Police chief denounces 'cowardly' iPhone users monitoring speed traps [DC angry about lost $]

Washington Examiner ^

[CougarGA7]

Stop your bitching Lanier, it’s all part of the game.

[big bad easter bunny]

So the ap stops people from going through a red light? In a normal world that would be a good thing. This is the stupidest man I have ever read about.

[Hacklehead]

“Area drivers looking to outwit police speed traps and traffic cameras are using an iPhone application and other global positioning system devices that pinpoint the location of the cameras.”

I am not an Apple fan but that is freaking awesome.

[SES1066]

Typical government bureaucrat response. Things are best when the sheeple passively obey ‘The Authorities’. Unfortunately, your populace will engage in resistance so all I can say lady, is ‘STICK IT’, if you want sheeple go to Zimbabwe (I’d have said Iran a month ago!)

[traviskicks]

ping :)

[Disambiguator]

I love the safety argument, because it’s always bogus.

Case in point: a few years ago, the city of Albuquerque announced it was stepping up patrols of the interstates (25 & 40) in town to “increase safety.”

They were using unmarked cars.

[DieHard the Hunter]

> Here, BTW, is what people in the UK (land of the sheeple) do to their speed cameras (which they call “gatsos”): http://www.speedcam.co.uk/gatso2.htm

Judging from the photos, “Gatso” is the brand name of the speed camera, true?

[Syntyr]

tehy are lucky I am not in charge!
I say mount lasers on iPhones that can automatically ZAP speed cameras!!!

[Arrowhead1952]

Lanier said the technology is a "cowardly tactic" and "people who overly rely on those and break the law anyway are going to get caught" in one way or another.

So citizens are using technology designed for private use to beat technology designed to catch them in speed or red light running. DUH! People have been flashing headlights for years. I remember using a CB radio to expose speed traps too.

I have a note for Chief Lanier: If you want to stop people from running red lights or speeding, park a PD cruiser near that dangerous location - with its bubble gum machine/lights on. I will guarantee you that the motorists will OBEY said traffic control devices.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Ignorant SOB. That GPS feature has been on radar detectors for years.

[Ancesthntr]

Apparently, “Gatso” is one brand name: http://www.speedcamerasuk.com/gatso.htm

But like copiers where all of them are referred to as a Xerox, I think that all of them are referred to as a Gatso.

I find it truly humorous that the cost of the machines is 20,000-40,000 British pounds. Gee, the cost of a few used tires and a couple liters of gasoline (excuse me, PETROL) is considerably less.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

Interestingly enough people still have to slow down don’t they.

In Dallas they had Cameras but yanked them out when revenue fell.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

people who overly rely on those and break the law anyway are going to get caught" in one way or another.

Sooooooooo....the law-enforcement is actually working, just not in the time frame you want. Have I got that correct, Chief?

[mo]

well...it sure beats the snot out of chasing down career drug dealers...who like to shoot back....

Besides...its “revenue enhancing” police work...as opposed to police work that burns shoe leather, rubber and bullets...

[Jeffrey_D.]

“It’s designed to circumvent law enforcement”

as opposed to lawyers and politicians?

[Charles Martel]

Excellent! I might have to get an iPhone after all...

If you already own a GPS unit for your car, there are online sources for the speedtrap/redlight camera locations that work with most units. One I've used is at trapster.com; it allows you to select the areas you travel in. As people upload new info, you get update alert e-mails.

Works like a charm - and the data stays fairly current. You get a little chime noise when approaching a reported site, along with a small text box describing the possible threat. I just leave the GPS on in "map" mode. The first week I used it, I heard the chime and sure enough, there was a motorcycle cop hiding right where it indicated.

As the law enforcement agencies realize they're being out-teched, they'll resort to moving their ambush locations more often.

[karnage]

Freedom lives. But as always, under attack.

[Matthew James]

Waaaaaahhhhhh! Go shut down some crack-houses and make the steets safe to walk at night (or during the day!) and do some REAL policing!

[brent13a]

As a patrol officer in a medium-sized community I myself despise “red-light & speed cameras”. We do not have them nor do I foresee us ever getting them. We do red-light & speed enforcement the old fashioned way......in our squad cars.

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This affirmative action hired police chief is nothing more than a whiny bureaucrat. These devices are definitely all about the $$$. Here’s a little secret I’ll pass along: Traffic stops aren’t always just about that person speeding or not using their blinker......I’d say 25-30% of our traffic stops always snowball into warrant arrests, drug possession arrests, DUI’s, etc. etc.

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Obviously this police bureaucrat has forgotten the benefits of having real officers do traffic stops.......because cameras on poles can’t generate criminal arrests like a real breathing police officer can.

[John.Galt2012]

What happened to my right to see my accuser and evidence against me? Hmmm, your Honor, this is a picture of a license plate. So apparently this proves the my license plate was speeding or ran a red light. The burden of proof is on the State. Prove without a shadow of doubt that I was driving said car on the day in question and I will gladly pay the fine in question. Otherwise, dismiss the case. In Maryland there is a gang of teenagers that take digital pics of their teacher's plates, blow them up, put them on their own cars and spend Saturday night speeding and running red lights. Makes for a really pissed off teacher the next week!