Debate - Should We Track All Vehicles?

Self | 12-15-02 | doosee

[doosee]

We can find a missile launcher in Iraq from a satellite and view a terrorist's face from that same image. Yet, when someone is carjacked, or a car is simply stolen, or someone is abducted, our law enforcement mechanisms remain what they were since cars were invented. We hope that a trooper randomly comes in contact with the criminals. Recently Alice Donovan from SC (who by the way to this day has not been found) was carjacked and we watched as the police were helpless to track where she had gone. Even uses of her ATM were not picked up until days later. The criminals were eventually caught the old fashioned way. They tried to commit another crime in Ohio. In effect, the two murderers drove unimpeded from SC to Ohio, through several states with a stolen car that was on a national alert list.

Rail cars are bar coded and can be counted and tracked simply by passing by scanners. Bar coding is one technology available for this purpose. A unique RF transmitter embedded and locked in a very unreachable place within a car would also be a possible solution. These technologies exist today yet I am unaware of any proposal to deploy this kind of solution to make all of us safer.

I would like to hear Freepers weigh in on whether this would constitute an invasion of privacy if our vehicles could be located any place at any time in real time mode or do you agree that this would be a proper use of high technology to help to ensure our safety?

[doosee]

I have pondered this type of idea often since the DC sniper saga and then more recently when a completely innocent mother in SC was carjacked and many of us realized how helpless and vulnerable we are to the criminal element. Your comments and feedback, pro or con, are solicited.

[steve50]

Tracking vehicles would be too easy to defeat. Let's just skip the BS, spin and halfsteps to prepare us, get the implant in our forehead and get it over with. After all, it might help solve half a dozen cases a year, and only someone with something to hide could object.

[Wolfie]

Nah, too expensive. Just outfit us with those "invisible fence" dog collars so we can't wander out of the yard.

[11th Earl of Mar]

I would like to hear Freepers weigh in on whether this would constitute an invasion of privacy

Uh... yeah!

Do you think the government would stop where you hope they would?

What makes you think that Big Brother would not also use the technology to track speeders? Those who wear or do not wear safety belts?

Why not also put a smoke detector in each car to track who is smoking with a child in the car?

"You missed your 5000 mile environmental inspection. Please pay this fine promply before we take more severe action against you."

And let's also track every car that drives into a gun shop, and cross that list of people tracked going to church on Sunday morning.

You will have secret FBI files being started on those the government considers enemies of the state. "Your car was tracked going to a strip club... Your car was tracked to a woman's house three nights last week..."

Don't ever give the government any power you would not want Hillary Clinton to have.

[doosee]

Tracking vehicles would be too easy to defeat.

OK, you weigh in against it. I don't agree that the vehicle tracking would be easy to defeat. Can you explain how it would be that easy? Also, there may be only a relatively small (statistically) number of carjackings per year, but this would work for all stolen cars. That number is very high and factors into our car insurance costs, etc.

[dalereed]

If you want it go pay for it but don't get government involved or make it mandatory.

I'll take care of myself, thank you.

[Larry Lucido]

Rail cars are bar coded and can be counted and tracked simply by passing by scanners.

That's fine. A private enterprise can use any inventory tracking method it wishes.

I would like to hear Freepers weigh in on whether this would constitute an invasion of privacy if our vehicles could be located any place at any time in real time mode

Yes, it would be.

[Stefan Stackhouse]

Setting up the technology as a voluntary option rather than as something mandatory would be more acceptable. This is analogous to putting permanent, non-removable identification or inventory tags on all types of stuff -- many people do it, especially businesses, and it does help recover stolen property occasionally, but it is not mandatory. Some sort of transponder would probably be the most useful approach, because then the vehicle could be located even if hidden in a garage.

[AK2KX]

Governments (especially the Feds) have absolutely NO FRIGGIN' BUSINESS knowing where I am or where I've been. Period. No buts.

[doosee]

Do you think the government would stop where you hope they would?

You raise a huge concern. It is a concern of mine also. However, look at the tremendous store of data the government has on you now. SS files, all your tax returns, property records, birth certificates. How many of these are being abused right now. Remember, WE are the government.. Personally, I have been on the interstate with a precious cargo, my family, and I have had tractor trailers fly by me going 95 MPH. At that moment, I would love for the troopers to flick the blue light on.

[steve50]

We'd switch collars on em Wolfie, be the end of civilization as we know it. Next thing ya know they'd be people eating unregistered cheeseburgers at MickeyD's.

[doosee]

Governments (especially the Feds) have absolutely NO FRIGGIN' BUSINESS knowing where I am or where I've been. Period. No buts.

First of all, it would be your vehicles tracked, not necessarily you personally. The conditions of use for this could also be that your vehicles location is searched ONLY when your family requests the location. This would have to be thought through. Yet, if one of your family was missing, are you saying you would prefer NOT to have this capability?

[11th Earl of Mar]

It cannot be that much of a concern, if you are willing to let the government track you.

Why not let them also track your phone calls and internet usage? Think of the crimes it might prevent. What would you have to hide?

[agitator]

A better question would be "Do Freepers believe citizens have a right to private property?" Think about it.

[johnny7]

Let's just skip the BS, spin and halfsteps to prepare us, get the implant in our forehead and get it over with.

It must be done! Video cameras in every room of our homes would also be helpfull.

Road-blocks and random body searches also come to mind.

Shock collars for every registered voter...

[steve50]

Another multi million dollar federal program to track mostly honest citizens is not an answer to our problems. If you want the system it is available commercially. Order the option and deal with your insurance company for the reduced rate, instead of forcing it on everyone.

[doosee]

Setting up the technology as a voluntary option rather than as something mandatory would be more acceptable.

That may be the best way to get it started as a program. A safety feature offered by auto manufacturers and rental car outfits. The problem is a national monitoring system on a common standard would be required. Not sure if anyone other than Uncle Sam can do this...

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

If you want it go pay for it but don't get government involved or make it mandatory.

I agree, there are private means available that combine GPS and cellphone technology (Lo Jack) available today, if you feel the need. I believe there is similar technology in the works intended to track "lost" children (more then a little scary!).
http://www.lojack.com/

From their web-site:

"LoJack is the only vehicle security system operated by
the police that was designed to actually track and
recover stolen vehicles. When you equip your vehicle
with LoJack, you've enlisted the help of police across
the country to quickly recover your vehicle if it is stolen.
LoJack gives you the power to keep what's yours."

Regards,
GtG

[xp38]

Exactly...if you want vehicle tracking Lojack and other systems like GM's onstar exist today for those willing to pay for it. If you wanted to do this nationwide for every vehicle it would cost HUGE. Not even sure how many operational cars there are in the US but it ain't no small number.

[End Times Sentinel]

Remember, WE are the government.

Perhaps, but some of "WE" is more willing to subjugate their rights as well as mine to the government than I am.

If you want your car tracked, go out and get Lojack.  But you don't have the right to install it on my car too.

Owl_Eagle

" WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH"