Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Using free wireless at library described as theft
Anchorage Daily News ^ | 2/24/07 | ANDREW WELLNER

Posted on 02/24/2007 6:58:29 PM PST by conservative in nyc

Brian Tanner was sitting in his Acura Integra recently outside the Palmer Library playing online games when a Palmer police pulled up behind him.

The officer asked him what he was doing.

Tanner, 21, was using the library's wireless Internet connection. He was told that his activity constituted theft of services and was told to leave. The next day, Sunday, police spotted him there again.

"It was kind of like, 'Well gee whiz, come on,' " police Lt. Tom Remaley said.

The police officer confiscated Tanner's laptop in order to inspect what he may have been downloading, Remaley said. Remaley on Friday said he hasn't looked inside the computer yet; he's putting together a search warrant application.

Alaska state troopers had chased Tanner off a few times at other locations, Remaley said.

Tanner said that was true. He has a device on his keychain that sniffs out wireless networks. When he found one, he would park in his neighborhood and use his $800 Dell laptop to hop on the Web. But worried neighbors summoned the troopers, who told him to park in a public place.

"I went to the public library because I go there during the day," Tanner said.

Though the library was closed, its wireless was up and running, he said.

Tanner said he was upset that he hasn't gotten his computer back yet. The police have told him he won't until the case is concluded, he said.

Jeanne Novosad, the library system manager, said the wireless connection is normally shut off when the library is closed. But the library was waiting on a technician to install a timer and the connection was left on after hours for several days, she said.

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


TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Alaska
KEYWORDS: ak; anarchotyranny; internet; wardriving; wirelessinternet
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-126 next last
Strange. I can understand why driving down the street and piggybacking on your neighbor's unsecured wireless network could arguably be illegal. It was after hours, but isn't the public library's system wireless Internet system meant to be used by the public?
1 posted on 02/24/2007 6:58:32 PM PST by conservative in nyc
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

Seems like the police went a little overboard here.


2 posted on 02/24/2007 7:02:18 PM PST by The_Media_never_lie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

While traveling, I've stopped by motels that advertise wireless internet and spent a few minutes checking email and Free Republic's latest threads.


3 posted on 02/24/2007 7:03:36 PM PST by CedarDave (Vietnam Vet Remembers -- This Time ... SUPPORT the Troops, COMPLETE the Mission)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

Don't we all pay taxes so the libraries can have internet services? And a network at a public library...doesn't seem like theft to me. Sounds like somebody wants to make a big deal out of this. Dorks.


4 posted on 02/24/2007 7:04:51 PM PST by blu (All grammar and punctuation rules are *OFF* for the "24" thread.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

Simple issue. Is the public allowed to use the library's wireless internet or not?


5 posted on 02/24/2007 7:05:10 PM PST by billybudd
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

Great point!


6 posted on 02/24/2007 7:05:36 PM PST by sarasmom ( War is not the most vile of the evils humanity commits . There is always apathy...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

Aren't home networks password protected, or are many too lazy or technically challenged to use a password.


7 posted on 02/24/2007 7:07:43 PM PST by CedarDave (Vietnam Vet Remembers -- This Time ... SUPPORT the Troops, COMPLETE the Mission)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

He should give back what he stole.


8 posted on 02/24/2007 7:08:01 PM PST by ClearCase_guy (Enoch Powell was right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

Considering that the bandwidth is from public dollars it isn't unreasonable that anyone within that wireless hotspot be able to use it. The cops may have been a little overzealous.

However, illegal parking, loitering, or other public nuisance seems like a better approach if there is a violation of the local ordinances.


9 posted on 02/24/2007 7:08:14 PM PST by quantim (Do not underestimate the evilness of the 'soccer mom.')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CedarDave
http://www.wififreespot.com
10 posted on 02/24/2007 7:08:14 PM PST by Cooter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

I would like to know what law was broken. Does this mean that scanners are illegal?


11 posted on 02/24/2007 7:08:54 PM PST by taxesareforever (Never forget Matt Maupin)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

It can't be construed as illegal.

To connect, your computer asks permission to connect. The router then indicates whether or not permission is granted.

Make sure the judge understands this.


12 posted on 02/24/2007 7:09:12 PM PST by ctdonath2 (The color blue tastes like the square root of 0?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

I guess there is no crime in Palmer, Alaska.


13 posted on 02/24/2007 7:09:43 PM PST by Alouette (Learned Mother of Zion)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

If they told him to go park in a public place.....If he can afford a Dell lap top, and a scanner he should be able to al least afford dial up.


14 posted on 02/24/2007 7:10:29 PM PST by CindyDawg (Duncan Hunter Tagline in process)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: taxesareforever

Scanners are explicitly prohibited in federal law from operating at cell phone frequencies. Scanners sold must block access to those frequencies.


15 posted on 02/24/2007 7:10:40 PM PST by ctdonath2 (The color blue tastes like the square root of 0?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: ClearCase_guy

If he pays a tax in the community which goes to fund the library, did he steal anything? or did he pay for it?


16 posted on 02/24/2007 7:11:09 PM PST by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc
but isn't the public library's system wireless Internet system meant to be used by the public?

Depends on why he was using it instead of a connection that could be tied back to him.

"The police officer confiscated Tanner's laptop in order to inspect what he may have been downloading, Remaley said."

The case will probably go away if there isn't anything illicit on the machine.

17 posted on 02/24/2007 7:14:00 PM PST by PAR35
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc
I didn't know using something's that's free is now viewed as a crime. I guess the cops have too much time on their hands to go after the real criminals.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

18 posted on 02/24/2007 7:14:25 PM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: billybudd
This whole issue is bunk.

I would compare it to a drive-in theater.

Tune your stereo to the right freq and sit out on the hill, free movie.

The providers of the wireless service could password protect this stuff if it was such a big deal.
19 posted on 02/24/2007 7:15:07 PM PST by Jet Jaguar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: conservative in nyc

It's not theft, it's unauthorized access...and I don't know why this kid surrendered his computer BEFORE the police had obtained a search warrant. Correct me if I got the facts wrong.


20 posted on 02/24/2007 7:15:28 PM PST by rabscuttle385 (Sic Semper Tyrannis * Allen for U.S. Senate in '08 * Duncan Hunter for President in '08)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 121-126 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson