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NYPD Wants to Jam Cell Phones During Terror Attack
The NYPD wants the ability to disrupt electronic communication, including mobile phone calls, during terrorist attacks.
Somehow, the New York Police Department, after studying last November's attack in Mumbai, came to the conclusion that citizens' ability to inform each other and their own loved ones about an immediate danger is secondary to the need to block terrorists from using mobile phones.
Imagine how much worse Mumbai would have been had citizens not been able to warn each other away from embattled areas. "Holy Crap! Grand Central Station just blew up!" would be a very, very important tweet, no? Especially in a city like New York, where the population is fairly mobile through out the day and not sitting at home by the phone, getting info on the go is absolutely crucial in an emergency.
As you probably gathered from the above, my primary concern here is the gap between theory and reality, planning and application. The details of the proposal speak of "pinpointed" disruption, but to what extent is that possible? I liked The Bourne Ultimatum too, but how doable is that sort of thing, really? In other words, would the NYPD be willing to shut down reception in the entire affected area if they felt it necessary? This would seriously hinder media access, not to mention any NowPublic voice reports!
In testimony today before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly (pictured) said he wanted to take out that "formidable capacity to adjust tactics while attacks are underway."
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (7)
at 13:28 on January 9th, 2009
Once again they are the good guys, they know what they are doing, nobody else is important, the main goal is that they catch the bad guys...
Wake up NYPD! This is not a movie, this is real life. If my life is in danger or the life of one of my family members, I want to be able to communicate.
Maybe if the NYPD still thinks this is not enough, then what do you say about using cell phone for saving life? Just image a victim of a terrorist attack injured in the middle of the battlefield using his/her phone asking for help. What do you think is going to be the end? I honestly think that person is going to die because the help will never arrive thanks to you NYPD.
at 14:41 on January 9th, 2009
- oh well you'll have to tweet over wifi then.
Interesting how false flag attacks bring about more and more tightening of security and human rights... who'd have known!? ;)
at 13:33 on January 9th, 2009
A very disturbing proposed scenario.
at 14:28 on January 9th, 2009
This really does not seem very well thought out. Is the city prepared to defend itself against the numerous law suits where aide was not rendered because legitimate emergency calls were blocked? Does the blockage apply to just the building, the block, the zip code? Like a net there very well might be unintended impacts. What criteria will be used to invoke this and if inappropriately used or abused will anyone or agency be open to First Amendment prosecution. What certaintities do we have this will not be abused?
I sincerely hope this proposal is not some knee jerk reaction or based on some epiphany gained in the recent Mumbai attacks were the Indian government is confronting the Pakistani govrment with of all things, cell phone transcripts from the perpetrators while they carried out the attack. If anything the Indian goverment sees this as highly valuable evidence.
Perhaps a more measured approach would be to block certain numbers, such as those used by the attackers. ANI technology and central office phone equipment makes this very possible. This is but only one option and I'm certain other less impacting measure are available as well. Have they been explored? With so many qualified people out of work currently the opportunity may be at hand to finally examine security policy and their implementations more comprehensively.
Finally, I have enough problems completing calls on my cell phone. Cell providers are bad enough on their own. I don't think we need any addtional help in NOT getting our calls through.
at 18:51 on January 9th, 2009
I think that may be counter productive and could be against Constitutional rights as well.
at 12:50 on January 10th, 2009
Anyone can always have an old fashioned land line if they are worried about losing cell phone connections.
You pay for cell phone service..it isn't a "constitutional right" or affects your liberties.
During Katrina, cell phones didn't work.
When cell phones lines are overloaded, they don't work. Believe me, when there is a hurricane in Florida, many times your cell phone won't work because of everyone using them. Perhaps the NYPD wants the lines open for emergency services.
Why people are getting freaked out about this is beyond me.
at 09:50 on January 22nd, 2009
Most attacks using explosive triggers by remote control do not rest solely upon cell phones but other radio triggers as well. However, it makes sense to jam all communications (including cellular) during an attack. If people want to keep in touch with loved ones, then they should leave the area of attack to get word out they are ok, but first priority remains preventing other loss of life. For more information on how to defeat remote controlled explosive devices used in terror attacks, I invite your readers to view our site at http://www.bombjammer.com .
There we show many types of portable rf jammers used by law enforcement and force protection to deal with the threat of terrorist roadside bombs. Your readers should understand that this is a solution used to fight a problem, just as an antibiotic is a solution used to fight a problem.