National Geographic Photographer Arrested Taking Photos Of Kansas Feedlot

[marmar]

A freelance photographer working for National Geographic was arrested on a charge of misdemeanor criminal trespassing in Garden City, Kan., The Associated Press reports.

George Steinmetz, a New Jersey-based aerial photographer, was taking pictures of a feedlot outside Garden City from a paraglider prior to his June 28 arrest with paraglider instructor Wei Zhang. They were held briefly at Finney County jail and each was released on $270 bond.

The Huffington Post reached out to Steinmetz, who would not comment on the advice of his attorney. Steinmetz's work has also appeared in The New Yorker, Smithsonian magazine and in February was featured on NBC's "Today" show. Steinmetz often works from a motorized paraglider, a lightweight machine with a small engine and parachute that he assembles.

Finney Country Sheriff Kevin Bascue told AP the two men were charged because they didn't have permission to take off from private property and hadn't told anyone they intended to take photos. Calls by The Huffington Post to Finney County attorney Susan Richmeier for further explanation were not immediately returned. ........................(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/11/george-steinmetz-arrested-feedlot_n_3575593.html?ncid=txtlnkushpmg00000037&ir=Politics

[mainer]

1. It's now considered trespassing if you're in a paraglider?

I didn't know that cattle feedlots also owned the skies.

[FSogol]

3. "the two men were charged because they didn't have permission to take off from private property"

[Fumesucker]

8. "and hadn't told anyone they intended to take photos."

[FSogol]

14. Still, just another misleading Huffpost headline intended to stir up outrage.

[Fumesucker]

16. I thought photography was a good thing these days

Photos and video can be used to catch criminals, these guys were providing a public service.

If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear, I heard that somewhere once.

[FSogol]

19. When 2 dudes are in your backyard taking photos, let us know how you feel.

[WovenGems]

21. When

your house is in the middle of a feed lot let me know you feel. And how the cows feel. Thanks.

[aggiesal]

28. They should have used a . . .

DRONE.

Those apparently are legal!
At least by the gov'ment

[Lasher]

13. Air rights.

...any pilot can fly any aircraft as low as he or she wants, subject to the requirement of maintaining a 500-foot (150 m) distance from people and man-made structures except for purposes of takeoff and landing, and not causing any hazard.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_rights

The part about takeoff and landing trumps air rights of those living near airports, according to the Wiki article.

[Zoeisright]

33. Ag gag laws.

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/terrible-price-ag-gag-laws-article-1.1346292

[PATRICK]

2. What other countries

or hotspots have caused National Geo not to film there or get stopped or arrested or shot at? It might be against their own diplomatic interest for the sake of future access for themselves to have a grudge list but it might exist somewhere. Exclude war zones although I think they covered some of those too. North Korea?

[yesphan]

4. Well, we are a nation

of laws. Lots and lots and lots of laws.

[Kali]

5. wonder if that will apply to drones?

[xchrom]

6. du rec.

[southernyankeebelle]

7. Why are they afraid of someone taking pictures? What are they hiding is my question.

[GreenStormCloud]

9. The were arrested for trespass.

The place they took off from was private property. Article doesn't say that the reason for arrest was taking pictures. Once you are in the air, you can take all the pictures you want of what is below you. Just like you can take all the pictures you want from a public street.

[Fumesucker]

17. The Sheriff says that photography was part of the reason they were arrested

Or at least failing to inform someone, anyone they intend to indulge in photography.

From the OP.

Finney Country Sheriff Kevin Bascue told AP the two men were charged because they didn't have permission to take off from private property and hadn't told anyone they intended to take photos.

[southernyankeebelle]

25. Well it is obvious they knew they were there in the first place. Why didn't they go question

them as to why they were on the property? Wondering.

[Fumesucker]

10. If you have nothing to hide you have nothing to fear

I heard that somewhere once.

[southernyankeebelle]

26. I totally agree with you.

[leftyohiolib]

30. yea i hate that line of thinking also. i have nothing to hide but that doesnt mean i want

the government or anyone keeping track of what i do and where i go

[Fumesucker]

32. I noticed that the same people who evidently think this was a good bust

Seem to be the ones who also tell us that if you have nothing to hide then you have nothing to fear from government surveillance.

[handmade34]

11. too many

people and companies with too much to hide... a couple years back I was accosted by security for taking pictures near an oil refinery in Louisiana

[pipoman]

12. Maybe they should have gotten permission

to take off from that private property. National Geo people don't get to go and do as they please any more than anyone else..

[xtraxritical]

23. The question is, is the property owner going to press charges?

Most property owners don't care if you cause no damage and leave only footprints behind.

[Warpy]

31. I'm wondering just how private that property was

For instance, was it posted? Or was it just land with a convenient rock outcrop to take off from that is owned by an absentee and not posted?

This is just not likely to stand up in court.

[Heidi]

15. Kick!

[sbh]

18. And yet Google Maps can take pictures of our property from satelites or roaming vehicles.

I wonder if they'd arrest a driver of a Google Maps truck, or impound a satelite for that matter. This is just over the top.

[xtraxritical]

24. Excelent point and corporations are people too, I understand.

[sbh]

34. And yet we can't legally take pictures of rampant animal abuse on factory farms.

[MuseRider]

20. I may be wrong

and if I can find out for certain I will update but I don't think the real reason for arrest was because of taking off without permission. I believe there is a law here in Kansas now that does not allow you to take photos of farms or feedlots etc. because those photos can be used for "terrorists" or just to show people how badly the feedlots for their food are run.

I don't have a clue but living here and hearing things that would be my best guess, it was certainly my only guess.

[lpbk2713]

22. Florida passed a law making it a 1st degree felony to take pics of any agricultural activity.

Link: http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2011/1246/BillText/Filed/HTML


The real reason ... so that farmers could do what thet want without having to worry
about those pesky PETA types and so they could abuse work undocumented workers
(and their children) however they wanted to.

[Sanity Claws]

27. Maybe the cows had modeling contracts

and the photographer failed to pay the modeling fees.

That makes about as much sense as the story that was reported.

[KansDem]

29. With the stipulations spelled out in black and white

Yeah, I know...udder nonsense.