As the cell phone camera catches on in America, it brings along a series of questions on where its use is appropriate. Supermarkets, health clubs, parks, entertainment venues and the mall are all beginning to grapple with customers’ use of the phones.

In San Diego, managers of public venues, such as concert halls, museums and sports arenas, have no standard way of dealing with this digital outbreak. In many cases where still and video cameras are prohibited, authorities are not searching for cell phones.

“It’s really hard to control it,” says Sara Zetts, event manager of the San Diego Sports Arena, which seats more than 850,000 fans a year. “Right now, it’s not a problem, but it’s going to become an issue when it gets more popular.”

Zetts says the arena isn’t checking for cell phone cameras upon entrance because it would back up the gates. However, she says the arena, which caters to sports events and concerts, creates its camera policies depending on the event. Musicians, artists and singers will often prohibit digital, still and video cameras at their performances to keep their work from being reproduced on the Internet.

“The issue is new enough where we can’t say ‘No cell phone camera use,’” says Dan Flores, associate executive director of the Gaslamp Quarter Association, which sponsors the annual Mardi Gras festival on Feb. 24.

Flores says the association prohibits the use of still cameras and video recording devices at the event. However, the Gaslamp Quarter Association does not yet have a position on cell phone cameras.

The Timken Museum of Art in Balboa Park has a policy against cell phones in general. Unlike other museums, the Timken, which features 18th and 19th century European portraits, is a small, intimate venue, and is secured by personnel at all times. “We discourage the use of cell phones if we see someone using a cell phone in the gallery spaces themselves, so that’s how we get around that issue,” says John Petersen, museum director. “But I can see how people can get away with it in larger museums.”

The House of Blues in West Hollywood, which books venues in San Diego, also has a no-camera policy. The House of Blues allows patrons to use their cell phones for communication, it forbids camera features. “If security sees you with it, they’ll tell you to put it away,” says Anjali Raval, publicity manager for the House of Blues.

The YMCA of San Diego County has taken the issue of cell phone cameras one step further. Pattie Griffin, v.p. of marketing and communications, says signs in certain areas, such as locker rooms and weight rooms, specifically prohibit the use of cell phone cameras. Griffin says the YMCA is protecting the personal safety of its families and members.

— Natasha Chin