----- Original Message -----
From: "Malcolm Smith"
Subject: RE: Re: improper photog canadian style
I suspect the whole issue of actually taking pictures on
school property or in the school has almost NOTHING to do
with children's safety and almost EVERYTHING to do with
perceived potential liability of the school, school district,
or the employees working there.
I don't doubt that for a moment. But if you're (the school) going to make
such a statement, either back it up or don't make it. What on earth was
the
point of saying it without enforcement (and I'll ignore the fact that 95%
of
the parents would have said 'come and make me then')? People looking for
faults, won't display the fact they are recording it or filming it. Or
perhaps everyone is too paranoid and the 21st Century will not be recorded
on film, through concern of what is captured and what has been lost on
computers.
Extreme case of paranoid CYA. If they chase off every person who does not
have obvious business being there, then they are chasing off any potential
bad people.
I suspect the theory is that it is OK to trample 10,000 peoples rights if
they manage to disuade one person from doing wrong.
If they don't chase everyone away who doesn't have obvious business there,
and one bad person does one bad thing, then the potential for suit is rather
more than if they were taking every possible step to *protect the children*.
I still disagree with it, though as Frank pointed out, a school and it's
grounds are, more or less, the private property of the school board.
Common law dictates a person is innocent until proven guilty, sadly, we seem
to be moving towards the French system of justice, which basically legalizes
witch hunts.
William Robb
