PDA

View Full Version : TX-Austin looking to deputize "code compliance volunteers" to snitch on people with iPhone




Anti Federalist
11-11-2011, 01:48 PM
Oh, did I mention, that your tax dollars would be used to buy the block captains their snitch tools?

Somehow, this is not what I imagined when dissolving city cop departments and sheriff's deputizing people.


Austin, Texas Explores Photo Parking Snitch Tickets

City council in Austin, Texas considers allowing residents to issue handicap space parking tickets to other drivers with an iPhone app.

http://thenewspaper.com/news/36/3626.asp

Residents of Austin, Texas may soon have the power to issue parking tickets by taking a few photographs of someone else's car with their smartphones. A unanimous council voted on October 20 to explore the concept of deputizing vigilante meter maids using an iPhone app. Disabled advocates pushed the program at the council meeting in the hopes of guaranteeing easier parking. They were joined by others who were just interested in writing the $511 tickets.

"I am a community policer from way back," one resident said at the meeting. "I'm also one of the first code compliance volunteers in my neighborhood... Low income people like me can't even afford a cell phone, so I think if you're going to allow this you should also expand this ordinance to include the ability of the police department and code compliance to purchase smartphones for their volunteers."

Councilman Kathie Tovo noted a number of volunteers had already emailed looking to join the program. Under Texas Transportation Code Section 681.0101, cities may deputize volunteer meter maids who swear an oath after taking a four-hour class before they can start ticketing.

"I can't help but think that there's some solution that does involve the use of smartphone technology putting those powers in the hands of citizens and enabling them to help the city extend its reach to do a better job of enforcing handicapped parking restrictions," Councilman Chris Riley said.

The non-profit group Parking Mobility, created by George Soros-funded organizations, created the Android, Blackberry and iPhone parking ticket app which encourages cities to adopt the program because they can "generate revenue." The system requires a person take three photographs of the alleged violator -- one of the license plate, one of the windshield and one showing the car and the handicapped parking sign. The software sends the photos and the GPS location to the city so it can issue the expensive ticket.

"There's really no better enforcement tool than our citizens policing themselves," Councilman Mike Martinez said. "I think the merits of this program deserve our support."

The council ordered the city manager to create a report on the feasibility of the program within ninety days.

donnay
11-11-2011, 01:53 PM
Agenda 21

devil21
11-11-2011, 02:10 PM
Will the accused be able to confront the accuser in court? Or are you just "allowed" to appeal to the same gov't bureacrats that stand to gain the revenue from your ticket? I don't like the secret police precedent this sort of stuff sets.

Krugerrand
11-11-2011, 02:36 PM
It might be fun if you can personally sue the snitchers when they are wrong.

ShaneEnochs
11-11-2011, 02:45 PM
If you see something, say something

Be funny if it weren't scary.

Krugerrand
11-11-2011, 02:48 PM
Another appropriate response would be to join up and report everybody constantly with 'not much' to go on. Bog the system down and get people so mad that they force the government to shut down the sntich-force.

SpicyTurkey
11-11-2011, 02:54 PM
Another appropriate response would be to join up and report everybody constantly with 'not much' to go on. Bog the system down and get people so mad that they force the government to shut down the sntich-force.

That's a great plan.

BattleFlag1776
11-11-2011, 02:58 PM
Can't afford a salaried cop? Deputize the neighborhood watch group and create a posse!

Austin isn't the first city to try this and it won't be the last. Fortunately, most folks tend to have a very short fuse when it comes to these revenue generating schemes. Especially when if impacts them financially. The city would be better off just realizing that they need to fire a few more bodies, order fewer new "official" vehicles, etc., rather than attempting to continue to operate as if there is no economic distress in the country and they are omnipotent. Time to give the people a little breathing room down there!

amy31416
11-11-2011, 03:00 PM
They should follow the bureaucrats around and issue them tickets.

Pericles
11-11-2011, 06:17 PM
80% of what is wrong with Texas originates in Austin.

aGameOfThrones
11-11-2011, 06:22 PM
"Strength Through Unity, Unity Through Faith".

devil21
11-11-2011, 11:22 PM
80% of what is wrong with Texas originates in Austin.

I assume you mean because it's the capital of the state, right?

Pericles
11-12-2011, 02:59 AM
I assume you mean because it's the capital of the state, right?

That, combined with the fact that Austin is the city in Texas that wants to be San Francisco, is a fatal combination.