Posted on 05/16/2004 8:55:24 AM PDT by Amerigomag
Cell-phone use could be blacked out at LAX, the Rose Bowl and Universal Studios under an anti-terrorism plan being formulated by Sheriff Lee Baca and other law enforcement authorities.
Baca is exploring the use of jamming equipment -- already used widely in foreign countries and to protect President Bush -- to interrupt cell-phone signals if a terrorist attack was expected in Los Angeles.
The issue gained urgency after terrorists used cell phones to detonate explosives March 11 in railway bombings in Spain. Baca, who recently returned from a fact-finding trip to Pakistan, said a cell-phone jamming device helped avert the attempted assassination of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf on Dec. 14.
"We have to look at this very realistically," Baca said. "Public safety is more important than public convenience. We want to take the responsibility head-on and do the best we can, protecting people against terrorist attacks."
(Excerpt) Read more at dailynews.com ...
with the way cell service is how will you know its blocked or just another deaD ZONE
Will a small one that fits in your shirt pocket be avaiable for personal use in malls, restaurants, movie theaters? If so I want one NOW!
This is the stupidest and most unconstitutional policy yet.
Integrated cell phones were going to go away anyways, with an exploded version of it. Just buy the components and that is it. .... oh but the gov. can have free kleptomaniac access to dispatcher files and 911 phone lines and addresses too, as well as surveillance equipment of their own.
Beware
I gave up my cell phone a couple of years ago just cause I didn't use it enough to make it worth while. So a cell phone ban won't hurt me, but this is just stupid. I guess terrorists will just have to go back to small alarm clocks and electric timers.
A simple, handheld blocker which resembles a generic, cellular handset with two antennas is about $350US for 5 -15 meter coverage from several UK suppliers. More expensive units not only disable TDMA/CDMA technologies but also AMPS and Iden technologies.
Importation is not monitored closely. The FCC has limited assets so investigation/prosecution would only be triggered by habitual use in one location which generates numerous complaints to the providers and a referral to the FCC.
Just require all terrorists to use Sprint. That ought to protect most of the country.
Isn't Baca a Spanish term for "Cow"? So we have a Sherriff having a cow?
How about just having the cellphone companies give all phone numbers a short ring at random intervals? It might really surprise some IED makers in mid-blast and wouldn't be a huge inconvenience to normal users.
How about deploying the tech. in movie theaters!
You can also bet terrorist won't be using AT&T Wireless' GSM service in LA County either.
Actually the article doesn't indicate if Baca's target is on the voice side or on the SMS/data side.
Baca could probably convince the providers to selectively blackout their SMS/CSD/GPRS/CDMA2000 services without major complaints.
Under law, the importation, sale or use of cell-phone jammers is banned in the United States and can result in Federal Communications Commission fines of up to $11,000 daily per device. An FCC spokesperson said the fines have been levied against people for not holding a license to use the devices.
"The FCC rules are clear," said Travis Larson, spokesman for the international Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association. "Jamming is illegal, but whether there is an exception made for law enforcement is a decision the FCC will have to make."
An FCC spokeswoman in Los Angeles said they are unaware of any local law enforcement agency in the nation that uses jammers now.
I like that plan!
BTW Fox News just did a story on cell companies compiling a Directory listing for all cell phones and (sorry I did not catch His name) a Congressman/Senator from PA has a bill to stop/control them from doing this.
Which means they could have used any simple kitchen timer with an audible electronic speaker.
Don't tell Baca this simple truth. It would ruin his enthusiasm. The cost alone to ban/seize all electronic kitchen timers in LA County would ruin Baca's day.
Good. Cell phones should also be blocked inside of stores, inside of cars, inside of movie theaters, inside of city limits, and inside of public buildings including schools and libraries.
This seems to effectively be an outright ban on a certain class of portable communications devices in a certain type of government entity.
What about wireless POTS, WiFi, CB and private business nets?
What about within national parks, outside municipalities, on indian reservations (casinos), in coastal waters and on board aircraft in flight
It's a start. It's all due to anti-smoking legislation. Most of the cell talkers would have been puffers. Which is more annoying?
Cell phone usage should be banned when there is anyone within earshot,
I think I'll bring one with me the next time I go to the movies.
think I'll bring one with me the next time I go to the movies.
I'm gonna bring my cell company's test equipment, find you, turn your criminal @ss into the FCC, and laugh as you are writing your $11,000 check to the feds.
You don't have a license to transmit on those freqs, you may be interfering with legitimate communications, and you are trying to control people's lives like an environmentalist wacko.
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