Police sek right to jam cell phone signals

2009-02-01 06:47:02

#1

deeznutz1245: Connecticut: our chimps are stealin yo' faces.; +483|6909|Connecticut

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28956016

MSNBC wrote:
It is an increasingly common technology, with federal agencies expanding its use as state and local agencies are pushing for permission to do the same. Police and others say it could stop terrorists from coordinating during an attack, prevent suspects from erasing evidence on wireless devices, simplify arrests and keep inmates from using contraband phones.

I personally don't mind but I suppose it could become annoying if it happens to you quite a bit. Cell phones are a luxury after all. Even though I grew up without one and managed to get by I have become quite dependant on mine now. I really don't think this would happen often enough to even be an issue, but I am posting it for discussion to debate the morality of it. Your thoughts?

Malloy must go

2009-02-01 06:55:12

#2

FEOS: Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate; +1,182|6827|'Murka

It would be fairly difficult to limit the area of jamming so that it doesn't impact average citizens or even other law enforcement types.

It's complicated enough in a war zone, where the limitations are relaxed, to prevent "frat" when jamming. It would be nearly impossible here. There would be potential impact to first responders and other key personnel...the cost/benefit analysis would be complex at best, unworkable at worst.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular

2009-02-01 08:17:49

#3

FatherTed: xD; +3,936|6916|so randum

how exactly does it work?

Small hourglass island
Always raining and foggy
Use an umbrella

2009-02-01 08:24:26

#4

Hurricane2k9: Pendulous Sweaty Balls; +1,538|6117|College Park, MD

FatherTed wrote:
how exactly does it work?

methinks it would involve destructive interference:

https://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3383/83449875tg3.jpg

The two waves fuck with each other and kill the signal. Of course I could be totally wrong.

https://static.bf2s.com/files/user/36793/marylandsig.jpg

2009-02-01 09:21:26

#5

Lai: Member; +186|6567

In Southern Russia, if you get a little too close to the Ukrainian border, the Ukrainians tend to 'Hijack' your cell phone. Mother Russia doesn't like that either so they cut off the gas

2009-02-01 09:53:13

#6

Stingray24: Proud member of the vast right-wing conspiracy; +1,060|6861|The Land of Scott Walker

MSNBC wrote:
Police and others say it could stop terrorists from coordinating during an attack, prevent suspects from erasing evidence on wireless devices, simplify arrests and keep inmates from using contraband phones.

1. I can see that need.
2. Sim card, lighter, evidence gone.
3. Inmates don't need phones, that works.

2009-02-01 10:13:15

#7

Hurricane2k9: Pendulous Sweaty Balls; +1,538|6117|College Park, MD

Stingray24 wrote:
2. Sim card, lighter, evidence gone.

Not if they use Verizon. Mwahahahahah.

2009-02-01 10:21:53

#8

FEOS: Bellicose Yankee Air Pirate; +1,182|6827|'Murka

Hurricane2k9 wrote:
FatherTed wrote:
how exactly does it work?
methinks it would involve destructive interference:

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3383/83449875tg3.jpg

The two waves fuck with each other and kill the signal. Of course I could be totally wrong.

Waveform matching is one method. Another is just putting out more power on the same freq than the cell phone.

There are gobs of techniques.

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
― Albert Einstein
Doing the popular thing is not always right. Doing the right thing is not always popular

2009-02-01 13:05:00

#9

RAIMIUS: You with the face!; +244|7130|US

Sounds like a bad idea, since you would have to jam all cell phone signals...even the ones you might be using, or the innocent people trying to communicate with the first responders (a la Columbine, VT, 9/11).

2009-02-01 14:01:15

#10

Hurricane2k9: Pendulous Sweaty Balls; +1,538|6117|College Park, MD

RAIMIUS wrote:
Sounds like a bad idea, since you would have to jam all cell phone signals...even the ones you might be using, or the innocent people trying to communicate with the first responders (a la Columbine, VT, 9/11).

I think part of the whole digital TV switch is to open up that spectrum for a nationwide emergency services radio band, that would only be used by emergency services.

2009-02-01 22:28:24

#11

BVC: Member; +325|7111

As with any technology involving the interception/interference of communications, the morality of it's use depends on the context in which it is used.

Over here theres often talk of using it to defeat cheating in university exams, which has skyrocketed in recent years. In that particular type of situation, I'm all for it.

As a hypothetical example, in a case where a cop suspects a house of selling weed, but has no proof/warrant, I wouldn't support it's use then.

Last edited by Pubic (2009-02-01 22:30:09)

2009-02-01 23:08:17

#12

SgtHeihn: Should have ducked; +394|6903|Ham Lake, MN (Fucking Cold)

I seem to remember something like this in Rainbow 6 the book.

2009-02-02 01:38:15

#13

Bertster7: Confused Pothead; +1,101|6997|SE London

I think I've still got one lying around somewhere (mobile phone jammer). I have loads of this obscure electronic equipment lying around that I seem to acquire over the years.

Universities in the UK sometimes use jamming devices in lecture halls and classrooms. I'm sure a lot of other places do too.

2009-02-02 12:48:22

#14

loubot: O' HAL naw!; +470|6994|Columbus, OH

Oh Noez Howz Mah Bff Jill Git Mah Text

2009-02-02 13:17:34

#15

Poseidon: Fudgepack DeQueef; +3,253|6953|Long Island, New York

Interesting..

2009-02-02 16:25:48

#16

Diesel_dyk: Object in mirror will feel larger than it appears; +178|6410|Truthistan

I've been thinking of installing a cell phone jammer in my car to keep the annoying people who are driving around me from gabbing of the phone. I think it might make me safer. Around here people are always talking on the phone, eating, and applying makeup all at the same time while driving. Makes you want to choke someone.

For $200 you can get one with a 25 meter jamming area. I know some restaurant have them installed to keep morons from talking loudly on cell phones and annoying customers.

2009-02-02 16:42:14

#17

AussieReaper: ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°); +5,761|6569|what

And what if you want to call 000? (that's 911 for you yanks)

They want to place jammers in critical areas I'm sure, but if you see someone pulling up to this area with explosives inside their van and try to contact the emergency services, what good is it if your signal is blocked?

BF2S Forums Police sek right to jam cell phone signals

MSNBC wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

MSNBC wrote:

Stingray24 wrote:

Hurricane2k9 wrote:

FatherTed wrote:

RAIMIUS wrote:

Board footer