"Suspicious Activity?"

A one handed, "Hail Mary" , "award winning" (ha!) slightly shaky shot reaching over a wall was all I was able to get of the elephants from Barnum & Bailey circus entering the Midtown Tunnel, after standing around in the cold with a crowd of people for two hours. There were twice as many cops from the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel department as there were spectators, hassling everyone because there are "restrictions against photographing the tunnel." Apparently TOLL BOOTH operations are a matter of national security. Even though the MTA statutes clearly state that photography is permissable, and even though the battle has been fought and won in court, those with badges continue to hassle those with cameras. I was informed by one officer that I was standing on "private property." I looked down at the sidewalk, up at the street sign reading "51st Ave " and responded that I did not realize that New York City sidewalks were private. The officer then said, "Don't you sass me!" , to which I replied, "I'm merely stating the facts." I have to say, it really took all the fun out of the whole enterprise. There are few things more frustrating than over-authorized, armed, under-informed guardians of the public enforcing statutes they do not know under the premise of "national security." We're talking about a parade here people.