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Baraboo Photos: National Security Threat?

Police Question Local Photographer

POSTED: 4:29 pm CDT September 1, 2004
UPDATED: 9:51 am CDT September 2, 2004

A Reedsburg photographer has serious questions about homeland security after a military recruiter thought his actions were suspicious enough to have him questioned by police.

Video

It all happened last week outside Baraboo's Marine and Air Force Recruiting Center.

Photographer Thomas Neubauer and his wife were running errands when he opted to sit one out in the car. He passed the time testing a new camera.

"I was using my camera, testing out some different settings and stuff," said Neubauer.

Before he knew it, Neubauer was being questioned by police.

"They informed me that the recruiter's office had called me in as a potential terrorist threat," he said.

"Our officer did exactly what he was supposed to do," said Lt. Rob Sinden with the Reedsburg Police Dept.

"He got right down to business, grilling me about the make and model and color of my car," said Neubauer. "He asked, do I own a camera? That's when I informed him that I'm a local portrait photographer."

In fact, Neubauer owns Concept Photography. His business number and Web site were painted on the side of the car in which he was sitting.

Police quickly concluded that was true and filed the case away as an unfounded suspicious person report.

Neubauer said the whole incident makes him question homeland security.

"It leaves me feeling kind of uneasy, OK," said Neubauer. "I second guess when something's reported now, how much is factual and how much is a bit of paranoia."

Lt. Sinden defends the investigation. "Perhaps five years ago we may have not even received a call on this, but in today's world, I would highly recommend to any recruiter, if similar activity occurs, they call us and we will respond as we did with in this case."

Neubauer says despite the recent challenge, he will still carry his camera with him wherever he goes.

"In fact, location photography is my specialty," Neubauer said.

"He can take photographs wherever he wants, absolutely," said Lt. Sinden. "But whenever it occurs when it's not a natural place to take photographs we're likely going to get a call on it."

That includes anyone taking pictures of, or near a military office or installation or power plant.



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