RSIG Security at Transformer Packard set

**mauser** · September-12-10, 03:19 PM

http://www.detroitfunk.com/?p=4714

Anybody else had problems with the security guard company at Packard during the Transformers filming ? Not just me, but over a dozen other people have told me crazy stories about their behavior - to the point where we are starting to write letters to the Michigan AGs office about this RSIG company.

Threats of violence, fake tickets, lies about it being "government property", threatening equipment, swearing, following cars - its pretty crazy. One of the readers on my site stopped by with his kids to maybe see one of the big robots. They freaked out really hard on him, with the family in the car and everything .

Is that in anyway necessary or acceptable ?

I say 'no'.

And so what happened with the City finding the owners of Packard to hold them accountable for the conditions on that property ? Hollywood shows up and everything is forgotten with a few dollars ? Come on.

**Gsgeorge** · September-12-10, 04:33 PM

Not the classiest act in town. New Image Protection Services offers a much more professional & accommodating security service for Hollywood Films. I was surprised a film of this size went with RSIG, to be honest. They offer some of the lowest rates in town. Probably because they needed so many people. NPS [[New Image) is an amazingly professional outfit, very courteous with people and will only take action of the set is trespassed onto or there is a disturbance. Police are only called if absolutely necessary.

**torbusto** · September-15-10, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by Gsgeorge

Not the classiest act in town. New Image Protection Services offers a much more professional & accommodating security service for Hollywood Films. I was surprised a film of this size went with RSIG, to be honest. They offer some of the lowest rates in town. Probably because they needed so many people. NPS [[New Image) is an amazingly professional outfit, very courteous with people and will only take action of the set is trespassed onto or there is a disturbance. Police are only called if absolutely necessary.

I went by the Transformers set at 6th and Lafayette yesterday after work, not on single RSIG security person in site. Could see into the set perfect as Shia LeBeouf and others jumped on a Decepticon. I was waiting for the hammer to come down on me and others taking pictures but nothing happened.

Here's a bunch of pictures, you can get really close to the filming which is going on this week and next

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/g...9140805&Ref=PH

LodgeDodger · September-15-10, 02:50 PM

I drove by the Packard Plant today as I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Some of the people on this forum should be ashamed of themselves. The security guards were personable and very helpful.

Those of you who have been taunting the security guards should be ashamed of themselves.

**Gsgeorge** · September-15-10, 05:28 PM

Originally Posted by LodgeDodger

I drove by the Packard Plant today as I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Some of the people on this forum should be ashamed of themselves. The security guards were personable and very helpful.

Those of you who have been taunting the security guards should be ashamed of themselves.

Probably because production had a word in with RSIG yesterday... All the fuss on the internet spread pretty quickly to the production office...

**DetroitZack** · September-15-10, 07:09 PM

Originally Posted by Gsgeorge

Probably because production had a word in with RSIG yesterday... All the fuss on the internet spread pretty quickly to the production office...

Just wondering, how do you know that production had a word with RSIG?

**gazhekwe** · September-12-10, 04:48 PM

In Chicago, their security was noticeable, but not intrusive. I don't know what company they used. A LOT of staff, all up and down the various streets near the filming, no uniforms, just name tags and walkie talkies.

**mauser** · September-12-10, 04:50 PM

Yep - some professional manners and conduct would go a very long way.

It is also annoying because you can not really see anything from Grand Boulevard, and if that limited view is so important to them, why didnt they spend an extra $530 dollars and put up a few more boards to block views of the set ?

Like I mentioned before, you could look straight into the set from Harper Avenue anyway. Their zeal seems very far out of place.

**wolverine** · September-12-10, 04:59 PM

The security service in Chicago were wonderful and very nice and professional people. My office building was right in the center of the set. We'd have to pass through a security checkpoint to get into our building as well as the corner bakery restaurant. They were very polite and also let tourists in as long as they were dining at the corner bakery. Photography and filming was allowed and encouraged so as long as you weren't being disruptive and blocking entrances and exits. They set up places where people could stand and pose for photographs. Security also gave helpful and clear directions for people who were lost or were looking for a particular location. While filming went for nearly 3 weeks outside our building, it was hardly a burden. We actually missed it when the crew left.

It's a shame that security in Detroit is ruining this exciting moment for people. From the several filmings I've seen they've always provided places to get close and watch without disrupting production. I think this is just one of those things on top of a thousand that will continue to give Detroit a bad reputation. I was going to make a trip to Detroit to capture a few photos from a distance like I did in Chicago, but I guess I'll pass.

Put it like this, Chicago was able to handle a logistically difficult filming in a downtown area with hundreds of thousands of tourists, office workers, and residents passing through the area. There were no problems. Meanwhile it seems there are difficulties managing maybe hundreds that pass through an area that is mostly vacant. That's just a shame....

Blarf · September-12-10, 05:30 PM

On Friday afternoon I rolled up on Grand Blvd to watch the set. when a little weasel guard came up to my window and told me if I didn't move an officer would issue me a $1000 ticket. It was probably bullshit, but I just went on my way. What a bunch of pricks. Fuck their stupid movie.

**mauser** · September-12-10, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by Blarf

On Friday afternoon I rolled up on Grand Blvd to watch the set. when a little weasel guard came up to my window and told me if I didn't move an officer would issue me a $1000 ticket. It was probably bullshit, but I just went on my way. What a bunch of pricks. Fuck their stupid movie.

Yes it is bullshit, I was told "$5,000.00" ticket by khaki pants kid. One of the readers on my site was told he would get his ticket "in the mail".

You can sue people for intimidating you with a lie to prevent you from doing something you have every right to do. That is NOT legal behavior.

You also cant lie and call it "government property".

You cant confiscate or demand film or take cameras. That is a legal term known as "conversion", and you can sue for anyone attempting to do this to you. [[aside from a full blown Homeland Security agent with a damn good reason - maybe)

Having cars followed around by security guards in the neighboring streets is illegal harassment and intimidation.

Taking pictures of people - ANY people - in public places is 100% legal. There is absolutely no expectation of privacy standing out in the open. Through somebodys front window -that is a different story.

You never need to explain to anybody what you are taking photos of or why, so long as you are on public property. Personally, if a police officer has some legitimate reason to ask about your photography, I dont think it is a big deal to explain yourself. But you do not have to. [[cops at accident scenes usually ask if you are media, and then you just flash your ID)

The post 9/11 world of security guards is pretty wacky sometimes. I had a guy run out of a hotel and yell at me for taking photos of the skyline of Dallas once....the WHOLE skyline. Apparently the President had left this hotel lobby guard in charge of Dallas that night......heh. He threatened to call the FBI and scared my brother. I wanted to meet the FBI and ask them who killed JFK.....but thats another story.

**Fnemecek** · September-12-10, 06:39 PM

Oh, man! This is really bad.

We're trying to promote Michigan as a filming location and we've got assholes like RSIG making the entire industry look bad. These guys simply need to be replaced.

Stosh · September-12-10, 06:47 PM

I think it's hilarious. You guys are used to playing fast and loose with the rules of private property, and now are brought back to reality when some big bad goons stop you from entering. I just love it.

Maybe you can cut your own entrance in the building? Seems like the thing to do.

Blarf · September-12-10, 07:39 PM

Originally Posted by Stosh

I think it's hilarious. You guys are used to playing fast and loose with the rules of private property, and now are brought back to reality when some big bad goons stop you from entering. I just love it.

Maybe you can cut your own entrance in the building? Seems like the thing to do.

East Grand Blvd is private property? I thought that was a public street. I must be wrong.

Stosh · September-12-10, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Blarf

East Grand Blvd is private property? I thought that was a public street. I must be wrong.

Yes, you are, apparently. Must be the confusion of the treatment of Packard Properties as public property for so long, and the street.

**wolverine** · September-12-10, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by Stosh

I think it's hilarious. You guys are used to playing fast and loose with the rules of private property, and now are brought back to reality when some big bad goons stop you from entering. I just love it.

Maybe you can cut your own entrance in the building? Seems like the thing to do.

Can you clarify? I wasn't aware that Detroit's streets are privately owned. Or maybe you have absolutely no clue as to what's going on.

Stosh · September-12-10, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

Can you clarify? I wasn't aware that Detroit's streets are privately owned. Or maybe you have absolutely no clue as to what's going on.

Why should anyone clarify? Why should anyone be accountable for anything? Private property is still that. You have no presumption of access. And yes, I suppose that extends to the securing of their interests from potential tresspassers.

Blarf · September-12-10, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by Stosh

Why should anyone clarify? Why should anyone be accountable for anything? Private property is still that. You have no presumption of access. And yes, I suppose that extends to the securing of their interests from potential tresspassers.

How can you trespass on a public street?

**wolverine** · September-12-10, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by Stosh

Why should anyone clarify? Why should anyone be accountable for anything? Private property is still that. You have no presumption of access. And yes, I suppose that extends to the securing of their interests from potential tresspassers.

No one has trespassed, no one has walked on the Packard plant grounds or the alleys that run through it. The issue here in question is whether spectators have been unfairly treated watching from a distance on public sidewalks and streets that T3's hired security team has absolutely no control over.

While agree with you stosh that people have no right to be in the Packard or any vacant property in the city, I think you've completely misunderstood the situation here. We are aware they are filming in this property, but what about the neighborhood around it?

When filming happen, streets and properties used for staging and filming are typically well defined. They include checkpoints and sometimes fencing. Doesn't seem like the case here.

I've had very few run-ins with rent-a-cops in my life. The most notable example I can think of reminds me of what is being discussed in this thread.

I walked out of my apartment building and crossed the street to take a photo of my building. As I took a photo, a rent a cop walked up to me and demanded I not take any pictures. I replied "I'm sorry but I'm going to get this photo." Again he told me to stop and said pictures weren't allowed. "I said, well I live in that building, and I'm going to get a picture." He then said that I couldn't take the picture because there was retail on the ground floor, and that the retailers did not want photos of their store. He said it was maybe okay if I took pictures of the top floors of my building.

I called b.s. and said that rule only applies to the inside of the stores [[on private property) and that's probably what the retailers meant. Furthermore I told him my own building security [[that actually lets the public photograph the lobby) and the Chicago police trumps his authority and he should leave before I call them and report his harassment. He immediately walked away.

So stosh, maybe you should hire a rent-a-cop so when the streetview google car passes by your place next time, you can have them stopped.

**mauser** · September-13-10, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Stosh

I think it's hilarious. You guys are used to playing fast and loose with the rules of private property, and now are brought back to reality when some big bad goons stop you from entering. I just love it.

Maybe you can cut your own entrance in the building? Seems like the thing to do.

This is duly noted and funny, but nobody is talking about entering any property. We are talking about full blown indisputable public streets and sidewalks. East Grand Boulevard - that is a public road.

Stosh · September-13-10, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by mauser

This is duly noted and funny, but nobody is talking about entering any property. We are talking about full blown indisputable public streets and sidewalks. East Grand Boulevard - that is a public road.

Park your car elsewhere and walk in, then let them issue that ticket. Have witnesses. Let them beat you with their Tonya Harding specials. Then sue the company, AND the city. Otherwise, just quit whining. And pay to see the movie like anyone else.

Also, in response to the above comment about what constitutes assault, I think that this applies.

Performance of Duty and Authority A person may use reasonable force when it becomes necessary in the course of performing a duty. A police officer, for example, may use force when apprehending a criminal. In some jurisdictions, private citizens may also use reasonable force to stop a crime being committed in their presence. Certain businesses, such as restaurants or nightclubs, are authorized to hire employees who may use reasonable force to remove persons who disturb other patrons. Court officers, such as judges, may order the removal of disruptive persons who interfere with their duties.

LodgeDodger · September-15-10, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Fnemecek

Oh, man! This is really bad.

We're trying to promote Michigan as a filming location and we've got assholes like RSIG making the entire industry look bad. These guys simply need to be replaced.

No, the RSIG folks are quite nice. It's people like Mauser who need a boot in the ass.

**Jared9903** · September-15-10, 05:17 PM

Originally Posted by LodgeDodger

No, the RSIG folks are quite nice. It's people like Mauser who need a boot in the ass.

I don't doubt that there are some nice folks that work there. I did not harass anyone or insist that I take pictures. I was walking back to my car after talking to them and my lens just happened to be facing the building [[the camera was off) when they threatened to hurt me if I didn't leave. I'm sure they have rotated staff since friday, so you probably did not see the gentleman in the red Ford Fusion that has been causing problems.

**wolverine** · September-15-10, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by LodgeDodger

No, the RSIG folks are quite nice. It's people like Mauser who need a boot in the ass.

Or certain people get certain reactions.

A new person gets hired at a building's security desk. I walk in with a skateboard and casual clothes around lunch. A businessman in a suit walks in. I get stopped by the new guard and asked if I work in the building, at which the next instant I hover my keycard to sign into the building's system. The man in the suit is waved by. Once in the elevator, turns out he's not an employee nor does he know exactly where he's going. He's also not signed into the guestbook, which is against security protocol.

Two people just walking in, two different reactions right?

**torbusto** · September-15-10, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by wolverine

Or certain people get certain reactions.

A new person gets hired at a building's security desk. I walk in with a skateboard and casual clothes around lunch. A businessman in a suit walks in. I get stopped by the new guard and asked if I work in the building, at which the next instant I hover my keycard to sign into the building's system. The man in the suit is waved by. Once in the elevator, turns out he's not an employee nor does he know exactly where he's going. He's also not signed into the guestbook, which is against security protocol.

Two people just walking in, two different reactions right?

Great example there Wolverine and what you said puts it all in perspective on this RSIG and in most situations. Totally true "two different reactions" all made of appearances and assumptions.