I hope that Pro Publica pursues this harassment to the proper conclusion and that the policemen and the BP gum shoe learn that they are in the United States and that we don’t tolerate this type of behavior.

Scary stuff. Sad to see that most news networks won’t report this heavy-handed behavior.

Living near that town I can tell you first hand that the officers in that area are heavily manipulated into detaining and ticketing any individual that poses a threat to their acceptance of a model citizenry.

In a restaraunt not far from this gas station a news crew from Houston attempted to inteview people who work for BP during a lunch hour. Upon initially getting an individual to go on camera, he subsequently took the mic off, and refused to answer any questions posed to him involving his work there(fear of retaliation from his employer) before going on film.

That town is heavily monitored by local law enforcement, and unionized labor, in the private sector and the public sector. There’s no escaping it’s grasp upon the people there. Those public officials take full advantage of their close relationship with the local law enforcement and corporate entities by protecting them in any situation that may hinder their cosy relationship(for monetary and special interests needs).

Having worked as a security guard for several years I can see where my employer would require information on people on his property but in this instance this was not the case. The police officer violated this individual’s rights when he turned over the photographer’s personal information. And even if I did ask an individual for his personal information he could refuse it and there is not a darn thing as a security guard I can do about it.

This homeland security guard exceeded his authority and exposes his employer to liability and so does this police officer. I see a lawsuit here.

I hope your exposure will have some inhibiting effect. It’s the best we can hope for. Thank you for your vigilance.

I can hardly wait for Texas to secede. I cannot imagine any legitimate police interest in someone taking pictures of the “Welcome to Texas City” sign. Who was that under-exercised officer talking to on the phone all that time? Is the local force doubling as enforcers for the refineries?

This is a respectful application of reasonable police action to verify the identity and purpose of a person photographing a strategic American Energy Asset.

Homeland security oversaw a potential threat, ensuring the safety of all Texans. These photographs provide the evidence which may be spun in a number of directions. Who do you serve?

The whole thing is baloney. The taking of photos from a public roadway is no different from viewing with the naked eye; and a refinery is certainly visible to everyone. As noted elsewhere, anyone can get satellite or aerial photos of anything. There never were grounds here for a stop or detention, and there never was a role for private security. Someone needs to take a good refresher course on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

I spent 22 years as a federal law enforcement officer, and this makes me ashamed of ANY law enforcement officer with so little understanding of police authority in a free society.

If this is what “protecting and serving” looks like, we are better off WITHOUT it.

Makes me want to move to China!
Land Of The Free!  Ha!
Equality And Justice For All!  Ha Ha Ha!!!

I like what I see. Here is a thorough investigation of suspicious activity at a major US energy facility. Both Homeland Security and local police verified necessary personal information to ensure safety of all Texans. This seamless integration of police and Homeland Security is precisely why there have been no serious problems with sabotage in America since 9/11. BP is a broadly held blue chip stock underwriting several major pension funds in North America and Europe. Who does it serve to spin?

It alls seems very reasonable. It’s a courteous exchange, and no one gets too bent out of shape. But what if the photographer had refused the police to review his photographs? He probably would have been arrested under some other pretext, as there is no law in Texas making photography illegal. Hence, his rights as an individual would have been violated. Some of the commenters here don’t seem to place much value on the right of individuals, which is a very unAmerican attitude. Perhaps they would be happier living in Cuba, North Korea, China or the former Soviet Union. Or, if they want to experience a more pure form of collusion between private oil companies and law enforcement, perhaps they would get a kick out of living in Nigeria for a while.

Paul, you are an executive at an energy company in Texas. Of course you like what you see—it’s an arm of the government being used to harass people who might expose malfeasance in your industry.

Paul… are you drawing a cheque from these guys or just plain in denial? We live in a free society and this is harassment pure and simple… These officers exceeded their authority…

What’s really funny about this detainment is that during, and before, the 2008 presidential elections is the fact that this gas station had on its property, in plain view of all motorists coming into and out of their Valero, a gigantic Ron Paul sign. It was atleast 5 times the size of any of the other opponents signs and needed 3, 8’ tall posts, to keep it standing straight up.

Guessing these state sanctioned taxfeeders didn’t get that message.

What I find disturbing is the fact the officers handed over this man’s personal information to BP. I didn’t realize we live in the United States of British Petro. Or, the State of BP.

To Paul Latham, Executive VP and COO of Clayton Williams Energy:

That was not a U.S. energy facility; it was private property.  Also, how do you suppose that verifying personal information of someone standing on public property photographing something that is plainly visible to the public will ensure the safety of anyone?

I am curious to know why the article does not give us any information about the legality of the police officers explanation.  Are there regulations in regards to Homeland Security and energy installations allowing them to detain and question the public?  Is it permissible for the police to give the photographers personal information to the private security guards?  If it is a law passed by our legislators, was anything wrong done by the police?

What happened to the “probable cause” requirement for such intensive interrogation? And if he didn’t trespass onto BP turf, what difference does it make whether he photographs the scene or simply sees it with his eyes? This is the kind of police-state stuff I’m seeing all too often in my country.

Paul, who do YOU serve?

You guys need someone to get good audio on your video.  It would have really been nice to hear something of what was being said.  There are plenty of location sound mixers who need the work as well. Get good sound and help stimulate the economy by hiring people who need the work.