“Faced with complaints from photographers and tourists alike, the NYPD has issued a department order reminding cops that the right to take pictures in the Big Apple is as American as apple pie. “Photography and the videotaping of public places, buildings and structures are common activities within New York City . . . and is rarely unlawful,” the NYPD operations order begins. It acknowledges that the city is a terrorist target, but since it’s a prominent “tourist destination, practically all such photography will have no connection to terrorism or unlawful conduct.” - Thomas Hawk

eventually....but they also need to pass the order down to the security guys who take care of these old buildings... remember the MOSS situtation in CA ? - Peter Dawson

They need to get this message across to the over-officious bunch over this side of the pond too. - Mark H

The security guards will soon get the message when they try to 'call the cops' to back them up on their bullying tactics and get told it is not a crime... or am I just looking through rosey glasses ;) - travispuk

yeah, my own experience has mostly been that the security guards are generally speaking a lot worse than the cops. Hopefully the security guard problem can be addressed in time as well. - Thomas Hawk

I wish more cities would issue this sort of reminder! Good for NY - hopefully this will eventually trickle down to other cities and security personnel. - Jennifer Dittrich

Amazing! Great. - Evan Travers

It's amazing when protest and complaints actually work. Great news! - Blake Caldwell

I've been accosted in the Washington DC Metro for taking photos. Curiously, I was only asked to leave...never to delete what I had taken. - Ryan Kaisoglus