Slog - Comments on From My Inbox

Comment by tabletop_joe

tabletop_joe — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:19:04 -0800

lol! wuz funy.

Comment by flamingbanjo

flamingbanjo — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:20:08 -0800

"Text-a-Crime" is a lame name. As this post implies, it should clearly be called "LOLtipz."

Comment by Phelix

Phelix — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:20:20 -0800

Obviously they won't look up the phone number of the guy who texts in the murder tip... it's the honor system, man!

Comment by w7ngman

w7ngman — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:28:11 -0800

I'm thinking #3 is right. It's no different than any other anonymous phone tip line, where they can easily get the caller's number. They probably just don't look at it or use it for anything.

Comment by cinenaut

cinenaut — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:30:34 -0800

The tipper's wireless carrier will have the mobile number the txt originated from, obviously the account name and contact info associated with that mobile number, the timestamp as to when the txt was sent, as well as the ID of the company's cell tower closest to the mobile phone that sent the txt.

It's not exactly anonymous unless the wireless carrier strips out the identifying information before sending it to the SPD. I mean, telecom companies aren't known for releasing private information to law enforcement without a warrant, are they?

Frankly, I'm more suspect that this is a Chief K. distraction from all the problems in his poorly run department.

Comment by scary tyler moore

scary tyler moore — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:31:46 -0800

and they'll STILL take three hours to check it out, if at all, kthxbye

Comment by PopTart

PopTart — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 14:36:22 -0800

WTF? Shouldn't I just call 911 if I see a crime happening? Or is this for when I get home and feel bad that I left the guy stabbed and bleeding on Capitol Hill while I gave a ride to a psycho bitch I can report the crime and alleviate some of my guilt? And if the tippers really think they are anon. then I've got some real estate I'd like to tell them about...

Comment by mackro mackro

mackro mackro — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:24:06 -0800

it's a preemptive strike against roving gangs of criminal cyberbikers.

Comment by inkweary

inkweary — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:28:14 -0800

If you call 911 a recording proves you made the call. If you text they can ignore it and later say "Sorry, we forgot to charge the phone" while they are actually out harrassing night clubs.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:36:35 -0800

How many people were employed thinking up this idea, and how many will implement it, and how much do they all get paid, and how many street officers' salaries would that sum pay for?

Comment by catnextdoor

catnextdoor — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:37:08 -0800

I just laughed WAY to hard.... awesome post.

Comment by COMTE

COMTE — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:44:57 -0800

Yep, just another "make the public think we're doing something constructive, when all we're really doing is implementing another useless technological 'fix' that everyone - including us - will have completely forgotten about in eight or nine months" program from your good friends at the SPD.

Comment by DJSauvage

DJSauvage — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:54:22 -0800

Well, if they want a police response it would be

"OMG the man w an ax @ my door just ran a red on his bike!"

Comment by Gidge

Gidge — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:14:40 -0800

That's a HORRIBLE idea! Please say it's a joke. At least most people are too inhibited to prank 911, but where's the disincentive here? This is either going to lead to cops investigating bogus info (and violating some rights at the same time), not having enough information to properly investigate, or ignoring calls because they assume it's a prank. Plus, it will be impossible for cops to stop people (or rather have the stops upheld by a court) or get warrants based solely on information from a text. I can't see how anyone would want this. Except for the cell phone companies.

Comment by Will in Seattle

Will in Seattle — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:15:03 -0800

Um, I texted that my car was being stolen, and they still haven't shown up two hours later ... are you sure this thing works?

Comment by egid

egid — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 07:59:21 -0800

I had to look at my calendar to make sure this wasn't another shitty April Fools joke.

Comment by Mr. Poe

Mr. Poe — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 08:35:06 -0800

Huh. They e-mailed this to you? Why didn't they text it?

Comment by who were the Stasi again?

who were the Stasi again? — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:28:01 -0800

http://www.thememoryhole.org/policestate/ny-tips.htm