  Miketoronto Member Username: Miketoronto Post Number: 442 Registered: 07-2004 |
Well guys, I just arrived home late last night from a weekend trip to Detroit with four other people. I have to say, we all left impressed with the great improvments we saw. I had been in Detroit just a couple months ago, so I already knew good stuff was going on. But one of my friends had not been in years, and he said he left Detroit this time happy and not depressed, due to all the great things he saw going on downtown. We enjoyed nightlife in downtown Detroit, dinner in downtown, Clubbing in Hamtramke, Belle Isle Conservatory, The Detroit Opera House Tour, and a driving tour through the city. Anyway great time in the D. I am going to be emailing my city councillor about how much better Detroit keeps some of its public spaces compared to Toronto. The skating rink infront of Compuware, and the Belle Isle Conservatory totally blow away the the poor job Toronto's parks and rec does on our conservatory and Dundas Square. Anyway we had a great time. Only problem was my cousin in suburban Detroit as much as I like her needs an attitude check. I could not meet up with her because she refused to come into downtown Detroit for fear of her life, and we could not make it out to the suburbs this time to dine with her out there. (Message edited by miketoronto on January 15, 2007) | ||
Rrl Member Username: Rrl Post Number: 712 Registered: 12-2003 |
Mike, didn't you hit the Auto Show? It would've been well worth the time and entrance fee. | ||
Miketoronto Member Username: Miketoronto Post Number: 443 Registered: 07-2004 |
We did not have time to see the Auto Show. We had planned to go with our Detroit friend. But then we got up late from clubbing the night before, and we started driving around touring the city, and the time just went  We were told it is a great show. Of course your border guards don't think so We told the border guy coming into the USA that we were going to see the Auto Show, and his comment was "why would you come here to see that" Nice way to encourage tourism | ||
Charlottepaul Member Username: Charlottepaul Post Number: 242 Registered: 10-2006 |
The border peeps always come up with random questions to ask you when you tell them where you are going, mainly to catch off guard in case you are a terrorist. Back a few years ago I was with some classmates from Detroit Mercy and we were going to Windsor for a sorority formal. one of the females didn't have a birth cert. copy and he asked her if she had a cabaret license instead. Odd question at the time, but funny later that night... | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 694 Registered: 09-2005 |
With respect to the cousin, it is funny how Canadians seem (in general) seem more willing to investigate Detroit that many people in Detroit's own Metro area (state side). Ironically, however, the government of the United States of America intends to throw a $100 barrier (per person) in front of many Canadians wishing to visit Detroit on or before June 2009 (cost of passports, photos, etc). Not sure how many people want to pay $115 to attend the autoshow.... | ||
Miketoronto Member Username: Miketoronto Post Number: 444 Registered: 07-2004 |
Its not really an added cost. I have always had a passport. Since I was like 5 years old my parents always made sure I had a passport and them too. I know other families are not like that. But passports my parents always felt were just a thing everyone should have. So the passport thing has no effect on me. | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 695 Registered: 09-2005 |
Mike, I wasn't talking about you per se. Although did everyone in your party (resident in Canada) have a passport with them? Also, those you think customs officers are asking questions to determine if someone is a terrorist, you are dreaming. The vast majority of enforcement action at the border is related to the declaration (or lack thereof) of goods, including fruit and meat products, in addition to immigration issues (i.e. a Canadian seeking entry to the US has a DUI conviction and is therefore inadmissible). | ||
Miketoronto Member Username: Miketoronto Post Number: 445 Registered: 07-2004 |
Upinottawa, yep everyone in my group has a passport(except one friend who lost hers and is waiting to get a new one this month). Anyway back to Detroit talk | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 698 Registered: 09-2005 |
Mike you realize that under the proposed WHTI requirements your friend would not have been allowed into the United States. I guess she could have stayed at immigration while you and your other friends went clubbing. WHTI does affect Detroit -- it will hurt Detroit tourism. Anyway, back to the original programming. | ||
Young_detroiter Member Username: Young_detroiter Post Number: 180 Registered: 08-2004 |
Customs...border security... I dread it all. When I entered the U.S. from Mexico to visit my family during the holidays a couple weeks ago, the mighty customs agents and security agents treated me like a big, happy load of crap. I bussed through the border into Texas and flew out of Houston. I have grown accustomed to the sometimes uncomfortable body pat-downs and intense screening, but many spoke to me in a very crude manner. TERRIBLE EXPERIENCES WITH THE DIGITAL CAMERA Well, I love snapping photos in Detroit. I whip out the camera anytime that deems appropriate. Apparently, I have bad judgement of when it's appropriate. I had just left Mexicantown to buy my family some Obleas (little caramel filled wafer candies) and holiday gifts, when I saw the magnificent Ambassador Bridge staring at me. I approached it and decided to snap some photos. Within seconds the border patrol agent was banging on my window. He said, "What do you think you're doing?" I politely replied that was capturing photos of the our bridge. Nevertheless, though I look like any other average black boy, he accused me of being a foreigner (as if that is a crime). So, I sat arguing the validity of my citizenship. My ancestors (slaves) have probably been in the U.S. longer than the U.S. has even had borders. Finally, after I found proof of my citizenship, I was still cross-examined about why I was photographing the bridge. "Hasn't anyone told you that you can't take picture of the bridge? This territory is owned by Homeland Security." Well, maybe I was slightly ignorant, but that is definitely not "common knowledge" that you can't take a photo of a bridge. As of now, my name has been listed with the Homeland Security as possible offender or threat. He said that it would remain there for a year. Two days later, I was showing a suburban friend around downtown. He had never seen anything except Cobo and Hart Plaza. We decided to stop into Greektown, but because we are both underage, we cannot enter into the gambling areas. Nevertheless, I snapped a photo from the doorway. Before I could stash away my camera (my weapon), I was being shouted at about committing a federal crime. As a non-gambler, I have no idea about what goes on in a casino. Nevertheless, they don't have to worry about me returning. The casino incident was more understandable than the bridge incident, but in either scenario I could have been shown some respect. I truly love Detroit, but as a native Detroiter I know that as I was shooting pictures of the bridge, they're energy could have been redirected to someone who was getting shot. (No offense to be taken, but it is a sad reality.) Don't be deterred by border issues. (Message edited by Young_Detroiter on January 16, 2007) | ||
Drankin21 Member Username: Drankin21 Post Number: 46 Registered: 12-2003 |
Young_detroiter, Photos are not allowed to be taken in ANY casino. They look the other way sometimes if you are away from the tables but nevertheless, it's illegal. | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 700 Registered: 09-2005 |
Homeland security does not own the Ambassador Bridge. Matty Moroun does. | ||
Ramcharger Member Username: Ramcharger Post Number: 208 Registered: 05-2006 |
Taking pictures in a casino is not illegal (as evidenced by numerous pictures posted on the casinos own web sites) and it is certainly not a Federal crime. It is just against casino policy. As for the bridge pictures; this trend of equating photography with terrorism is really becoming worrisome. It is another excuse to harass people and does nothing to enhance security since a simple web search will produce hundreds of pictures, including detailed satellite images, of almost anything worth photographing. The idea that you would be put on a “watch list” simply because you took a picture of the Ambassador Bridge is shocking! | ||
Iheartthed Member Username: Iheartthed Post Number: 303 Registered: 04-2006 |
Add narcostics to the list as well Upinottawa... Especially for the young minorities. I have way too many friends (and myself as well) who have been subject to "random" searches at the border. | ||
Wfw Member Username: Wfw Post Number: 166 Registered: 03-2004 |
In regards to taking pictures of the Ambassador Bridge, I find it ironic that the Soviet Union had the same policy - no pictures of bridges, military installations, airports, or other infrastructure were permitted. What does this say about America? You tell me. | ||
Awfavre Member Username: Awfavre Post Number: 89 Registered: 08-2005 |
When it comes to taking photos, I find it’s helpful to have a printout of the pamphlet available from the link below. http://www.krages.com/phoright .htm | ||
Young_detroiter Member Username: Young_detroiter Post Number: 181 Registered: 08-2004 |
I am now aware that my rights have been infringed. Nevertheless, if a person does not know their rights, in some cases the individual won't have any rights. While, I am still researching the policies regarding restriction of casino photography, it appears that it is not a "federal crime," as Ramcharger aforementioned. I believe it was a tactic used to instill fear in me. The casino officer abused his limited authority to threaten me with property confiscation and arrest for committing a federal crime (which does not exist). Moreover, I was not within the gaming area, but instead in the entrance area where the would-be gamblers are screened. Furthermore, the bridge incident seemed shady and doubtful the very moment it occurred. I was parked in my car along Fort Street, snapping a few photos, and consequently I was harassed. Though the same questions ran through my mind: Since when did Homeland Security own the land encompassing Fort Street? etc. Nevertheless, fear was instilled in me. I just didn't want to deal with law enforcement. I have been skeptical of the law enforcement ever since being the victim of an incident in which unnecessary, extreme force was used on my mother, sister, and I by two police officers when I was age 6. That incident led to legal action on the behalf of my family and I. While I can expect more incidents of similar nature throughout my life, the situations with law enforcement and I have grown tiring. In addition, it never helps to be young when DRIVING, WALKING, or PHOTOGRAPHING WHILE BLACK. I have witnessed just as much age discrimination as race discrimination. However, I am not a fan of jumping to conclusions and yanking out the "race card." Thanks to all for the insight and the helpful Web link. | ||
Scs100 Member Username: Scs100 Post Number: 262 Registered: 12-2006 |
Never come to Grosse Pointe, Young Detroiter. The cops are all over anyone who is under the age of 25. It gets really annoying. | ||
Steelworker Member Username: Steelworker Post Number: 813 Registered: 02-2004 |
wow what a threadjacking. | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 3450 Registered: 08-2004 |
Scs100, only if you're driving a junker of a car, or at least one of your head/tail lights are out, then they will harass you. Otherwise they will leave you alone. | ||
Scs100 Member Username: Scs100 Post Number: 266 Registered: 12-2006 |
That would happen. But I also know people in high school who have been tailed by the cops. |
