Futterman
2005-07-24, 02:00 PM
After seeing Eric's shots from the Frank M. Charles Memorial Park, our modest group of 4 spotters - Josh Akbar, Eric Dunetz, Shane (lear45), and myself (DannyO left earlier) - set up camp in an open passageway to the beach at the park.
We arrived there at about 4:00PM and were there for a good two hours when we realized that we were all dying of thirst. So, Josh and I packed up and headed out to CVS at 5:50. As we walked toward the exit, though, a small Park Ranger was speaking to an officer from the NY Park Police K-9 Unit in his car, who then proceeded to drive up alongside us as we walked.
"Hold on a second guys, stop right there."
It was 5:55PM.
"So what're you taking pictures of?"
I was surprised for a split second that he didn't bother asking us what our cameras were.
Josh said, "Airplanes."
"Ever since 9-11, things have changed, so I'm going to need your ID's. Are you with a group or anything?"
It continued with the usual innuendo of "who are you working for" and "why are you doing this", but remained pretty mature while we prepared an NYCA business card with all of our names. The officer took one glance at Josh's liscense and spits out this classic line:
"Hey, Josh, you know your last name is pretty suspicious, right?"
Blatant racial profiling. I now know why this officer's partner is a damn DOG.
He called our IDs in and we were cleared to go within 5 minutes. He took down our addresses and backtracked to our spot to get Eric and Shane's information as well. Eric later told us that the officer suggested we "hide in the bushes" so no one sees us.
Summary
Spotter Names: Brian Futterman, Josh Akbar, Eric Dunetz, Shane (lear45)
Airport: JFK
Location: Frank M. Charles Memorial Park
Date: 7/23/05
Start Time: 5:55PM
Duration: 5 minutes
Preemptive Course of Action: No action taken
Agency or Agencies Involved: NY Park Police K-9 Unit
Primary Officer Name: Cobaj
Badge Number: 214
Misc.: Mention of 9/11, Civilian Complaints, ID Check, Racial Profiling, Obnoxious Remarks
Case Number: None
Other Information: Park Ranger called in suspicious activity.
Brian
We arrived there at about 4:00PM and were there for a good two hours when we realized that we were all dying of thirst. So, Josh and I packed up and headed out to CVS at 5:50. As we walked toward the exit, though, a small Park Ranger was speaking to an officer from the NY Park Police K-9 Unit in his car, who then proceeded to drive up alongside us as we walked.
"Hold on a second guys, stop right there."
It was 5:55PM.
"So what're you taking pictures of?"
I was surprised for a split second that he didn't bother asking us what our cameras were.
Josh said, "Airplanes."
"Ever since 9-11, things have changed, so I'm going to need your ID's. Are you with a group or anything?"
It continued with the usual innuendo of "who are you working for" and "why are you doing this", but remained pretty mature while we prepared an NYCA business card with all of our names. The officer took one glance at Josh's liscense and spits out this classic line:
"Hey, Josh, you know your last name is pretty suspicious, right?"
Blatant racial profiling. I now know why this officer's partner is a damn DOG.
He called our IDs in and we were cleared to go within 5 minutes. He took down our addresses and backtracked to our spot to get Eric and Shane's information as well. Eric later told us that the officer suggested we "hide in the bushes" so no one sees us.
Summary
Spotter Names: Brian Futterman, Josh Akbar, Eric Dunetz, Shane (lear45)
Airport: JFK
Location: Frank M. Charles Memorial Park
Date: 7/23/05
Start Time: 5:55PM
Duration: 5 minutes
Preemptive Course of Action: No action taken
Agency or Agencies Involved: NY Park Police K-9 Unit
Primary Officer Name: Cobaj
Badge Number: 214
Misc.: Mention of 9/11, Civilian Complaints, ID Check, Racial Profiling, Obnoxious Remarks
Case Number: None
Other Information: Park Ranger called in suspicious activity.
Brian