kybearfuzz: (Default)
kybearfuzz ([personal profile] kybearfuzz) wrote2003-10-13 03:43 pm

Beware the Photographer...

I just had the most bizarre phone call. The caller ID said it was from Corbin, my home town, but I didn't recognize the number. I just figured it was my brother or sister calling from work or a friend's house. Well, it wasn't.

The guy had a SE KY accent, as I'm used to hearing it ever time I go home. He started off asking me my name and if I drove a particular car of a particular color with a Irish flag and shamrock plate on the front. I reluctantly said I did. I was wondering where this was going... and was starting to get weirded out. He wouldn't tell me his name, but he was asking why I was taking pictures around Corbin.

This puzzled me. While home on vacation, I was feeling sentimental and starting taking pictures around town at the local landmarks, places I remembered as a kid, etc. I explained to him that I was on vacation and just taking shots around town as I don't get home too often. He explained that he had found a paper with my car description, license plate number, my physical description, and that I was taking pictures, in his wife's car.

I was really starting to get freaked now. He was wondering if I was taking pictures to prove his wife was up to something, or if I was following her. I told him that I wasn't and hoped he didn't think I was fooling around with her (he's sadly mistaken there for obvious reasons). The man said that he didn't think I was doing that, but he suspects that his wife was or is fooling around. I'm glad I didn't tell him I was a government investigator.

I described to him the places I was taking pictures -- the creek, the high school, the railroad depot, etc. I told him that I took these pics before lunch as I was on my way to pick up my buddy. I'm not sure if I helped him or not... or even if I should have. My guess is that my pictures may have something a tad incriminating in them, so I may have to have a closer look at them later.

Before I let him go, I asked him how he found out my name and number. He said that he had some buddies at the police department and got my information from the license plate number. Not a comfortable situation I'm sure. Gut feeling is that it's no problem, but I get a strange impression I may be speaking with him again.

[identity profile] queensheba.livejournal.com 2003-10-13 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
That's *bizarre.* She must have thought you were taking a picture of her, or that you were following her around town, when coincidentally you were just taking pictures of other stuff - maybe some of the landmarks you took pictures of were significant to whatever she's doing - e.g. that's the bridge where she meets her lover, etc.?

[identity profile] kybearfuzz.livejournal.com 2003-10-13 01:31 pm (UTC)(link)
The strange thing is, I don't recall taking pictures of any people, just landmarks. And your comment is ironic, I took several pictures of SEVERAL bridges while home. None are really known as make-out points though.

[identity profile] hylandr.livejournal.com 2003-10-13 01:41 pm (UTC)(link)
OK. That's just plain weird.

[identity profile] kybearfuzz.livejournal.com 2003-10-13 03:13 pm (UTC)(link)
No kidding :)

[identity profile] cincycub.livejournal.com 2003-10-13 02:14 pm (UTC)(link)
That is REALLY wierd. Isn't it illegal for the police to give out that information to a civilian???

[identity profile] kybearfuzz.livejournal.com 2003-10-13 03:15 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm not sure if it is or not. I'm not sure this guy was a civilian, but he said that he has buddies at the station. My guess is that he called in a favor from the local boys in blue. In my neck of the woods, it's pretty common.