Phoenix Park Ranger Carlos Sotomayor Violates Our Constitutional Rights

Over a week ago I sent you guys a request for public records, which was a request for any laws that the city of Phoenix has which requires people to get a permit to shoot still photos in Phoenix Parks.

I also asked for any laws that define what "commercial photography" is, in relation to shooting photos in city of Phoenix parks.

You guys still have not answer my email and supplied me with the law, if one exists.

Can you tell me what the status of my request for public records is and why it is taking so long to tell me the what the law is that requires a permit to shoot still photos in Phoenix Parks?

If you don't answer my request for public records I will have to file a lawsuit against you.

Also I will probably file a lawsuit against, you, Phil Bradstock, the city of Phoenix and the Park Ranger who ordered us to stop taking photos if I can't get a copy of these laws.

I will be filing the lawsuit in Federal Court, not the Arizona courts, so I won't have to file the usual claim for damages that you have to file in an Arizona court.

It will certainly be a lot easier if you just tell me what the city of Phoenix laws are on this matter instead of stonewalling me and making me file a lawsuit to get a copy of the laws you expect us to obey.

From:	Carl Drega
To:	Chris Meyer Phoenix City Clerk mailboxcityclerk@phoenix.gov
Date:	Wednesday, October 17, 2012 4:26 PM
Subject:	questions about shooting still photos in Phoenix Parks
We were shooting some still photos at Papago Park and stopped by the Park Ranger. He told us it was illegal for us to shoot photos in the park and that we had to get a permit and pay a $100 fee before we could take any photos in a city park. He ordered us to stop shooting photos until we got a permit. I am trying to get a copy of the city of Phoenix law or ordinance that defines the requirements for shooting still photos in Phoenix parks. I was told by one person that the law is city code G-1403. That is incorrect. I looked up G-1403 on the city of Phoenix web site and it doesn't say one word about the requirements for shooting still photos in city parks. G-1403 defines the rules and requirements for shooting movies and videos in city parks but does not address the requirements for shooting still photos. Can you point me to the city law that defines the rules for shooting still photos in city parks? Last I am a bit confused about what the definition of commercial photos are. The park ranger who told us we were not allowed to shot photos didn't say a word about it applying only to people shooting "commercial photos". He just ordered us to stop shooting photos period. From other people I have talked to and from your web site it seems like the law says a permit is only required for people who are shooting "commercial photos". Can you also point me to the city of Phoenix code that defines exactly what "commercial photos" are so I can read it and decide if we meet that criteria and are required to get the permit? If this isn't your area of expertise can you pleas pass this email on to someone who can help me? Thanks

Letters & E-mails in Carlos Sotomayor Lawsuit

2nd Letter to Phoenix City Clerk Chris Meyer