This is Photojournalist Fred G. Haseney with his eye on scientology. As reported earlier (How “May Day” at Scientology’s PAC Base Turned into “Mayday”), somebody at the Pacific Area Command Base (“PAC Base” or “Big Blue”), scientology’s West Coast headquarters, in Los Angeles, called the police on me. When they arrived, a police officer told me that the person who phoned in their complaint to the Los Angeles Police Department voiced a concern that “somebody” (meaning Yours Truly) was seen taking pictures along L. Ron Hubbard Way where there were children present. A few minutes before the police arrived, a snarly Sea Org (“SO”) member Security Guard made a such a comment to me about taking photos with children present.

Within 48 hours, Janet Weiland, Vice President of the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles, paid a visit to the people who manage the property I live at. You may have read about that (The church of scientology’s Campaign to Silence Me). Ms. Weiland wanted me to be “handled” or “dealt” with. I wouldn’t doubt that the underlying motive to her visit would be my eviction.

At the same time, I’ve been repeatedly attacked, verbally, by a new neighbor who I’ll call “Pat.” Pat has, I discovered one day, an association with scientology (what exactly that association is I dared not ask). I can’t begin to describe the extent to which Pat has gone to disrupt my life, to discredit me to anyone and everyone who will listen. I even caught Pat in a lie one day. He has attempted to throw away property that I own. He has even destroyed my property (I found the evidence sitting at the bottom of a trash can). Pat’s actions mirror the Security Guards, which mirror that telephone call to the police, which also mirror Mrs. Weiland’s actions. They all want me “gone,” to “disappear,” to be tossed aside, completely and without care. Talk about being “Fair Gamed!”

Is my new neighbor a “plant” from the Office of Special Affairs (“OSA”)? Finding myself attacked on all sides, I decided to do something about it. Being a writer (under the pen name, “Jeff Wells,” I authored Jeff Chandler: Film, Record, Radio, Television and Theater Performances), I composed a letter. Not knowing “who” is behind scientology’s recent attacks, I mailed it to the very top of scientology’s local management organization board:

May 10, 2016

Church of Scientology International
Office of Special Affairs
6331 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 1100
Hollywood, CA 90028

Attention: Commanding Officer Linda Hamel

Dear Ms. Hamel,

On May 1, 2016, I was taking photographs of the street and buildings along L. Ron Hubbard Way (“LRH Way”). As you are undoubtedly aware from OSA’s extensive photographic efforts on public streets, LRH Way is a public street that is part of the City of Los Angeles. Taking photographs of LRH Way and the buildings along it is a constitutionally-protected right, as no one on a public street has any expectation of privacy.

Despite this, the Church of Scientology called the Los Angeles Police Department and LAPD responded. Finding nothing unlawful, the Los Angeles Police Department departed, leaving me to continue with my photography. They did, however, advise me to take pictures at the Fountain Avenue end of LRH Way instead of the Sunset Boulevard end, where there were children participating in “Weekend Celebration.” The person who had called the police on me was concerned that I would be taking pictures of children.

Subsequently, Ms. Janet Weiland, Vice President, Church of Scientology in Los Angeles, visited my residential housing and it is my understanding that in a conversation with the manager, she demanded that he “handle me” or “deal with me.” Having been a member of Scientology’s Sea Org, I understand this to be a direct threat by Scientology to the management where I live to either manage me by curtailing my photography on LRH Way or evict me. By seeking to deprive me of housing, Ms. Weiland and the Church of Scientology International have willfully violated my civil rights to housing. Specifically, Ms. Weiland acted to threaten and intimidate me in order to interfere with my enjoyment of a dwelling due to my exercise of free speech, which is a violation of my civil rights.

If necessary, I will seek civil and criminal remedies against Ms. Weiland and the Church of Scientology International. To this end, I have contacted the Office of the City Attorney, Los Angeles, and am contacting the American Civil Liberties Union. I am also reaching out to local and national media regarding the actions of Ms. Weiland and the Church of Scientology International.

Please be advised that I intend to continue to photograph LRH Way so as to document the dwindling number of people actually using the Scientology facilities around LRH Way. To continue doing so, before commencing, I intend to advise the Watch Commander at the Hollywood Division of the Los Angeles Police Department of my plans to legally photograph public areas,.

I trust that I have made my intentions clear, that I will continue to legally photograph along LRH Way without interference from or harassment by Ms. Weiland, the Church of Scientology International, or any agents or private investigators of CSI.

Sincerely,
Fred G. Haseney

All images (unless noted otherwise) © 2015—2016 Fred G. Haseney. All rights reserved.