Security Guard attempts to confiscate book...and loses - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

quadro2000 · 08-11-2004, 01:17 PM

This is a really great story. Not a news story, but from someone's LJ:

Linky

Quote:

GRRR!

Last night, on a whim, I looked up the NJ and NY phone numbers for the ACLU and put them in my phone.

This morning, they're doing bag searches again to get on the ferry. And the guy doing the searches pulls me aside and says, "Sir, I feel that I need to confiscate this book."

I pause and say, in that tone of voice that most people would recognize as meaning, "have you lost your grip completely, chuckles?": "You need to confiscate... a book."

"Yes. I feel it's inappropriate for the other people on the ferry to be exposed to it."

Now, I had the book IN MY BAG. It was not open. And while the Maiden of the Mirthless Smile is displayed as improbably proportioned, well, this is not, as far as I know, illegal to have. I mean, there was a guy carrying a copy of Maxim, and some of the women in THAT are improbably proportion. (All right, I admit: they're not wielding a huge sword and dressed in a bustier studded with human finger bones. But really.)

My response: "Well, let me call the ACLU and have them come down here, and see what they think about your attempt to confiscate a book that was not in the plain sight of others due to your feeling it's not appropriate." And I pull out my cell and start scrolling down the list - ACLU-NJ is at the top, actually, before 'Amanda' and 'ardaniel' since it sorts alphabetically.

He gets all pissy at me and says, "Don't you understand this is for your safety?"

"Confiscating someone's gun or bomb is for my safety. PErhaps confiscating someone's pocketknife or nailfile may be for my safety. What's so damn dangerous about my book?"

"It's INAPPROPRIATE!"
"That's NOT YOUR DECISION! I could be carrying a copy of Hustler in here, and it's STILL not your decision! You're looking for bombs and knifes and guns and things that hurt people, and a book that is IN MY BAG is not going to leap out of its own damn accord and HIT SOMEONE!"

The rest of the people waiting for the ferry are watching our exchange. He realizes that they're all looking at him, and that I'm winning this one in their eyes.

He lets me go on the boat.

I'm pretty sure he made notes about me, and I'll probably get more hassling later, and if I run into him again he'll probably be more of an asshole.

But I don't care. I won this one. I'll win the next one if I have to fight it.

Today I print out the Fourth Amendment and keep a copy of it in my bag.

(edit: as part of today's dedication to freedom, I'm turning off screening on this post. Which I should have done earlier, but anger adds to my dumb-ass quotient.)

I expected this story to be one of those stories where our protagonist gets his book taken, and very quietly gets on the boat. Instead, I thought this person handled this situation perfectly. He fought for his rights, conveyed them in an extremely intelligent manner, and didn't back down.

Personally, I love reading Playboy. (For the articles. I'm serious.) But I'm a wimp, and I purposely don't bring it with me on my commutes via subway or bus, because I don't want to deal with the looks/trouble that people might give me.

As a result, a lot of unread Playboys are stacking up in my room. *sigh*

Have you ever been in a ridiculous situation like this? Where an overeager security guard infringes on your rights and attempts to confiscate something that isn't doing any harm to anyone? And if you were in a situation like this...how did you handle it?

(note: I apologize if this has been covered in a previous thread. I feel like the topic might have been discussed here before, but for the life of me, I can't think of proper search terms other than "security guard" which didn't turn up much.)

Cynthetiq · 08-11-2004, 01:52 PM

nice.... yes. being an asshole does not get things done, in fact makes it even harder to get the desired goal.

well executed.

as far as security, no. I've not had them confiscate something that I could defend (nail clippers that went thru US security only to be confiscated by Bahamas security.)

But ultimately as I tell people, if you don't know your rights, people will trample all over them.

Rekna · 08-11-2004, 02:22 PM

it's already in the political forum

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...threadid=65523

Jam · 08-11-2004, 02:22 PM

i threw a slurpee at a couple of secuirity gaurds at colosus(famous players theater)

Carno · 08-11-2004, 02:39 PM

The security guard probably wanted to get that book but couldn't find it in any bookstores. Figured he could pick it up off that guy

quadro2000 · 08-11-2004, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rekna
it's already in the political forum

http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...threadid=65523

My bad. I don't check that forum regularly. Mods, if you want to lock this, go for it. Unless more people have stories of security guards acting like morons...?

billege · 08-11-2004, 04:24 PM

There are all sorts of stories about people with petty authority getting huffy. No shortage of those at all.

Give a small person a little authority and they invariably turn into a big asshole.

JStrider · 08-11-2004, 05:05 PM

sounds like a wierd book...

*runs off to look it up*

Trisk · 08-11-2004, 05:13 PM

I would have handled it exactly like this.

basmoq · 08-11-2004, 06:16 PM

very nice man, way to handle it!

Manic_Skafe · 08-12-2004, 12:11 AM

Back in highschool I wasn't allowed to bring a skateboard to school because it was considered to be "a weapon". I would've thought that they'd be a bit more concerned with the fact that I could be riding it down the hallway and running into people but aparently it's much more dangerous if used as a weapon.

About a few months ago my g/f had a talent show at her highschool (I had graduated the year before). Now there's a man who doesn't have nearlly enough to do so he unecceasirly pours his heart and soul into school events that often have nothing to do with him...To make a long story short I let him know that he needs to find something to do with himself as I'm throwing away the $5.00 salad I had just purchased from Wendy's. It sucked that I had to throw away my salad but he knew that everything I was telling him was exactly what he already knew.

I'd also like to add that this man was rude to me on several occasions - he even ID'd me for a blood drive.

In most cases I do my best to make it easy for the security guard - I've worked in retail so I see some of the shit they've gotta go through and a job like that can be really rough.

Madd · 08-12-2004, 02:11 AM

Just what i would have done. If your in the right raise your vocie just enough to get other people intrested, and hope that the embaressment gets to the other person and he backs off.

Bentley Little · 08-12-2004, 05:58 AM

I have many stories like that because I am like that guy. But I just rather comment about this: When my rights are being violated, I don't sit back and take it up the ass like a lot of Americans do. I fight back.

Hooray for this guy.

NoSoup · 08-12-2004, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bentley Little
I have many stories like that because I am like that guy. But I just rather comment about this: When my rights are being violated, I don't sit back and take it up the ass like a lot of Americans do. I fight back.

Hooray for this guy.

I don't really think that slandering Americans was really necessary, do you?

Bill O'Rights · 08-12-2004, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NoSoup
I don't really think that slandering Americans was really necessary, do you?

I don't think that was his intent. I think that what he may have meant was that a lot of Americans, especially these days, seem quick to roll over and surrender their liberties. Perhaps his choice of verbage was a little...rough, but I don't think that any harm was meant by it.

Dwayne · 08-12-2004, 11:50 AM

Guard: I attempt to confiscate your book.
Guy: I roll a reflex save
DM: You succed and dont give the book up.

Personaly I think that the only material not to be allowed read in public is material that includes hard core porn and/or graphic violence.

kutulu · 08-12-2004, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dwayne
Guard: I attempt to confiscate your book.
Guy: I roll a reflex save
DM: You succed and dont give the book up.

I'm pretty sure that is exactly how things took place.

Flyguy · 08-12-2004, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NoSoup
I don't really think that slandering Americans was really necessary, do you?

You'd be surprised man. A lot of Americans are clueless as to their rights. The average person wouldn't have a clue if they were being denied or not.

ForgottenKnight · 08-12-2004, 10:04 PM

GO HIM! That's the right way to handle it! Don't ever let anyone trample your rights, especially when it's something stupid like a book in a bag!

skier · 08-12-2004, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jam
i threw a slurpee at a couple of secuirity gaurds at colosus(famous players theater)

After reading the thought provoking posts above this one, I got caught off guard by Jam's post and coughed up some coffee laughing at this. Thanks man for an unexpected turn.

Hwed · 08-13-2004, 05:32 AM

Quote:

And I pull out my cell and start scrolling down the list - ACLU-NJ is at the top, actually, before 'Amanda' and 'ardaniel' since it sorts alphabetically.

Sounds to me like this guy's walking around with a chip on his shoulder trying to bait people into things like this.

There are two sides to every story... I'd sure like to hear the other one.

08-11-2004, 01:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	nice.... yes. being an asshole does not get things done, in fact makes it even harder to get the desired goal. well executed. as far as security, no. I've not had them confiscate something that I could defend (nail clippers that went thru US security only to be confiscated by Bahamas security.) But ultimately as I tell people, if you don't know your rights, people will trample all over them. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

08-11-2004, 02:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Carno Junkie	The security guard probably wanted to get that book but couldn't find it in any bookstores. Figured he could pick it up off that guy __________________ http://how-to-spell-ridiculous.com/

08-11-2004, 04:24 PM	#7 (permalink)
billege Watcher Location: Ohio	There are all sorts of stories about people with petty authority getting huffy. No shortage of those at all. Give a small person a little authority and they invariably turn into a big asshole. __________________ I can sum up the clash of religion in one sentence: "My Invisible Friend is better than your Invisible Friend."

08-11-2004, 05:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
JStrider Poo-tee-weet? Location: The Woodlands, TX	sounds like a wierd book... runs off to look it up __________________ -=JStrider=- ~Clatto Verata Nicto

08-11-2004, 06:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
basmoq It's a girly girl! Location: OH, USA	very nice man, way to handle it! __________________ "There's someone out there for everyone - even if you need a pickaxe, a compass, and night goggles to find them."

08-11-2004, 02:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rekna Junkie	it's already in the political forum http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthr...threadid=65523

08-11-2004, 02:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jam Junkie	i threw a slurpee at a couple of secuirity gaurds at colosus(famous players theater)

08-11-2004, 05:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Trisk Insane	I would have handled it exactly like this.

08-12-2004, 12:11 AM	#11 (permalink)
Manic_Skafe More Than You Expect Location: Queens	Back in highschool I wasn't allowed to bring a skateboard to school because it was considered to be "a weapon". I would've thought that they'd be a bit more concerned with the fact that I could be riding it down the hallway and running into people but aparently it's much more dangerous if used as a weapon. About a few months ago my g/f had a talent show at her highschool (I had graduated the year before). Now there's a man who doesn't have nearlly enough to do so he unecceasirly pours his heart and soul into school events that often have nothing to do with him...To make a long story short I let him know that he needs to find something to do with himself as I'm throwing away the $5.00 salad I had just purchased from Wendy's. It sucked that I had to throw away my salad but he knew that everything I was telling him was exactly what he already knew. I'd also like to add that this man was rude to me on several occasions - he even ID'd me for a blood drive. In most cases I do my best to make it easy for the security guard - I've worked in retail so I see some of the shit they've gotta go through and a job like that can be really rough. __________________ "Porn is a zoo of exotic animals that becomes boring upon ownership." -Nersesian

08-12-2004, 02:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
Madd Tilted Location: Melbourne	Just what i would have done. If your in the right raise your vocie just enough to get other people intrested, and hope that the embaressment gets to the other person and he backs off. __________________ Sex is not the answer. Sex is the question, yes is the answer.

08-12-2004, 05:58 AM	#13 (permalink)
Bentley Little Insane Location: In my head...	I have many stories like that because I am like that guy. But I just rather comment about this: When my rights are being violated, I don't sit back and take it up the ass like a lot of Americans do. I fight back. Hooray for this guy. __________________ That is my 2 cents.

08-12-2004, 11:50 AM	#16 (permalink)
Dwayne Crazy Location: New England	Guard: I attempt to confiscate your book. Guy: I roll a reflex save DM: You succed and dont give the book up. Personaly I think that the only material not to be allowed read in public is material that includes hard core porn and/or graphic violence.

08-12-2004, 10:04 PM	#19 (permalink)
ForgottenKnight Jesus Freak Location: Following the light...	GO HIM! That's the right way to handle it! Don't ever let anyone trample your rights, especially when it's something stupid like a book in a bag! __________________ "People say I'm strange, does that make me a stranger?"