The Photos That Got Me Banned From Excalibur Las Vegas (You Know, ‘Homeland Security’!)
As I mentioned in my blog post yesterday, this week is the Photoshop World convention in Las Vegas and I’m here for a week of fun and learning! But after only a few hours in town, I’ve already got a whopper of a story to tell! Screw the whole “what happens in Vegas…” crap.
So Photoshop World is at the Mandalay Bay and thousands of photographers will be converging there from all over the world. In fact they’re sold out. So I had to stay next door at Luxor.
Well, I checked in and dropped off my stuff in my room, then grabbed my camera to go walk and take some photos on the strip. Of course, the Excalibur is the first hotel on the way down the strip, and I’ve taken photos of it literally every time I’ve been in Las Vegas. But this time I took some photos OUTSIDE the hotel, and as I was going to walk through the hotel to get something to eat, a security guard stopped me before I could enter.
He wanted to know my name, where I was staying, and my room number! He told me it was because I was taking photos of the outside of the building! And claimed it was for “homeland security”.
As you might imaging, I thought this was absurd and appalling. But I figured, what the hell… if they don’t want my money!
By this time there were no fewer than 4 “security guards” right on top of me, attempting to intimidate me. Meanwhile, I’m trying to peacefully leave the property, but they keep harassing me. If that’s not bad enough, one little guy starts following me, and begins reading to me from a card!
Yep, you guessed it! He gave me a “do not trespass” and told me he’ll have me arrested if I come back on their property! :-)
Oh, I should mention that other people were of course taking photos of the hotel at the same time. As I’m sure millions of people have.
What I find most interesting is, how are they going to deal with the hoards of Photoshop attendees? I even tried explaining it to them, but they were not interested in listening. So, officially I’m never allowed in that property again because I took the following 13 photos of it from the outside while walking by! I figure that makes these the most dangerous and valuable photos on Earth!
Now, if there is any good news, it’s that when I got back to the Luxor in the evening I went down to the front desk to address the issue. After talking to the service manager, he called over the security manager. After talking to the security manager, he thought it was ridiculous and he called the Excalibur security manager (thanks for the help Kevin!). We both met the Exclibur manger in a neutral walkway that connects the two casinos.
After telling the story again, Excalibur’s security manager also couldn’t believe it. He was very apologetic and asked if I would come over and write a statement for him so that he could address it with the people on the other shift (thanks Michael!), which I did.
As of this moment, I’m still banned, and will not ever set foot in Excalibur, Luxor or Mandalay Bay after this trip. However, I’ve given them all of my information so we’ll see if they contact me as I’ve requested. I asked for a written apology that specifically states that I am NOT banned from the property. Otherwise I will not risk being thrown in jail.
I will tell you, it was one of the most insulting things ever in my life. Being treated like a bloody criminal for taking a few photos, which is standard practice for anyone in Vegas, simply sucks. That doesn’t take into account the anger, or all my wasted time trying to later resolve the matter. There is nothing they can do to make it up to me, so now I’m going to tell this story every chance I get to as many people as possible. And I think you should too!
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That is absolutely rediculous! Im gona have to agree with Dave. A typical case of power in the wrong hands. I have found myself in your same position many times with a scrawny, under educated, social outcast with the “power of the badge”! Its amaizing how something so little (a badge) can make the insecure feel so omnipotent. Well, sounds like you did your best to resolve the issue without turning your camera into a weapon that everyone involved with “homeland security” would all be terrified of!! haha ;)
A friend of mine recently was a patron at the Encore in Las Vegas. When he was checking in they made him take his luggage back out side because it wasn’t acceptable. Then he was dared to jump into a pool from the top of a waterfall in the hotel next door so he took all his clothes off except a an under shirt and boxers and took the leap among other things. When he returned to Encore they informed him he had 20 minutes to get his things and that he would be banned forever and if he returned he would be arrested. I feel that this is excessive and unnecessary actions by Encore. Obvious common practice in Las Vegas. I haven’t been but I’m thinking it isn’t worth it.
My buddy took this at Excal 2 weeks ago:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_msVi4PKTyQ
Amazing that a city that lives off good will and good publicity takes such a view of photographers. I don’t blame you to wait for a formal apology. There are too many places to stay in Vegas without taking even a small chance at ending up in jail.
It is sad that we have traded so much freedom and liberty for so little real security. Just look at airline security. It has been shown to be full of holes yet we still endure the small bottles of shampoo, plastic baggies, etc. Eventually people will just stay home….. I wonder what happens to the Vegas economy when that happens?
“I agree with your approach, but why the hate for Luxor, sounds like they helped you out? ”
They’re all owned by the same MGM/Mirage. I totally agree, unless they issue a formal apology, shun all of their properties. There’s plenty of places to stay and gamble. I’m sure the management will be pissed. A lot of big money gamblers look just like anybody else, those security guards could have cost them a LOT of money with this stunt.
Absolutely nuts. Don’t forget that these 3 hotels and about 1/2 of the strip is owned by MGM-Mirage.
You don’t have to stop for the Fry’s search. You don’t have to stop for any “leaving the store” search (Best Buy, etc.). Just walk past them, they can’t/won’t do anything.
And yet you keep returning….
This is clearly the case of a guard who needs more training. It’s bad press for the Excalibur for sure, hopefully they’ll make it right for you. It’s too bad one rouge security guard can give a place a bad name.
This is a classic! How many thousands of shots have been made of the Excalibur exterior? Normally they get the uppety more when they think someone’s taking pictures inside.
Well I just learned that many places require you to obtain a “tripod permit” to shoot pictures or video. For example Capitol Hill in D.C. or the National Parks (all of them). In fact, there are a LOT of misinformed police who think it is illegal to take pictures of buildings from public land. Yes you can argue with them as they cart you off to jail and eventually you’ll be freed, but most will just pack up and move along. Sad but true. I was told by the police I couldn’t sit in my parked car from across the street from my house. No lights, windows down, engine off, no stereo, I was waiting while potential buyers toured my house with the Realtor. I was told that my behavior was reported by a neighbor as “suspicious”. It was sunny and 5:00 P.M. in the afternoon. Yes this is not the America we used to know. It died a long time ago.
Thanks for sharing this experience. Thankfully, mine have been much more positive with the casinos, with some actually being find with photos on-property, like Harrah’s Las Vegas, for example. The security guard issue is always a tough one. They have good intentions, but they’re just not real clear on the laws, nor are they often clear about the policies of their own employers! Of course these resorts want people to take and share photos. Oy!
I can’t believe yet another story like this. More more photography is becoming a crime and it’s just crazy. Thank you for sharing this. I will be in Vegas next month for blogworld and hope not to run into this as I plan to take pictures. its’ what we do.
And slowly the US becomes like the very states it tries to free from tyranny and oppresion. N Korea, China and a host of others, all have similar policies against taking pics.
What goes round comes round.
I had always heard that it was a no-no to take photos inside any casino but never the outside. sounds like someone has been watching to much Vegas.
I’m pretty sure that you could sue them, especially because the manager told you it was not correct use of their policy and that they claimed Homeland security, which they clearly are not part of. Same reason a retail store has to be careful if they accuse you of shoplifting.
check with your attorney…could be some easy cash…
That’s so ridiculous. It’s scary how many people — like these “guards” — turn off their brains while doing their jobs. You should have had the Photographer’s Rights card handy at the time!
I agree with your approach, but why the hate for Luxor, sounds like they helped you out? Or did you just mean that you don’t ever anticipate being back in Vegas, so you won’t be at >any< hotel there again?
–Pete
John, someone shared this link with me about a guy who was taken by security guards to a back room, they called the police and took his drivers license. I’m learning this happens more than people realize!
http://pokergrump.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-got-backroomed-by-casino-security.html
Bright side: at least it was a pretty gnarly hotel that you got banned from… would have been more tragic if it was the Wynn!
@MattCampagna
Over and over again we all hear stories like this and I wonder when people will realize that having a camera is not a crime and stop harassing people like you.
And I know for a fact that in telling this story you are not the only person who won’t ever be staying at these properties. Word travels fast about people being idiots like this.
Hope it all works out for you and looking forward to the rest of the photos from your time there!
Nothing like making you feel all warm & fuzzy with that sort of welcome to vegas crew. Hopefully that crack security team will be get a “here’s what not to do” lesson from hotel management. So stupid.
I feel the same way every time Fry’s tries to search me. I am a customer and as I leave, I get my privacy violated, horrible business practices.
That is very un-vegas of the excalibur for the exact reason you posted, which is a negative comment about there hotel(which was totally legit from you i feel like you were in the right). Im glad to hear for the most part it was resolved, Ive heard they(most vegas hotels) encourage photos of their hotels basically because its free advertising, i myself did a photos shoot at a hotel not the biggest one but its right on the strip called The Jockey Club(its right next to the Bellagio). In fact i was able to get onto the roof of the hotel and take photos up there.(http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevcal/sets/72157618204004238/)
Good luck on future shoots.
Definitely a story to share. Probably just an extreme example of power in the wrong hands, but while Vegas is campaigning hard for tourism, they should be checking their hiring and training procedures, as well. As you say, this is well past staying in Vegas.
You know its really pissing off you cant take pics here and you cant take pics there stuff. Heck over here in India you cant click pics in a mall, WTF.