BUSTED BY SECURITY FOR FILMING THE ELEVATORS! (but I kept recording) [READ DESCRIPTION]

[@tkefan29]

Really, Simon? If you're gonna change your written policy, change its enforcement too. You've hindered our non-violent, non-disruptive activity with your horrible policies and security for years, and we're tired of it. We thought that things would change with this new policy, but you've proven once again what a horrible, mismanaged company you are. You literally enforced a rule that no longer exists, *feet away* from a sign with the updated list of rules. Our activity does not harm anyone, and if you simply left us be, it would be good for your business. People would see the cool elevators at your properties, come to check them out, *and maybe even spend a little bit of their hard-earned money on goods at your centers.* But nope, you simply can't let us do our thing. You can't let us simply document your *publicly accessible shopping center.* And especially to do this to a visibly disabled man, that's even worse! This guard must be a real low-life jackass to want to engage a man in a wheelchair like this. Unbelievable. I will never spend a dime at a Simon mall again, and you can bet your paychecks I'll tell everyone I know not to either. And really, "get permission for filming?" He's not shooting a hit movie or a prime time TV show with giant cameras and a massive crew. I could understand you wanting people to have permits for that. But he's just one person recording this *publicly accessible elevator* that anyone off the street in Ipls could easily waltz in and see for themselves. If you really expect someone to go to the mall management office to *maybe* find someone to talk to just to take a video of filming a publicly accessible elevator in a shopping mall, then you're all out of your damn minds. By choosing to engage Jay here, you've put the optics of your company out of your control. If you had simply done nothing, it would have made your mall and your company look a whole lot better. I (along with many others in this community) was actually starting to think Simon was a decent company as of late, up until this incident. But nope, your employee had to go and ruin that small chance of turning around your bad reputation, for the small *"benefit"* of not permitting this man to go about his harmless activity. Simon Property Group shall now be forever known to this large community as the worst mall management company in the United States, and there's nothing that you can do to fix it now. Nice going, Simon.

[@tkefan29]

@@blueauraretriever lol

[@davis6123]

You’re not going to/spending money at a Simon mall because one of their security people isn’t nice? Okay....

[@FloridianElevators]

@@davis6123 It isn't just this one. Simon has earned themselves a VERY HORRIBLE Reputation for ILLEGALLY enforcing their anti photography laws with how they treat people and they LITERALLY took that off as a policy at their malls, and I've been told by several in the community that they no longer care. I had a feeling they still were as bad as they've always been, especially as I appeared to be getting chased at in the Florida Mall, also owned by Simon, and it turns out, I was so right!!!! I'm sorry, but Simon sucks, and especially after this, they NEED to be boycotted and I hope they go BANKRUPT for good!!!

[@FloridianElevators]

Amen to everything you've said!!!! #FUCKYOUSIMON

[@over.4262]

#FuckYouSimon

[@DieselDucy]

Also I would have informed him about the policy. And taken him over there

[@NWIndianaElevators]

DieselDucy I agree with you on that statement! Why did I not think of that when I got confronted by the security guard?

[@ElevatorsInternational]

@DieselDucy I would’ve done the same thing.

[@DieselDucy]

Simon allows videography now

[@PNWElevatorAviation]

DieselDucy Wdym?

[@davidng2336]

@@PNWElevatorAviation Per the rules, "No photographs or video recordings of any kind for commercial use. Video is acceptable for non-commercial and non-disruptive purposes."

[@thecarwashelevatorfanatic7433]

And that’s why I’m always nervous to film an elevator in a mall. Especially SIMON malls.

[@johnoconnor4019]

And I was nervous to film the tour of the Galleria at White Plains, but since it will close down soon, I decided to video it so I could look back on it after its closure.

[@thejackdrees]

Interesting, I recently went to a casino for a comic con, happened to be doing a Facebook Live just walking around, showing around the casino floor (not in the gaming areas since I am not age appropriate), but I was tapped on the shoulder and asked to stop recording. I will say, the guy wasn't being a jerk, he wasn't hostile or anything. Of course, I complied. And yes, it is in the rules. Coincidentally, before I even saw the policy, I have filmed their elevators before and received no questioning other than one employee asking if I was lost. Also, at the actual convention, photography/videography seemed to have been often encouraged. But my gosh golly, in an age where people literally cannot LIVE without a device WITH A CAMERA on it, aren't these photography policies becoming somewhat archaic? Granted, I am behind buildings/owners/corporations enforcing policies because without them, there would potentially be disorder, but if you told me that one day that filming is/will be considered more harmful than yelling "fire" in a crowd, then society has lost its way. I cannot say I am boycotting Simon anytime soon because they have 4 malls that are 20 mins away from my house at max, and there are select stores/restaurants that I would want to continue to support there despite Simon's less than satisfactory reputation when it comes to policy. But if I have learned anything from the past decade, it is that Simon, perhaps just like a ton of other organizations, needs to get with the program and realize people having cameras and using them is going to be unavoidable.

[@SamSitar]

tapper was wrong to stop you. a customer has to complain about you.

[@davidng2336]

Per SIMON's Shopper Code of Conduct, "No photographs or video recordings of any kind for commercial use." It used to be that until they added this: "Video is acceptable for non-commercial and non-disruptive purposes."

[@NWIndianaElevators]

Yeah, they must've since caught up with the times... :P

[@tsitracommunications2884]

And non terrorist/9/11esque intent

[@Mattyice-zg8om]

I’m glad you kept filming and stayed! You don’t have to leave unless they tell you to, and even if they escort you out you might as well film it because they have no right to make you end your filming if your immediately leaving!

[@DPlifts]

Same thing in Israel but the law about photography is quite different from the law in the United States. According to the law here, photography in malls is allowed and security guards and staff members can't ban you from taking pictures or videos, but mall securities still asking people to stop taking pictures.

[@TheElevatorGuru]

This is part of the reason malls are dying. Not all the reasons, but part of the issue

[@TheElevatorandAirplaneFinder]

Wow Simon. Jay, Thank you for at least uploading this vid! This is letting me know not to film here anymore because I don't wanna risk getting confronted. In fact, I've filmed the elevators at this mall twice but never got confronted. But now that I've seen this, I don't wanna risk filming here again so I can avoid getting caught. I will still visit this mall since I do love the shops and such because this is a nice mall!

[@ItsPlungedYT]

Here’s another little tip, whenever you’re filming in a Simon mall, just use your phone to record the video. Because I’ve learned that the hard way as well, so now whenever I see a Simon mall and I have my camera, I’m just like “shit I have to use my phone”

[@elevatingohio975]

Plus, i used to have a iPod Touch 6G, but i had to retire it due to storage problems. so i now have the iPhone 6S Plus.

[@finnishelevators0397]

And you can turn your phone to vertical position if someone, especially security is coming so it doesn’t look like photography, instead like just regularly watching phone.

[@johnoconnor4019]

I have been busting for filming even while using my iPhone. It happened like twice to me. The first time was in August 2020 when I was filming a tour of Lord & Taylor in Scarsdale, NY. A security guard gave me a weird look and asked what I was taking a picture for and me and him had a little discussion about photography. Later in the video tour, when I got on the elevator to go down to the first floor, that same guard was inside the elevator, so I stopped the video, but then resumed when the guard left. The second time I was busted for filming happened earlier this month, January 2023. I was filming a tour of the Galleria Mall in White Plains, NY. While I filmed the tour, I saw a guard silently go up the escalator. At first I thought he’d never see me videoing again, but he did! Because then he came down another escalator and said, “Can’t take pictures.”, but I continued videoing. If you want to see the video tours I mentioned above, you can click on a link below: Lord & Taylor in Scarsdale tour: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/g6uWYmOmo6-WoZI Galleria at White Plains tour: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/boKYZmhqodKAh80

[@johnoconnor4019]

Of course, I was holding my phone horizontally while filming my tours, like I pretty much always do while filming a video.

[@Elevatorelectricgate]

I use a tablet for *my* elevator documentaries.

[@michianaelevators2582]

My God, Simon is an absolutely disgusting, paranoid, and greedy company. I’m absolutely disgusted after watching this video, after watching this I almost want to write Simon an email complaining about this incident. You are a very nice guy just trying to film the elevator in a public shopping mall, minding your own business. Then, Mr. Authority had to come in and disrupt you doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. What makes this worse is you’re in a wheelchair! Is this as**ole really this cold hearted that he has to get after someone in a wheelchair just minding his own business, filming an elevator. Mr. Authority is really stupid if he thinks you’re here to cause trouble, as you’re just here to do good things for the community with your elevator videos. I’m so sorry this happened to you Jay, and I’m gonna tell you right now that I’m never spending a cent with this disgusting company ever again!

[@tkefan29]

agreeing with what you said

[@TurboGibby-bh8bu]

One time I was recording at the Sun Garage Elevators, (AT THIS MALL), and the security guard said that I was not allowed to video tape in the mall. And this is another story but years after this, I went with my family to Great Wolf Lodge, Mason Ohio. And we were recording the slide rides, and the lifeguard said, "And just so you know, next time, you're not able to take the camera down the slide." So, yeah. If anyone gets busted filming by a Security Guard, Lifeguard, Employee, just reply to this comment.

[@SeattleElevators]

Today me and my FREIND east side elevators for busted by a security guard we respected him and stopped filming he said she were in private property and we could not film because "it is a safety risk to the mall because people can plot attacks on the mall by watching the video" a second security guard walked up and I said in my head on no we are in huge trouble but we were not he just asked us to stop and he gave us his buiness card if we had any questions luckily we did not get kicked out. But.. We filmed the anchor stores because mall security is not allowed to come in to anchor stores. After that we left the mall because we felt like they were going to watch us on security camera until we leave. This mall was not owned by simon

[@HSETM]

Those ones are awesome. I filmed them but I never got caught by security

[@jdrailfan5424]

I’m so mad of Simon, what he did is so cruel and unacceptable I hope simon needs to close this mall or change the damn rule (sorry for the language) he’s ruin the reputation of this mall If I come to Indiana on my vacation I’ll not waste my time going to this mall ever because of you Simon

[@MrWolfSnack]

Just FYI, they have sunglasses that have video cameras in them now. Just put those on. But also you can always call the mall's owner and explain to them what you want to do and see if they can arrange something.

[@Elevatorelectricgate]

The indicator sounds like an alarm clock. I'm glad you stood your ground!

[@SamG2808]

It’s super Annoying to get caught by a security guard.

[@Elevatorelectricgate]

You had the GUTS to continue riding these elevators. GUTS.

[@TheElevatorandAirplaneFinder]

2:21 Busted

[@SamSitar]

filming an elevator on private property is legal if you don't hinder anyone.

[@NWIndianaElevators]

Sam Sitar True, and I wasn't hindering anyone...

[@GardenStateElevators]

I usually don’t like to comment with hostile like this but, WHAT SIMON DID WAS SO FUCKING NASTY AND WRONG!!!! IF SIMON HAD REAL BALLS TO KNOW THE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS IS NOT JUST IN MALLS BUT ANY PUBLIC PLACE, THEY WOULD NOT EVEN BUG ANY INNOCENT PEOPLE IN THE FIRST PLACE! It’s rude enough to yell at an innocent person not to film in a public place when they’re not even doing anything wrong, but yelling at someone in a wheelchair who’s filming or using the elevator is ABSOLUTELY RUDER AND FUCKED UP. It’s also ILLEGAL to deny elevator access in ANY public place (especially in a mall) and also cruel because anyone whom is being mistreated or discriminated against has every and I damn well mean EVERY right to file a lawsuit and/or contact the corporate office number. Jay, hear me when I say this, I am so and I mean SO SORRY you had to experience this kind of fiasco. You didn’t deserve to be mistreated like this! I’m glad that my hometown’s mall (Freehold Raceway Mall in Freehold Township, New Jersey) is NOT OWNED BY SIMON and is actually OWNED by Macerich and Macerich used to not like filming but it seems to me even Macerich lightened up a lot as there very friendly and don’t mind me filming. And again, I am SO SO SORRY you were treated by this company who doesn’t have the balls to know what being courteous or what customer service is, and take this from someone who works for retail. All respect goes to you Jay!

[@ohiovalleyelevators8432]

I had this same problem at the Mall at Robinson. They are lowering down on places these days.

[@patricknedz]

What happen at Robinson Mall? They are not simon either

[@ProspectElevators]

Probably the only Simon mall I'll ever go to is Woodfield at this point unless I'm desperate. This is why I prefer Westfield and CBL over Simon. #BoycottSimon

[@tkefan29]

CBL technically has policies against filming too at some of their malls

[@ProspectElevators]

@@tkefan29 I didn't had that experience at Cherryvale which is owned by CBL

[@FloridianElevators]

Westfield is BY FAR better. Not just in terms of friendliness but maintenance too!

[@tkefan29]

the nearest Westfield mall to me is Old Orchard in Skokie lol.

[@tkefan29]

Most around me are either Taubman or Starwood. There are only a couple Simons near me, none have lifts in the malls.

[@kellangainey]

People just need to start understanding what elevator photography is, and why we elevator enthusiast have an interest I understand securities just trying to do their job though

[@kellangainey]

I got busted for filming. An elevator at a church was told not to film elevator.

[@txelevatorsinactive7193]

Wow that's so horrible. I really hate Simon Malls especially after seeing this.

[@jackx.cassway]

I don’t understand why photography is not allowed in certain places.

[@thejayson3748]

That's a Squidward

[@VTElevators]

please try to be more careful for filming on the next time, so you wouldn't get caught by guards

[@SamSitar]

other elevator sounds like a leaf blower.

[@reteach007]

More Like Simon Cowell Mall

[@NWIndianaElevators]

hahaha lol

[@evcaselev]

Is that a new mall? The elevators are old ;/

[@NWIndianaElevators]

No, this mall was built in the 90s.

[@vancouverelevators_transit]

No filming elevators?!?!?!?

[@johnoconnor4019]

Why didn’t you originally know that you could not film here?

[@NWIndianaElevators]

Well, to make a long story short, I've been to this mall several times over the years, and I didn't have any problems whatsoever when it comes to filming the elevators at Circle Centre. I have been here once after I got busted, but I didn't record because I didn't want to get in trouble with the security again.

[@patricknedz]

@@NWIndianaElevators It actually says non commercial filming is accepted, maybe the guy didnt know the policy very well which happens sometimes

[@TheElevatorandAirplaneFinder]

Same. I've been to this mall twice and never had any problems. But now that I saw this I don't wanna risk getting confronted

[@jackx.cassway]

Really? Simon?

[@vancouverelevators_transit]

Nice motor

[@HSETM]

Circle centre -_-

[@NWIndianaElevators]

aka the mall right near the HQ of Simon...

[@metroelevators4619]

#screwsimon

[@NWIndianaElevators]

lol