not legal to take pictures in the villages

[jaringg]

I have been advised by John Rohan that"We have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed. "
Can this be true??? I was taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS to exercise in the pool at Hemingway. 1 person who was at the pool sent an email to rohan and said I was "harassing her" by taking video.

[Dan9871]

In the USA on public property you can photograph anyone you want. However on non-public property the owner can restrict what you can photograph. There is really very little public property in the Villages (maybe most of the roads) so he is probably right.

[Railcruiser]

That's funny because the sheriffs department told me to take pictures of the lady who's dog attacked my dogs a few months ago. They said they cannot do anything unless they see the dogs loose and that if I see her to take pictures. By the way she still lets her dogs loose. Although the dogs knocked me to the ground and bruised me there was no skin broken so they don't consider it an attack.

[ureout]

I have been advised by John Rohan that"We have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed. "
Can this be true??? I was taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS to exercise in the pool at Hemingway. 1 person who was at the pool sent an email to rohan and said I was "harnessing her" by taking video.

the daily sun shows pictures all the time of villagers... I know they don't go up and get consent to do so

[Taltarzac725]

That's funny because the sheriffs department told me to take pictures of the lady who's dog attacked my dogs a few months ago. They said they cannot do anything unless they see the dogs loose and that if I see her to take pictures. By the way she still lets her dogs loose. Although the dogs knocked me to the ground and bruised me there was no skin broken so they don't consider it an attack.

There are many exceptions. Mainly you cannot use someone else's image to sell something and there are invasion of privacy considerations too. These apply especially to kids and celebrities. Really be careful with celebrities' kids.

[graciegirl]

I have been advised by John Rohan that"We have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed. "
Can this be true??? I was taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS to exercise in the pool at Hemingway. 1 person who was at the pool sent an email to rohan and said I was "harnessing her" by taking video.

I think there is more to this story.

I cannot imagine anyone, including John Rohan, telling a Villager to not take pictures here in The Villages unless there were other factors involved. OP started another thread last week with a vague questions about " is anyone having trouble with the recreation department".


https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/run-ins-recreation-dept-241386/


John Rohan is a reasonable man with a long positive history working for the Morses.

[Fred R]

How does someone "harness" someone?

[perrjojo]

the daily sun shows pictures all the time of villagers... I know they don't go up and get consent to do so
Actually they do ask and they tell you that your photo may be in the paper.

[Sandtrap328]

I have been advised by John Rohan that"We have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed. "
Can this be true??? I was taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS to exercise in the pool at Hemingway. 1 person who was at the pool sent an email to rohan and said I was "harnessing her" by taking video.


It sounds as though that person who complained to Rohan knows you - otherwise how would Rohan know it was you taking video so he could advise you not to do it anymore ?

Did that person advise you at the time of the video that she did not want you to include her in your video?

Is there any history between you and the person who complained? If so, it may have been wise not to take videos when she was in the same area of the pool.

[Sandtrap328]

///

[Taltarzac725]

Legal Issues in Photographing People | (https://www.pcblawfirm.com/legal-issues-photographing-people/)

This might be of interest. Just for educational purposes and this is for Missouri.

[jaringg]

would you like to see his email chain?

[pauld315]

would you like to see his email chain?

Not really...I see the link between the 2 topics you started that Grace reminded us of.

[JoMar]

Makes you question the agenda of the OP.

[CFrance]

I would like to see the email chain, lest we jump to conclusions. A poster suggested there's more to the story, and OP responded. He could have explained, but maybe the email chain would provide more information. Let's let him prove his story. MHO.

[PennBF]

Did Rohan really make the decision and judgements regarding taking pictures in the Villages.? He has no legal authority to make legal decisions and would imply he has stepped a little beyond his authority. I don't like to hear that some employees in The Villages have reached a point where they believe they are able to render legal judgements regarding the residents. They should leave that to the law and stay with managing their particular responsibilites. :ohdear::ohdear:

[rubicon]

would you like to see his email chain?

I am of the same mind as CFrance. I do not draw judgment on anyone. However I would like to know what created this flashpoint?

i could understand an objection if a person was videotaping The Villages for commercial purposes.
Also it begs the question of what is the legal relationship of residents to CDD amenities especially since they are paying monthly amenity fees for their use.

So is a resident forbidden to take a picture of his foursome on an executive course or family members and guests? ..................

Personal Best Regards:

[Carl in Tampa]

In the USA on public property you can photograph anyone you want. However on non-public property the owner can restrict what you can photograph. There is really very little public property in the Villages (maybe most of the roads) so he is probably right.
:agree:

On property owned by The Villages, they can direct you not to take photographs. If you persist, they can ask the police to arrest you for trespass. However, absent a complaint, I don't see them doing this. I'm sure hundreds of photos and videos are taken at the Town Squares every evening.

Videos are a more touchy subject. Florida law forbids recording audio of a person talking without the permission of all parties to the conversation. But again, absent a complaint, I don't see police taking action in this area.

I suspect that the OP and the complainant in this story already had a history of some kind of conflict.

[Gerald]

Did you know that there are photo clubs in the villages. Several in fact. They do take photos in the villages. Being a professional photographer I can tell you that there are laws that cover privacy . You might want to look up the real laws not the ones people are saying and suggesting here.

[redwitch]

I have been in activities where photographs were being taken. I always ask that my picture not be taken and, if taken accidentally, it not be posted anywhere. I've never had a problem and, so far as I know, people have respected my requests. There are reasons, physical, mental and safety, for someone to request their picture not be taken and it would be absolutely inexcusable to not honor that request.

As to John Rohan giving a legal opinion about photographing others, he did not give a legal opinion nor did he recite the law. According to the post, he stated that legal counsel gave that opinion.

[Bogie Shooter]

I think there is more to this story.

I cannot imagine anyone, including John Rohan, telling a Villager to not take pictures here in The Villages unless there were other factors involved. OP started another thread last week with a vague questions about " is anyone having trouble with the recreation department".


https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/run-ins-recreation-dept-241386/


John Rohan is a reasonable man with a long positive history working for the Morses.

So there you go....this guy has a problem.

[justjim]

I have been advised by John Rohan that"We have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed. "
Can this be true??? I was taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS to exercise in the pool at Hemingway. 1 person who was at the pool sent an email to rohan and said I was "harassing her" by taking video.

Did you let Mr. Rohan know what the situation was and what, if any, was his response? Just curious how Mr. Rohan contacted you----via Email or Phone call or letter or some other way. Interesting.........

[ditka41]

Does this mean that if I should ever get a hole-in-one, my partners can not take a photo of the great event? -----Sure hope they keep photographing entries to our gates. It's not much for "security", but better than nothing.

[Taltarzac725]

Does this mean that if I should ever get a hole-in-one, my partners can not take a photo of the great event? -----Sure hope they keep photographing entries to our gates. It's not much for "security", but better than nothing.

If you gave them permission and they do not use it against your wishes for some kind of commercial enterprise; its probably OK.

[Barefoot]

I have been in activities where photographs were being taken. I always ask that my picture not be taken and, if taken accidentally, it not be posted anywhere. I've never had a problem and, so far as I know, people have respected my requests. There are reasons, physical, mental and safety, for someone to request their picture not be taken and it would be absolutely inexcusable to not honor that request.
:agree:

[Madelaine Amee]

I have been in activities where photographs were being taken. I always ask that my picture not be taken.

Agree completely. Unfortunately, in this day and age, you have no idea where your picture might end up! I'd hate to think we were on a "fat old ladies in the swimming pool" social media site and it could well happen.

Some years ago we were visiting our son for Christmas. He had invited a new to the church family to join us for Christmas dinner. They seemed to be very nice people, husband and wife and teen aged son. During the dinner I noticed the son "playing" with something under the table, later when we were playing a card game it became obvious that he was video taping everyone at the table and also recording everything we were saying. I was very annoyed and asked him to stop taping our family Christmas. His parents said "oh he takes photos everywhere and puts them on his face book for his friends to see". Really, so somewhere out there in cyber space is a video of a family group having more fun than they should have playing cards!

At one time I would never have taken any notice of being photographed, but times have changed and respect for others has gone.

[Taltarzac725]

Agree completely. Unfortunately, in this day and age, you have no idea where your picture might end up! I'd hate to think we were on a "fat old ladies in the swimming pool" social media site and it could well happen.

Some years ago we were visiting our son for Christmas. He had invited a new to the church family to join us for Christmas dinner. They seemed to be very nice people, husband and wife and teen aged son. During the dinner I noticed the son "playing" with something under the table, later when we were playing a card game it became obvious that he was video taping everyone at the table and also recording everything we were saying. I was very annoyed and asked him to stop taping our family Christmas. His parents said "oh he takes photos everywhere and puts them on his face book for his friends to see". Really, so somewhere out there in cyber space is a video of a family group having more fun than they should have playing cards!

At one time I would never have taken any notice of being photographed, but times have changed and respect for others has gone.

I am always interested in the intent of why someone posts pictures and the like on Facebook and elsewhere. Sometimes these are bullying, harassing or done with the worst of intentions. It is best to keep your guard up when someone is taking pictures or videos.

I remember looking at some Christmas lights and having a Villages Daily Sun photographer George H., ask me and a neighbor to pose in front of the lights while smiling and acting friendly. My neighbors are great but you never know when someone will take offense. Her husband was around the corner looking at some other house's lights. He would have been amused by the picture but another guy might see things differently.

The Villages Daily Sun did not publish the picture. I had given them unspoken permission by posing with my neighbor but the expression on my face might have said something else. And I knew George H., from a Memorial Day 2007 article that Villages Daily Sun reporter Gary Corsair had done on me and my efforts to get the Florida Victim Services Directory linked to the Marion, Lake and Sumter County Public Library web-pages. Mr. George H., had taken the accompanying photo.

[Ooper]

Actually they do ask and they tell you that your photo may be in the paper.

Not true! My picture has been in the paper numerous times over the last 15 years. Short of asking my name, there was never any indication or permission asked that it was going to be in the paper. These pictures were not taken in public places but within structures owned by The Villages.

[EPutnam1863]

I would like to be able to go to a pool, thus exposing some of my 76-yr old body without anyone taking photos or video to send around the world.

[autumnspring]

I have been advised by John Rohan that"We have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed. "
Can this be true??? I was taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS to exercise in the pool at Hemingway. 1 person who was at the pool sent an email to rohan and said I was "harassing her" by taking video.

You might want to contact one of those legal radio talk shows-there is one on 96.5 FM. I expect with posting on the internet it has now become far more complex.

I would expect at the pool with people in bathing suits it would also get more complex.

PRIVACY is something we have lost with the internet.

[NYGUY]

I have been advised by John Rohan that"We have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed. "
Can this be true??? I was taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS to exercise in the pool at Hemingway. 1 person who was at the pool sent an email to rohan and said I was "harassing her" by taking video.

I am not sure how true any of this is, but my reaction would be....who cares!

[ColdNoMore]

,,/,,

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

In the USA on public property you can photograph anyone you want. However on non-public property the owner can restrict what you can photograph. There is really very little public property in the Villages (maybe most of the roads) so he is probably right.

Are you saying that the pools, rec centers, golf courses etc are not public property?

I'd be surprised to find that to be true. Maybe we need a court case to decide that.

[photo1902]

Are you saying that the pools, rec centers, golf courses etc are not public property?

I'd be surprised to find that to be true. Maybe we need a court case to decide that.

Of course they're not public property.

[graciegirl]

///

[CFrance]

This attitude is a divide between this country. If a person breaks the rules by choice, then he deserves to be put in handcuffs. (Someone could have pulled up his drawers.)

I think you were offended when the word Kool-Aid was used as a descriptor for people who believed the sales pitch, swallowed an ideology whole etc. I think you said it was insensitive to all the people who died in the cult.

We are not furthering kindness by too much political correctness, we are shackling free speech and discussion and discouraging common sense.

This guy should not have peed on the church steps when he was drunk.(Rapscallion said that is what he did) He got arrested. His choice was made when he took that first drink that led him to his poor choice. He ended up with his pants to his knees in a public place. Unless he was mentally impaired, he got what he deserved. Peeing on public places isn't allowed. It is a reasonable rule. He broke it. Now he sits there looking foolish.

If I had been there in person I would not have laughed at him. You know me better than that, Red.
Doesn't make it okay to make fun of another person, IMO.

[ColdNoMore]

Doesn't make it okay to make fun of another person, IMO.


I couldn't :agree: more. :thumbup:

[Moderator]

The original topic was about legality of taking pictures within The Villages. The thread has veered off into a more generic discussion with some controversial images/replies.

Please return to the original topic related specifically to policy within TV or the thread will be closed.

Moderator

[graciegirl]

I have been advised by John Rohan that"We have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed. "
Can this be true??? I was taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS to exercise in the pool at Hemingway. 1 person who was at the pool sent an email to rohan and said I was "harassing her" by taking video.

What happened exactly that seems to have you upset with the rec department in general? I am not clear as to what exactly happened. Did an onlooker report that you were filming someone in the pool? How did John Rohan know it was YOU to send you an email?? We are missing some important information here. He said. He said. She said.

You appear to have issues with the rec department in the other thread about using neighborhood pools to do group exercise. What happened exactly and how did it happen in this most recent event that deals with photographs on Villages property and John Rohan? We can't figure out exactly what occurred. Parts are missing.

[EnglishJW]

Actually they do ask and they tell you that your photo may be in the paper.

That was our experience with the Daily Sun.

[jaringg]

I was at the pool taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS do exercise. A neighborhood person who has issues with my wife, complained to Rohan that I was harassing her !
That was followed by Rohan's email stating about the it not being legal to take photo or video "we have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed"
That is not what the Florida statute says when there other people viable.

[Bonny]

Some friends were at Eaton Beach and took a picture and posted it on Facebook.
Behind them standing on the steps were some other friends of mine not expecting to be in a picture and it wasn't very flattering to say the least.
These friends did not know the others.
I felt kind of bad for them.

[graciegirl]

I was at the pool taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS do exercise. A neighborhood person who has issues with my wife, complained to Rohan that I was harassing her !
That was followed by Rohan's email stating about the it not being legal to take photo or video "we have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed"
That is not what the Florida statute says when there other people viable.

It sounds like "the neighborhood person who has issues with your wife" must have said something other than you were taking a video of someone in the pool with MS.

Someone said or did something that is not being reported in this narrative. And it is integral to the
story.

There is some missing information somewhere. I have lived long enough to know that.

John Rohan did not work in the job he has for as long as he has, overseen umpteen recreation centers and recreation activities and had thousands of interactions with people over the years with not a whisper of any negative that I have heard in the ten years I have been hanging around The Villages. Nothing negative reported on this Forum either and believe me there have been thousands and thousands of posts unhappy about something. So I am guessing whatever happened is not because of John Rohan.

[smkharp@me.com]

I saw a clip of myself dancing on the square in The Villages promo video on their website. Nobody asked my permission. I found it when I opened the Vmail message.

[graciegirl]

I saw a clip of myself dancing on the square in The Villages promo video on their website. Nobody asked my permission. I found it when I opened the Vmail message.

? Were you dancing pretty???

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Wow. This has delayed the debut of my photo journalism website, Comb Overs and Hair Pieces of The Villages.

[dbussone]

Wow. This has delayed the debut of my photo journalism website, Comb Overs and Hair Pieces of The Villages.



If I'm in it, you are in deep trouble. [emoji41]


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[dewilson58]

I have been advised by John Rohan that"We have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed. "
Can this be true??? I was taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS to exercise in the pool at Hemingway. 1 person who was at the pool sent an email to rohan and said I was "harassing her" by taking video.

News at 11.

[Carl in Tampa]

I have been in activities where photographs were being taken. I always ask that my picture not be taken and, if taken accidentally, it not be posted anywhere. I've never had a problem and, so far as I know, people have respected my requests. There are reasons, physical, mental and safety, for someone to request their picture not be taken and it would be absolutely inexcusable to not honor that request.

As to John Rohan giving a legal opinion about photographing others, he did not give a legal opinion nor did he recite the law. According to the post, he stated that legal counsel gave that opinion.

Alas, if you go out in public your photograph is taken repeatedly throughout the day. Your photo is taken virtually every time your car drives through a Villages gate. Many, if not most, traffic signals on the major roadways around The Villages have video cameras constantly taking photos of vehicles, and their drivers and passengers.

When you go into shops there are often hidden cameras used to detect shoplifters. There are almost always cameras overlooking the cash registers in stores and the exit doors so that they can photograph armed robbers leaving the stores.

If you venture into any of The Villages' three Town Squares, you enter into range of video cameras that are constantly sending the pictures onto the Internet.

And, certainly, if you enter a Town Square during the entertainment period you are going to have your picture incidentally taken by people who are taking video of their friends, relatives, or even of strangers who are dancing.

It is true that if you observe someone taking your photo, you can approach them and ask them not to do so, or not to publish the photo, but you have no legal method of preventing them from doing it.

If you call the police, they will tell you it is a civil matter. If you get The Villages management involved, all they can do is ask the police to have the photographer leave the premises. This does not retrieve or destroy the photos.

Now you understand the reason that many famous people, and particularly movie stars, despise the paparazzi.

[billlaur]

if I'm walking down canal street headed near sumter landing on the side walk, I can take video of anything I can see.Since I am on public property.
The squares are also public.

Rec Centers ,pools to get in you need an I D,so I believe they are private.....
Hows that sound?

[Bowtorc]

You have to be kidding! Take the pictures

[Nucky]

If you don't like the picture being taken do like they did in the old day's. Grab the camera, rip out the film throw the camera and the film on the ground and throw a couple of hundred bucks down also. It worked for Sonny in The Godfather.

[billlaur]

there are no expectations of privacy when in public..:pepper2:

[Rapscallion St Croix]

there are no expectations of privacy when in public..:pepper2:

Sad, but true, in some places. In Georgia, upskirt photography (http://www.cbsnews.com/news/georgia-appeals-court-upskirting-is-legal/)has been declared legal. Other state supreme courts have also found this practice to be legal.

[dbussone]

if I'm walking down canal street headed near sumter landing on the side walk, I can take video of anything I can see.Since I am on public property.

The squares are also public.



Rec Centers ,pools to get in you need an I D,so I believe they are private.....

Hows that sound?



Actually, the squares are not public. They are private. The next time you go to an event look for barricades surrounding the square. They define the area that is private property.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[graciegirl]

My money's on John Rohan.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Actually, the squares are not public. They are private. The next time you go to an event look for barricades surrounding the square. They define the area that is private property.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

They may be private property, but they are open to the public, the same as the parking lot of a mall. I don't think that the term out in public, in this sense means on public property.

[Carl in Tampa]

Actually, the squares are not public. They are private. The next time you go to an event look for barricades surrounding the square. They define the area that is private property.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

Correct. However, The Villages has not announced a ban on photography on The Villages property.

And, if they did, it would be incumbent upon them to set up a method of enforcing the ban. What would you propose? Banning possession of cell phones on The Villages property?

The police could not become involved until a person violated the ban, at which time the police could come to the scene and direct the person to leave the property. Refusal could result in arrest for trespassing. Compliance would result in no arrest, and the photos already taken could not be seized or destroyed.

I am not convinced that the barricades actually define the area that is private property since they close off certain roadways approaching the squares, and I was under the impression that all roadways in The Villages are public roads. I am thinking in particular of Spanish Springs when they have car shows.

[photo1902]

Correct. However, The Villages has not announced a ban on photography on The Villages property.

And, if they did, it would be incumbent upon them to set up a method of enforcing the ban. What would you propose? Banning possession of cell phones on The Villages property?

The police could not become involved until a person violated the ban, at which time the police could come to the scene and direct the person to leave the property. Refusal could result in arrest for trespassing. Compliance would result in no arrest, and the photos already taken could not be seized or destroyed.

I am not convinced that the barricades actually define the area that is private property since they close off certain roadways approaching the squares, and I was under the impression that all roadways in The Villages are public roads. I am thinking in particular of Spanish Springs when they have car shows.

Although it has nothing to do with taking photos, how then is it legal to drink in public while walking around town squares if they're not public?

[dbussone]

Correct. However, The Villages has not announced a ban on photography on The Villages property.



And, if they did, it would be incumbent upon them to set up a method of enforcing the ban. What would you propose? Banning possession of cell phones on The Villages property?



The police could not become involved until a person violated the ban, at which time the police could come to the scene and direct the person to leave the property. Refusal could result in arrest for trespassing. Compliance would result in no arrest, and the photos already taken could not be seized or destroyed.



I am not convinced that the barricades actually define the area that is private property since they close off certain roadways approaching the squares, and I was under the impression that all roadways in The Villages are public roads. I am thinking in particular of Spanish Springs when they have car shows.



I'm not proposing anything, merely commenting. The Villages uses the barriers to close off roads, but also to define its private property upon which no flyers or other materials may be distributed or used for solicitation. At least that is my interpretation of what I have been told by the powers that be. I'll ask again and update if I find out I'm incorrect. (It would not be the first time.)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Sandtrap328]

I was at the pool taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS do exercise. A neighborhood person who has issues with my wife, complained to Rohan that I was harassing her !
That was followed by Rohan's email stating about the it not being legal to take photo or video "we have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed"
That is not what the Florida statute says when there other people viable.

The problem was that you shouldn't have been taking video when the woman whom your wife has issues with was in the area. Steer clear of such situations! It is common sense.

If that woman believed you were videoing her against her will, she had every right to complain.

As for Rohan's statement, he was covering the Villages with a stock answer.

No problem. Just make sure you are not in the vicinity of anyone that you have issues when videoing - or if someone says they do not want to be on your video - be a good guy and erase it - and apologize.

[graciegirl]

I was at the pool taking video of my wife helping her friend who has MS do exercise. A neighborhood person who has issues with my wife, complained to Rohan that I was harassing her !
That was followed by Rohan's email stating about the it not being legal to take photo or video "we have received confirmation from our legal counsel videotaping and photographing others without their consent is not allowed"
That is not what the Florida statute says when there other people viable.

Maybe if you told us why you are upset with the recreation department it would help. Does it have to do with the chairlift in the pool? It is confusing to be asked our opinion when we don't know what is really the issue.