public are putting blame on SMRT in cases where suicide is not apparent, ie it could have been an accident that the person fell on the tracks. Are you 100% certain that 100% of all cases are suicide cases?

i believe you meant you believed that. if i'm unsure, what makes you sure of your own belief? you've been talking about running some tests yourself, why don't you go demonstrate with your actions? that'll be the best education you can give to all those who have been unnecessarily ''bullied'' :devil:

 

[TMC]

someone get me the popcorn and coke please.

 

[schon]

someone get me the popcorn and coke please.

here you go bro, no popcorn nor coke though. :cheers:

 

[eikin]

someone get me the popcorn and coke please.

you should opt for snacks with lower cholesterol, don't spoil your health over it :angel:

 

[Godzilla Invades]

well, who owns the MRT stations?

if you think the MRT staff have done something illegal against you, like what some people say, no need to spend money, just call police lor. :bsmilie:

but remember, as much as it's your rights to call the police, it's also their rights to call the police, so all call police come down and settle best.

btw just to add, i think there's no need to bring up questions about rights just because you were asked to move away after loitering around the station control for some time. it's just plain common sense that they want to keep the traffic around the area smooth and clear, and you've just made it difficult for them.

I was not disturbing the traffic. Why would anyone stand in the middle of a busy traffic? Silly right? It's quite obvious to them I am standing away from the control station but they still approach me and asked me to leave lei. Why didn't they ask the rest standing a few feet away to leave the station too? Why only me?

It's not like I am hiding in some corner. The space I am standing itself it's big enough for me, you, and at least another 30 people. So I am not obstructing any human traffic.

Is 10 minutes too long time of the time to wait at the station?

I will not ask the police to come down. That is another silly thing to do as they are not much help to me.

I am not sure if the MRT have done something illegal against me, so that is why I posted in here to find out more.

I am questioning if they have the right to ask me to leave the station without a valid reason? Plus I am offering my identification and to check my bag but they refuse to. I did not know that you can't stand in an MRT station loitering more than 10 minutes. When did they pass that ruling on the 10 minute barrier.......???

So how?

 

[Godzilla Invades]

someone get me the popcorn and coke please.

Popcorn.......sweeten or salty ones? What size do you want? S, M, L, XL?

Coke.........diet or zero calories? Bottled or can ones? Do you need some ice?

 

[eikin]

I was not disturbing the traffic. Why would anyone stand in the middle of a busy traffic? Silly right? It's quite obvious to them I am standing away from the control station but they still approach me and asked me to leave lei. Why didn't they ask the rest standing a few feet away to leave the station too? Why only me?

It's not like I am hiding in some corner. The space I am standing itself it's big enough for me, you, and at least another 30 people. So I am not obstructing any human traffic.

Is 10 minutes too long time of the time to wait at the station?

I will not ask the police to come down. That is another silly thing to do as they are not much help to me.

I am not sure if the MRT have done something illegal against me, so that is why I posted in here to find out more.

I am questioning if they have the right to ask me to leave the station without a valid reason? Plus I am offering my identification and to check my bag but they refuse to. I did not know that you can't stand in an MRT station loitering more than 10 minutes. When did they pass that ruling on the 10 minute barrier.......???

So how?

eh, you first said you were infront of the station control, now you say you're standing away? anyway, the MRT stations have been discouraging people from waiting around station control area for quite a long time already. i wouldn't say if there's anything lawful or unlawful about your acts or the staff's acts. you know how people start to stand around the station control, they see 2 or 3 standing around they think it's ok then more and more stand around until the staff comes out to ask some to clear away.

the thing is, was the staff rude to you? if you think you've been treated badly, feedback to the company, if not write to the papers and ask the staff of the company to behave more politely. i don't see any need to dwell on 10 minutes loitering rules and such.

 

[Godzilla Invades]

eh, you first said you were infront of the station control, now you say you're standing away? anyway, the MRT stations have been discouraging people from waiting around station control area for quite a long time already. i wouldn't say if there's anything lawful or unlawful about your acts or the staff's acts. you know how people start to stand around the station control, they see 2 or 3 standing around they think it's ok then more and more stand around until the staff comes out to ask some to clear away.

the thing is, was the staff rude to you? if you think you've been treated badly, feedback to the company, if not write to the papers and ask the staff of the company to behave more politely. i don't see any need to dwell on 10 minutes loitering rules and such.

Already done the feedback to them.

Maybe I was not clear enough. I was directly in front of the control station but about 3 metres away.

Staff was rude? Well let's put it this way. The approach was not very nice.

MRT : "We notice you have been loitering here for more than 10 mins"

ME :"I am waiting for friend. I am a little early."

MRT: "Sir, you have to leave the station because you have been loitering for more than 10 mins"

ME: "But I am waiting for friend which is arriving at 9am."

MRT: "Well, you need to leave the station."

ME: "Why can't I wait in here?"

MRT : "It's our policy that no one shall loiter for more than 10 mins in a staion. Please leave the station"

ME : "There is no sign stating I cannot wait. Sorry but I am waiting for my friend."

MRT : walks away................

 

[eikin]

Already done the feedback to them.

Maybe I was not clear enough. I was directly in front of the control station but about 3 metres away.

Staff was rude? Well let's put it this way. The approach was not very nice.

MRT : "We notice you have been loitering here for more than 10 mins"

ME :"I am waiting for friend. I am a little early."

MRT: "Sir, you have to leave the station because you have been loitering for more than 10 mins"

ME: "But I am waiting for friend which is arriving at 9am."

MRT: "Well, you need to leave the station."

ME: "Why can't I wait in here?"

MRT : "It's our policy that no one shall loiter for more than 10 mins in a staion. Please leave the station"

ME : "There is no sign stating I cannot wait. Sorry but I am waiting for my friend."

MRT : walks away................

i'll just say frankly that the staff was probably going by the book, and wasn't rude to you. if you think that policy disturbs you that badly, just write to the papers. actually i pity that staff, he/she was probably quite pissed by your last reply. just give them some consideration, they are not in a favourable position to exercise much actions although given the responsibilities to man a vulnerable public space. when faced with violent reactions, what can they do except to call the police?

 

[vince123123]

I believe that I'm sure of my own belief and do not need anyone to tell me. If I'm unsure, I would ask myself and not you. You have been asking me to demonstrate with actions - do I need to prove myself to you? I have already tried on other occassions myself with an analogous situation with security guards and successfully resisted their attempts at trying to create new laws or enforce rights they do not have

I do not normally shoot MRT stations, which is why I have yet to encounter such a situation. If you wish to know the results, stage your own test - I'm pretty sure of the position in law.

You assume that I have an interest in painting SMRT in hideous light - unfortunately, your assumption is wrongly placed. I have an interest in anyone who seeks to overstep their boundaries in law, and attempt to prey on people's ignorance to try to enforce rights they do not have on them, SMRT included, as well as others falling in a similar class.

Speaking for one's rights do not have to entail blowing things up or taking a rude/violent or aggressive stance. It is easy to enforce rights even maintaining a firm and polite approach, and those who start getting violent or abusive will be the first people to face criminal sanctions.

One man's meat is another man's poison - what may be important to them may not be to you, and vice versa. I don't know why you have been consistently putting these complainants down - are you trying to paint these MRT shooting photographers in a hideous bogeymen?

personally i've been asked to be checked for the equipment i carry myself at some stations a couple of times, in all cases the staff have been polite and respectful with no trouble at all.

i can only say things work both ways, if you want to blow things up, things will blow up for you, or blow you up. what we've read are all one sided accounts, we don't know how these persons have reacted, their seemingly violent/uncooperative reactions could very well have triggered what came after them. that's just too bad.

you seem to have a wierd interest in painting a bad image of SMRT staff, treating them like hideous bogeymen always ready to come after you. i hope you don't belong to the group of population who need to use the SMRT trains daily, if not i cannot imagine the kind of trauma you will likely experience everytime you pass by the station control. anyway if you want, go ahead and blow the whole matter up, go ahead and challenge them. as far as i see, it's just a couple of people trying to stir storms in a teacup.

i believe you meant you believed that. if i'm unsure, what makes you sure of your own belief? you've been talking about running some tests yourself, why don't you go demonstrate with your actions? that'll be the best education you can give to all those who have been unnecessarily ''bullied'' :devil:

 

[madmacs]

What about just standing in front of control station doing nothing but playing your PSP while waiting for your friend? They ask me to leave the station because I was loitering for more than 10 minutes near the control station (Harbour Front). I was not even taking any photographs plus I offered them to check my bag and my identification to them but they refuse but asked me to leave. I just wonder what is the purpose of having so many security cameras.

So I asked them where is the sign for "No loitering around at the control station for more than 10 minutes"? They couldn't comment on that but walk away quietly.........

So do you need permission to stand/loitering in the MRT control station for more than 10 minutes? Do they have any rights to asked me to leave the station when they could clearly see me I was standing playing my PSP quietly and not loitering. Plus, I was not the only one at the station standing more than 10 minutes.

If all MRT stations were to put up such signs as no photography, no loitering, no eating and so on, some people may follow it but even if they do put up do they have the absolute rights to detain you if you break the regulation?

Any comments on that?

its just a show of power. so far only no eating/drinking, no smoking, no inflamables, no durians....so unless photography comes under one of those...just carry on lor. ;p

 

[hongsien]

I believe it is because of the upcoming 9/11 date that security is very tight now......we may have less photographic problems after that......

Just asked an old friend of mine who is now working as those security personnel (those who checks your bags etc and walk around the stations), he told me it is because of the date 9/11 coming.......it couls also be because of the seventh month

HS

 

[TMC]

as much sugar as possible, just need something to kill me now.

 

[Free Agent]

I believe as a photographer , we are like any artist .

Images are just our artistic media .

I'm shock and disturb .

Keep asking myself , wheres our right . We pay for the ride and yet we are treated like an nut . It's not about being one , its about being millions day in day out .

Why why why ...

It's all craps to have hiden rules . Put up ur board as mention by other here , then we can ask our gov to take it down again .

I, myself saw many many good street images taken from oversea transport system , search the web and you will have millions to look at , my point is clear , our way of life had to go on , putting too much restriction on our life is no good .

We should know that this place are Public places , even a kuku know that when one bad thing happen , it's not because of the images and with all the high tech things along , do you think those who wants trouble are mad enough to show off ??

Is it the best way to put an cover everytime they need to protect their themselve , I found it hard to understand why local company find it hard to apologize about something which they did not manage properly ??

Do we have any choice ??

ha yaa ... i'm just sharing and complain complain , everyone is sad about what happen la ,

 

[ahandre]

They have no right to ask you to delete your pics, nor even a right to ask you to show them the pics. They dont have a right to detain you either (if they tried to).

Again, I'll suggest asking them for their name and identification if they try to be funny with you.

If they try to manhandle or detain you forcefully, then take out your hp and start videoing, and warn them that they may be liable for wrongly restraint/confinement (both of which are criminal offences) if they persist.

By the way, why was the guy fleeing?

Dunno, I didn't bother to ask around, since I left my other half @ glutton bay :bsmilie:

 

[Godzilla Invades]

I believe as a photographer , we are like any artist .

Images are just our artistic media .

I'm shock and disturb .

Keep asking myself , wheres our right . We pay for the ride and yet we are treated like an nut . It's not about being one , its about being millions day in day out .

Why why why ...

It's all craps to have hiden rules . Put up ur board as mention by other here , then we can ask our gov to take it down again .

I, myself saw many many good street images taken from oversea transport system , search the web and you will have millions to look at , my point is clear , our way of life had to go on , putting too much restriction on our life is no good .

We should know that this place are Public places , even a kuku know that when one bad thing happen , it's not because of the images and with all the high tech things along , do you think those who wants trouble are mad enough to show off ??

Is it the best way to put an cover everytime they need to protect their themselve , I found it hard to understand why local company find it hard to apologize about something which they did not manage properly ??

Do we have any choice ??

ha yaa ... i'm just sharing and complain complain , everyone is sad about what happen la ,

Yeah and there is only one person on this thread is somewhat swimming against the current.......so many of us have encounter various security problems but he does not seem to be convince on the actions of the security personnels taking things into their own hands.

Yes they have the right to be more alert but it does not need to be during the 9/11 to be extra alert. Silly right? There is 365 days a year but only super alert during the 9/11 seems to be a silly thought.

Again if someone wants to be funny, no one can stop them.