The fear of terrorists falls over the innocent yet again, this time across the Atlantic, as New York’s police forces arrest photographer Robert Taylor. The New York Times article ‘No Photo Ban in Subways, Yet an Arrest’ tells his story of a wrongful arrest and its costs to taxpayers.

Taylor was stopped by a police officer citing ‘a nonexistent rule’. He was taking photographs on Subway station in Bronx. “He told me I couldn’t take the pictures. I told him that’s not true, that the rules permitted it. He said I was wrong. I said, ‘I’m willing to bet your paycheck’.” Taylor told The New York Times.

In handcuffs, Taylor was delivered to the Transit District 12 police station, and a warrant check was run. “They were citing 9/11,” he said. Taylor has been charged with accounts of disorderly conduct and impeding traffic.

According to the article, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority proposed a ban on photography in the subways twice within the last five years but the idea was dropped as it encountered opposition. “Even so, people taking pictures in the subways are regularly stopped by the police and asked to let the officers see their images or to delete them,” writes columnist Jim Dwyer.

Rule 1050.9 (c) of the New York state code says, “Photography, filming or video recording in any facility or conveyance is permitted except that ancillary equipment such as lights, reflectors or tripods may not be used.”

Dwyer also recalls last year’s lawsuit with a medical student who was using his vacation to photograph every subway stop which cost the city $31,501.