Dispute Simmers Over Web Site Posting Personal Data on Police

NY Times ^ | July 12, 2003 | ADAM LIPTAK

[BenR2]

It is a threat.

I'm a cop and I have been threatened by people that would curl your hair. I tell them if they want me, they can find me at work.

I also tell them if they screw with my family I will kill them. No questions asked.

Perhaps Mr. Internet Freedom should put that particular disclaimer on his website.

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So, as a peace officer, you are entitle to issue threats? Hmmm.

[BenR2]

entitle = entitled

[Fred Mertz]

I've always thought that if we expose public servants and elected officials to the type of open information that they require of us sheeple, then they'd be more accountable.

[wimpycat]

They are "law enforcement" officers.

[wimpycat]

Law enforcement officer.

[CWOJackson]

But you have to remember. To so many on these threads police officers:

1) Have no rights, and

2) Are nothing more then jackbooted thugs.

All you need to do is check out the threads whenever a police officer is killed in the line of duty. You will see scores of posts immediately:

1) Defending the person who murdered the officer, and

2) Placing the blame on the police (and invoking Waco, Ruby Ridge and anything else they can think of) regardless of circumstances (it's always the jackbooted thugs fault).

Just so you know some of the folks you're dealing with.

[AAABEST]

First, I didn't see JB say that the site should come down. Which if that's how he feels it's extremely commendable given his occupation.

I believe in equal justice under the law. If we can't look up the cop's asses they shouldn't be able to look up our any time they want. If they can look up ours any time they want we should be able to do the same.

They're info is no safer with us than ours is with them.

[wimpycat]

Yeah, a bunch of kooks and crackpots.

[SSN558]

Perhaps Mr. Internet Freedom should put that particular disclaimer on his website.

or perhaps you should inform Mr. Internet Freedom about the privacy act of 1974. Originally passed to prevent the type of abuse that happened during the Nixon adminstration, it is largely ignored now. Clinton got a free pass with 900 FBI files. It is still the law and any piece of personal information associated with your SSN is covered in the act. You will get a copy of the law at the top of the list in a Goggle search, by typing Privacy act of 1974.

BTW it only applies to government employees. Half or better of the agencies in the U.S. are in some kind of violation. A criminal complaint filed with a U.S. court would really open a can of worms.

[sweetliberty]

"Have someone put my family at risk by posting personal, detailed information about me on the internet and I'd make more then a threat."

I find it more than a little disconcerting that anybody can go to google and type in a phone number and immediately get a name and street address for that number. Most people wouldn't abuse it, but for the criminal, it could be a gold mine.

[SauronOfMordor]

I wonder what would happen if he did the same with the identities of IRS and BATF agents.

[CWOJackson]

"I find it more than a little disconcerting that anybody can go to google and type in a phone number and immediately get a name and street address for that number."

I was to until my wife pointed out that it doesn't work if your number is unlisted. The only thing you get from google is the exact same thing similarly available from the phone book.

In this particular case, the information being posted is NOT always listed in the phone book.

[Sir Gawain]

His house would magically burn down.

[Fred Mertz]

What's so special about cops? Or firemen? Or elected officials?

[AAABEST]

That's a GREAT IDEA!

[AAABEST]

Yeah really, what is it with ATF and other paramilitary types and fire?

It's as if they come from hell.

[Brytani]

I've been around FR long enough to know there is a small but vocal group of posters on here who cheer at the thought of a cop "getting what they deserve".

Although, I'd venture a guess, if their lives or family was in trouble, the same cops they love to hate would be the first ones they would count on to protect their sorry rear ends. As I said in a previous post, the cop bashing that goes on in here disgusts me.

[CWOJackson]

Why nothing Fred...they're just jackbooted thugs who harrass innocent people like you.

[CWOJackson]

But some of our companions just love to wallow in that digust...just look at them here and on the ongoing Woodring threads.

[Brytani]

Cops have no choice but to follow the laws as enacted by their respective state representatives or the people who vote those laws by virtue of ballot measure.

Or in your world would you like to see the police themselves making up the laws as they see fit?

Does the term "law enforcement officer" ring any bells?