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NYPD has some scary-sounding x-ray vans – and it’s refusing to talk about them
https://www.yahoo.com/tech/s/nypd-scary-sounding-x-ray-vans-refusing-talk-213013174.html ^

Posted on 10/17/2015 4:37:38 PM PDT by Altariel

The New York Police Department has equipped x-rays in some of its vans but it’s refusing to talk about them due to “security concerns.” Even though these x-ray vans reportedly cost $825,000 a piece, NYPD is staying completely silent about them and their purpose.

“Those are issues I’d prefer not to divulge to the public at this time,” NYPD Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said, NYMag reports. “I will not talk about anything at all about this — it falls into the range of security and counter-terrorism activity that we engage in.”

Bratton was asked to comment on a request from the NYCLU to file an amicus brief to force more transparency in the NYPD’s use of this advanced equipment.

“They’re not used to scan people for weapons,” the Commissioner added. “The devices we have, the vehicles if you will, are all used lawfully and if the ACLU and others don’t think that’s the case, we’ll see them in court — where they’ll lose! At this time and the nature of what’s going on in the world, that concern of theirs is unfounded.”

Called Z Backscatter Vans (seen above), the X-ray vehicles are primarily used to discover drugs, explosives and human trafficking by U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel.

However, it’s not clear at this time how the NYPD uses them, and there are certain health risks to be considered. The vans were first used in 2010, and U.S. Customs prohibited the use of the technology while people were still inside other vehicles. Occupants of a vehicle would be asked to get out before the car is X-rayed.

(Excerpt) Read more at yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: aclu; backscatter; donutwatch; newyork; newyorkpolice; nypd; police; xrayvan
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1 posted on 10/17/2015 4:37:38 PM PDT by Altariel
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To: Altariel
Hey! Is that guy mooning me?


2 posted on 10/17/2015 4:48:12 PM PDT by COBOL2Java (I'll vote for Jeb when Terri Schiavo endorses him.)
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To: Altariel

Death ray?


3 posted on 10/17/2015 4:49:04 PM PDT by beethovenfan (Islam is a cancer on civilization.)
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To: COBOL2Java

I can think of a few abuses for this technology.


4 posted on 10/17/2015 4:50:53 PM PDT by Altariel ("Curse your sudden but inevitable betrayal!")
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To: COBOL2Java

Wow...it must hot as hades in there...

And imagine the stink...


5 posted on 10/17/2015 4:52:01 PM PDT by Popman (Christ alone: My Cornerstone...)
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To: Altariel

Hillary will want to order several hundred of these to assist with her Mandatory Gun Buy-Back program.


6 posted on 10/17/2015 4:54:49 PM PDT by TigersEye (This is the age of the death of reason and rule of law. Prepare!)
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To: null and void

Conspiracy ping...


7 posted on 10/17/2015 4:56:58 PM PDT by Twotone (Truth is hate to those who hate truth.)
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To: Altariel
“The Nature of whats going on in the World" Well perhaps if the Intel is that Horrific perhaps they should inform the people so we can protect ourselves.
8 posted on 10/17/2015 5:03:07 PM PDT by easternsky
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To: Altariel
“I will not talk about anything at all about this — it falls into the range of security and counter-terrorism activity that we engage in.”

They will use this excuse alot on the way to subjugating the populace.

9 posted on 10/17/2015 5:10:14 PM PDT by ex91B10 (We've tried the Soap Box,the Ballot Box and the Jury Box; ONE BOX LEFT!)
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To: Altariel

Opens up a huge market for lead-infused home siding and truck panels.


10 posted on 10/17/2015 5:28:37 PM PDT by Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America
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To: Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America

I wonder if lead based paint will make a comeback...


11 posted on 10/17/2015 5:30:57 PM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.)
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To: Altariel
Most likely, the vans are being used in a test as to whether newly developed terahertz backscatter imaging technology can reliably detect guns, knives, drugs, and explosives in the street-level environment. Unlike x-rays, terahertz energy at the levels relied on in such devices would not damage DNA.

If such technology works, it would provide a non-invasive and non-discriminatory way to do the equivalent of an ongoing stop and frisk of an entire crowd and a close search of passing vehicles. This would help combat crime without arousing concerns over discrimination and harassment in stop and frisk contacts based on police suspicion.

12 posted on 10/17/2015 5:42:43 PM PDT by Rockingham
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To: Joe 6-pack
LOL! Or maybe you're not kidding. One can only imagine how much snooping of homes is going on without warrants.

Here's an item of interest for wrapping firearms and such:

http://www.universalmedicalinc.com/radiation-protection-half-blanket.html

13 posted on 10/17/2015 5:45:06 PM PDT by Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America
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To: ex91B10

Why not? Just look at how low/where the (illegal) War on Drugs have taken us....

Essential Liberty for security or some such yada yada /s


14 posted on 10/17/2015 5:47:43 PM PDT by i_robot73 ("A man chooses. A slave obeys." - Andrew Ryan)
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To: Altariel

This is a Backscatter system. It’s been used on the border, in Iraq, and Afghanistan for years. A smaller system was used in airport security, but have been replaced by the millimeter wave system which does not use X-rays.

Probably not a good idea if you are subjected to X-rays every day, like airline crews, but for the occasional use, this is not any more dangerous than the airport versions.


15 posted on 10/17/2015 5:50:30 PM PDT by centurion316 (,)
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To: Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America
Ooops, I read the link for the lead blanket:

"If a non-medical facility or individual places an order for either of these items, the order will have to be cancelled and re-placed." Hmmm, I wonder why that is?

16 posted on 10/17/2015 5:53:04 PM PDT by Obama_Is_Sabotaging_America
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To: Rockingham

17 posted on 10/17/2015 6:01:12 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: COBOL2Java

Wish they would please turn off the X-ray. Way too much visual.


18 posted on 10/17/2015 6:14:47 PM PDT by The_Media_never_lie (The Democrat debate was audtiton to see who would wear the American jackboot. Ted Cruz)
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To: Altariel

I can think of a few abuses for this technology.

Is gun confiscation one of them??


19 posted on 10/17/2015 6:47:08 PM PDT by jsanders2001
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To: Altariel

Texas DOT has them, too.


20 posted on 10/17/2015 7:16:54 PM PDT by ViLaLuz (2 Chronicles 7:14)
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