The history of the story was that these people planned to come to Ocean City, (like they did in Virginia Beach) and pretty much tear things up.
Aside from their intent, wait until you hear of how and why it never happened.
Earlier today I did a story about License Plate Readers. Well, the technology goes well beyond what you had ever thought. In fact, so far beyond it would even surpass your wildest Hollywood dreams.
You see, there are certain settings now for this equipment. You can set it low for things as simple as expired tags. Then you can go all the way up to a fugitive level. In this particular case it was set to look out for the leader of this Bike Groups tag number.
Wouldn't you know it, the equipment went off letting the Police know the man they were looking for, (not wanted) was in fact in Ocean City. They were able to track him and then he made the mistake, (get this) of using his cell phone.
Now mind you, because of this technology Law Enforcement was able to curb any and all formerly known activities this group had been known for in Virginia Beach and things were much safer. The fact that there was Police presence pretty much everywhere the entire group went, nothing ever happened.
When I did my earlier article today I title it with the question, "Is this an invasion of privacy". Now, I'll ask again. Is this an invasion of privacy, since the people involved were not wanted suspects of any kind?
For me personally, I do believe this is an invasion of privacy. I could see if this person was under probation and or violating probation of some sort. However, there are cameras just about everywhere in Ocean City and from what I learned today, the Town Council has requested even more.
Even the innocent are being tracked almost everywhere you go in Ocean City. You have no right of privacy there, NONE. Some people are choosing to go north to the Delaware Beaches where they don't have such surveillance.
It certainly is scary now knowing what opportunities Law Enforcement has to follow ANYONE they so choose, either on the ground or cellular. Can they hear our every conversation even when we're not on a call? Better yet, DO THEY? Can they turn on our cell phone cameras without a warrant, DO THEY?
Is it one of those, I know it's wrong but better to ask for forgiveness later, right?
This article SHOULD make for one hell of a debate.
Thanks for letting them know this fool.
ReplyDeleteWe already know. We scream and you try to justify officer! When will you realize not all citizens feel your a demigod? You are not above the law! People are becoming more aware. Yes some are willing to vacate their rights for that little false sense of security. But there are still that 3% and growing that know no matter what.....shit is going to happen. And giving up our rights isn't going to change that!
Delete1:45, So am I to assume you don't believe this is an invasion of ANY Americans privacy?
ReplyDeleteI'm curious as this technology was supposedly utilized to do such and "amazing thing" of late and keep a biker gang from doing something that they never did in Ocean City. Why is Ocean Cities crime rate through the roof and second only to Baltimore in Maryland. Why has this technology that is clearly an invasion of privacy being utilized to conduct surveillance and wiretapping without a warrant or crime committed? Who is the in charge of oversight? Why is the public not entitled to do the same thing with regard to the police or other public officials? Better question is what do they plan to do with it next...? Use the cameras to see the movement of nearby garbage to convert that movement to audio and listen to your private conversation wile walking down coastal highway?
ReplyDeleteI usually agree with you Joe, but not on this. If Ocean City listens to your voice then they are on very shaky legal ground. There is no invasion of privacy in a camera picture alone especially if it is in an area where you have no expectation of privacy ... ie the Boardwalk.
ReplyDeleteAs far as listening to the conversation of the person, then that would have to have had a Judge's signature on it and I do not see the Judge authorizing signature captures from all cell phones in Ocean City.
I love my privacy and expect it. But I also understand that I want to be safe in todays world. There is a line, but I do not think they crossed it
dogg
No cop should know anything about a vehicle unless he sees it doing something wrong. No cop or agency should know where I am at at any time. Its none of their business! I've committed no crime! I'm no criminal! IDC if they are looming for a supposed criminal who last I knew was innocent until proven guilty! Cops do your jobs! Quit fishing!
DeleteNOt sure about the black biker group as they come here every memorial weekend. never much of a problem. of course this is an invasion of privacy, but it has little do with your first post. the police are out of control. i am pretty sure everyone knows that.
ReplyDelete2:02, I never stated the two posts were similar, other then to ask if you felt this too was an invasion of privacy. Thanks for your comment.
ReplyDeleteI THINK THAT IT INVASION OF PRIVACY.WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO FOR BIKER WEEK. THEY HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. BLACK BIBER GROUP IS VERY GOOD GROUP.
ReplyDeleteYou better go get an education before you decide to comment.
DeleteThe sheep cheer.
ReplyDeleteThey only cry when the wolf is after THEM.
The farm version of the 'slippery slope'.
But, on the bright side of things, I hope the police continue to do these power-tripping, over-the-top, beyond the pale harassment of citizens.
Keep teaching innocent citizens that you are their master. Keep old people out in the cold until you finish the Gestapo "vere ah yor pay-pah's??!" routine.
Especially keep doing it to the older people, the ones who still think the police are interested in their safety. You changed this guys attitude, huh?
The guy put his hands in his pockets while he was talking to the cop!! Dozens of people have been shot to death over that same act, so this cop thought they might be drug smugglers, but wasn't too concerned he might be reaching for a 9?
Keep it up. Soon you won't have ANY supporters.
Cheer THAT.
What was the name of this biker group?
ReplyDeleteThis is an invasion of privacy if the person had no criminal reason to be observed and recorded. OC
has plenty of cameras to record .
Only if they catch individuals stealing gas.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't y his same technology be used for June Bug week. KIDS from PA,the western shore,NJ, and NY invade OC and case all kinds of problems. Why discriminate IF you are using the tecnology to stop crime and property destruction before it happens?
ReplyDeleteCherry picking is not my definition of an invasion of privacy.Isolation of "an" individual is so limited that it poses no threat to the public in general.This is saber rattling at best to establish a fear factor but the math works in favor of the public.As commenters have always said,honest people have nothing to worry about.
ReplyDeleteIt's absolutely an invasion of privacy.
ReplyDeleteSure, the popo are watching members of a biker gang in this scenario.
what if they want to watch concealed weapons permit holders and track them?
what's stopping them?
you sheeple said it was ok by you?
how about if they want to track tea party members, or better, white republican males?
you see, it's up to THEM who they track and watch.
you sheeple are pathetic and don't deserve the honor to live here.
Bottom line is even though this may have helped the community it still was wrong. This person while suspect of being a trouble maker did not commit any crimes and as such should have been left alone.
ReplyDeleteNow if he was wanted for a crime or something like that then yes follow him and bug him but you can't do that sort of thing just because he "may" do something illegal.
Some will say that it kept us safe. Well how about if Ocean City had a curfew of 6pm for everyone ?
Yes it seems unreasonable but hey everyone would be safe in their homes just in case....
Of course its unconstitutional, but whos going to police the police? Fact is everyone that could charge them and make charges....is in fact already doing the same thing....where do you think they got the idea, the technology? Until someone important gets hit nothing will be done. Dishonorable leo will continue to be dishonorable, those paychecks tend to make them forget they took an oath to uphold ALL laws and the Constitution. These are sad times...when leo's are breaking more laws than the bad guys, shame
ReplyDelete2:15 You spelled "GANG" wrong.
ReplyDeleteThank God for the police, or this "blog" would be nothing but empty pages.
ReplyDeleteThey that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
ReplyDelete~Benjamin Franklin
AMEN!
Delete2:29 If technology such as this had existed in the 1760's there wouldn't be a United States of America today. John and Sam Adams, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, et al would have been arrested for treason and hung from the gallows. Patrick Henry's famous words would have been truly prophetic. Yes it is a total invasion of privacy and our God given rights.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't the police just follow them until they stopped? Got their asses out and start looming at tags with their own eyes? No rights are violated and the cops actually worked! And eliminated and computer errors that may happen? I'm sure since this was a multi state deal the feds where involved. Pleanty of man power. Pretty soon technology is going to replace your jobs officers! Less need for traffic cops and patrols with cameras!
ReplyDeleteWhile it may be considered an invasion of privacy, how many people in Ocean City were protected from the mayhem that could have been created by this group?
ReplyDeleteIf you are up to mischief and you talk about it on cell phones and your past is catching up with you, then so be it.
No, I am not a fan of Big Brother.
I am a fan of safety for the masses.
Nobody! Not one! They never got there and one cannot assume where they were going!
DeleteI'm not making a personal attack here but this is exactly the mindset Franklin was talking about. You are balancing freedom against big brother invasion of privacy and siding with big brother, Freedom isn't free. There is a price to pay. We have to play by the rules listed in the constitution. If not we are allowing the "fundamental changes" Obama promised to define our country. If everyone were permitted to keep and bear arms as was "permitted" when our country was first established and free expression of religion wasn't stifled arbitrarily, these gangs and criminals wouldn't stand a chance. Yes..... The phone portion of the issue is a fourth amendment violation.
DeleteEveryone cries invasion of privacy until its their son/daughter/mother/father who is hurt or killed by some idiot who could have been stopped by the surveillance. If your not doing anything wrong what does it matter if they watch you... just smile and wave..
ReplyDelete3:12 it is an invasion of privacy. We should never, ever be asked to justify a human right to privacy from government. Justification is not necessary. They are human rights endowed upon us by our creator. period. It doesn't matter whether or not your doing something wrong. Rights exist regardless.
DeleteWAY too much room for abuse!!!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Imclaim!!
Keep it up O.C.PD. The end justifies the mean. Now if they were to ignore the original threats and people were hurt (knowing this technology was available) somebody would be very upset.
ReplyDeleteThey do it all of the time and it absolutely crosses a line. Unfortunately not enough people will stand up and try to stop the people in "power" from taking our rights away a little at a time so we don't notice. I'm not so sure I believe anymore that police forces wouldn't go against civilians if it got right down to it. The Sheriff's department has a damn MRAP of all things! A machine intended for WAR! I'm sure they didn't get it to go deer hunting or fishing on Assateague. More likely they got it to drive through your house on a no knock search after they monitored your cellphone and "thought" you were going to do something wrong. Sounds far fetched but but look at whats happening in this country. This could be the all to real truth very soon.
ReplyDeleteYour absolutely correct. Not enough people are willing to stand up against these tyrant police agencies or the government that holds their leashes! Its obvious as months go by that more and more wicomico citizens are fed up or becoming. You officers are losing your cheering section.
DeleteThis is a clear violation of the 6th Amendment to the US Constitution.
ReplyDeleteNo different than spying on someone with a drone....
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure that they vetted this with the city attorney, who vetted it with the state's attorney, who vetted it even higher up the chain.
ReplyDeleteIf not, it's time to do just that. And after you do, it would be nice to divulge the constitutionality of the practice to the public. The cat's out of the bag, so here's the chance for transparency.
Amendment IV
ReplyDeleteThe right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Based on the history of this motorcycle group there's a possibility that if not stopped they would've invaded other people's privacy. But due to excellent proactive work it didn't happen and now folks are playing Monday Morning Quarterback.
DeleteHow do you figure the bikers would violate any ones privacy? That's one hell of an assumption to make. And if they were, how would they do so? Idiot! Shut up.
DeleteIf you bothered to read the article 7:31 you would have seen that they have a "very bad history". That doesn't generally occur if your not violating someone's rights. Judging by the demeanor of your post and your friendly words at the end, I doubt if you would understand.
DeleteA bad history doesn't mean they violated Rights. And I did read the article. You can't assume. Do I need to break the word assume down for you? Drug transactions well no rights violated because parties both acted. Fights? Not with civilians only rivals who are willing combatants. I could go on. You don't understand what rights are. And what you do I'm sure a cop taught you. Name one of your rights a biker violates. Now name some cops violate. Hmmmm who is more guilty?
DeleteA bad history doesn't mean they violated Rights. And I did read the article. You can't assume. Do I need to break the word assume down for you? Drug transactions well no rights violated because parties both acted. Fights? Not with civilians only rivals who are willing combatants. I could go on. You don't understand what rights are. And what you do I'm sure a cop taught you. Name one of your rights a biker violates. Now name some cops violate. Hmmmm who is more guilty?
Delete2:51 how about disturbing the peace... I assume your not too smart. Now go back to your club house and think about it junior.
DeleteDon't waste your time 9:06 your probably dealing with someone who bought the hands up don't shoot lie.
DeleteGimme the bikers any day.
ReplyDeleteLocal bikers around here are damn good people. From the military guys fire and police bikers hell the 1% ones I've met are even nicer! If you think bikers are the problem around here just go head and shoot yourself!
Deletemakes you wonder why the MD Legislature needs SB 787
ReplyDeleteA bit over the edge , if these bikers look for trouble they will find it. I used to do the same , I found a lot of trouble and am very sorry.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that the police have been crucified lately , it's so easy to obey the law.
We have grown into a society of hate police. Just a warning , we need them , give em a break.
Back to the question at hand , yes this was an invasion of privacy , however I do believe given the record of these bikers that some of this was warranted .
MY thought is if there is probable cause and the license plate reader causes your tag to send an alert, then your cell phone gets a ping Police should be able to use your phone GPS. There is definitely probable cause due to pass actions.
ReplyDeleteAs for as listening in, they are wrong and are violating the law on search and seizure.
There is no probable cause to invade their privacy. They have not created a disturbance or been involved in a crime.
If this bothers you then don't go to O.C....don't go to the mall....don't go to a hospital..... Plainly just don't go...stay home ....if your not doing anything wrong then you have nothing to worry about....duh common sense people..
ReplyDeleteI seriously doubt they listened in. A little far out. As for the rest I don't give a crap because I am doing nothing wrong. ImClain you crack me up. What are you a one of those world travelers that meets in dark alleys with Russians lol Give it a rest dude. The bottom line no crime no foul by either side. All good. Go read another Greshem novel Clain lol
ReplyDelete3/16/2015 State police car pull in drive way of home for sale, both persons not in uniform. one picks the lock, other stands outside, one goes inside, closes door , other one goes around the back and goes in. If you had picked the lock and went in this house you would be in jail. But this cop use his car to make this look ok, cops can do thing and get away with it
ReplyDeletePS: if you are the cop and I start having problems remember your car had a tag on it!
It's troubling and comforting at the same time. I would advise people to really think about our rights as citizens and human beings our Founding Fathers insisted we were entitled to. Most would conclude this is wrong and just shouldn't be tolerated.
ReplyDeleteOne post above quoted Ben Franklin with regards to liberty. It's a thought worth considering.
Does't matter......They are rules "invasion of privacy laws". They would only get a warrant to listen to phone calls if needed it in court. They didn't need it in court so they took it upon themselves to "spy" on Americans, innocent Americans!!! This is absolutely NOT RIGHT!!!! But, how do we prove it?? There has to be a civil suit! But how again do we get the cops to turn over the information.
ReplyDelete2 things. They may be watching the June bugs, who would know? The other 'thing" is that cops pull the bulbs out of their tag lights all the time, so what makes you think that was the correct tag on the cruiser?
ReplyDeleteeveryday, at 420 am My cell phone lights up ( no pun intended ) for no reason. it has been doing this for a long time now.
ReplyDeleteCops can't use a reader on the road without causing a danger. If they obey laws as they should they would only read tags traveling in his pack. So in theory he has to let cars pass him to read more tags or speed past to read more. One is unsafe the other breaks the law. But I forgot , that's what they do. Break five laws to tell me I've broken one.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see so many people are willing to give up their rights for an idea of some security. This is why we keep electing politicians like BO, Clinton, O'Malley, Ireton, Pollitt, the Bushes, Pelosi, and others of the same type. We don't care anymore what lengths the government will go to protect and coddle us.
ReplyDeleteThe black motorcycle group/gang had been coming to OC since 2006 and never caused any more trouble than any other large group that came there. Matter of fact they were sometimes better behaved than the Firemen.
You are right. The bikers know they're being watched. They don't want any heat. But the fire fighters and cops show their asses during the convention. And they get away with it because of who they are. Untouchable. Only way these guys have issues is when their group black balls them.
Deletelmao, this is nothing compared to the capabilities the government has put in place to track us. every purchase every call every flight every time you move you are tracked! Hell they can even listen in when you phone is off, or better yet watch you in your living room through your xbox or your samsung tv. Get used to it! revelations talks about the mark of the beast. Well know you know what the beast is, it is the technology the governments of the world use against their slaves/citizens! Get used to it!
ReplyDeleteI know for a FACT our Sherriffs office has used people's ONSTAR to listen to them without a warrant and track them. In fact. I also know of a case where they placed a GPS tracker on a local business persons car to track him. They thought he was doing something illegal. It turned out they were wrong and they took it off. But to this day he has no clue and only a few do.
ReplyDeleteHello...Snowden said this is everywhere...Not just in Ocean City but all over the U.S.! Yes it is an invasion of privacy! BUTT again if you don't beak the law what can they see or find????
ReplyDeletePhffft - the very same people who whine about their privacy are busy posting photos and personal info on FaceBook all day long.
ReplyDeleteDifference is they post the pics. Its their right to do what they want. They are free. Cops aren't. They are held to a stricter standard. Loosely held but held.
DeleteYou guys who say if your not doing anything wrong you have nothing to hide please turn over your computers and cell phones asap. I want to see what's on them. O why not, because you have s*** to hide. Everyone does!
ReplyDeleteI don't use facebook or anything. why let the government know about you.
ReplyDeleteone big emp from the sun and we are back in the stone ages!
To all the people that say you don't have to worry if you don't break the law, I say I doubt there is an adult in this country who doesn't knowingly or unknowingly break some kind of law at least once a month.
ReplyDeleteyou don't have to worry about breaking the law if you are rich! For the rest of us, oh well! guess it sucks to not be rich! Now shut up and get back in line! lol!
ReplyDelete“If they say, ‘If you’ve done nothing wrong, you have nothing to hide,’ first of all that’s a great quote from Joseph Goebbels, and secondly that’s totally irrelevant… That’s right out of Hitler’s playbook,” he said. “If you’re going to tell a lie, make it a big one and tell it frequently until it’s believed and that’s what’s going on here.”
ReplyDeleteAs a former member of OCPD, & knowing the equipment, etc that was available to us, I marvel at the technology that they now possess. Hopefully it will be used in accordance to all laws, etc. What a great Agency!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou were a douche bag then! And I see your no fine wine!
DeleteIf the cops had not handled this correctly and OC got trashed, you'd be whining about that.
ReplyDeleteIf they had confronted these creeps and there had been violence, you'd be crapping yourselves about that outcome.
As it is, they used modern technology to safeguard the city and avoid confrontation. I've got no problem with that. Any of you heroes who feel the need can apply for work anytime with the PD and show them exactly how you think it should be done.
And NO, before the crap starts, I am not associated with law enforcement.
Imagine five of these bikers decide to go to the bank to pay bills and withdraw some cash for the campground and bar bills. While standing in line, some other idiot has a gun and a note at the teller's window.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, the cops monitoring these guys' positions gets a bank robbery alarm at the same address.
What happens next?
It ain't gonna be pretty for the bikers, and the police will be exhonerated from the shootings...
Sadly we can thank ex president Bush for most of today's infringements on our privacy. 911 opened the doors for what I like to call the new KGB. We as Americans have forgot what it once meant to be Americans.the people of this country once stood up as one voice and said no to over taxation and an overpowering government .a lot of people these days don't even know how it all started. It didn't start with some big dumping of tea in Boston harbor as your government so wrongfully taught us in school. It all started over get this a one penny tax on paper. That's right tea had nothing to with it. Sorry getting off track here.
ReplyDeleteNow we move to current times and here we sit with our government spending billions on espionage not to spy on other countries but to spy on me and you Americans. I simply can't understand why so many Americans these days are so quick to give up there rights under the constitution. Why in the world would we simply cave in and toss our rights in the trash because we where attacked on 911 is beyond me. The first thing our government does when attacked is attack it's own citizens. WW2 for Americans started with the bombing of pearl harbor and what was the first thing our beloved American government did? Place between 110000 and 120000 Americans of Japanese decent in internment camps. In the process stole every right these people had as Americans from them. Now 911 comes along the higher ups in government knew they couldn't get away with doing a similar act so they decided it's time to start taking the rights of all Americans. Knowing they couldn't do it all at once they took there time taking a few here and there and still doing so today. Simply put until we as a people stand as one as our father's did this nation will slowly slip away from being the once great nation we once where. I could go on and on how wrong it is to be spied on by your own government for no good reason but to be honest this is a sore subject with me and I could go on all day about it so I'll just leave you with one simple line a great American once said.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty. Liberty does not mean your government has to know your every move.
Thanks, 449! You are exactly on point!
ReplyDelete"...what was the first thing our beloved American government did? Place between 110000 and 120000 Americans of Japanese decent in internment camps."
ReplyDelete4:49: You are absolutely spot on. According to a lot of people who post on here you don't have anything to worry about if you're not doing anything wrong. Obviously those people are delusional.
Bottom line: The cops weren't infringing on anyone's rights. They just happened to be everywhere the bikers happened to be. What's wrong with that? Nothing, UNLESS, the bikers rights to start trouble were infringed upon.
ReplyDeleteI see the libtards are hard at it as usual lol. Thank Ohblaablaa for the endless wave of muslims streaming into our country. You will all be eating your words when you are are standing in line to get health care and food. Ohbammies new world order is coming. Keep drinking the kool aid lol
ReplyDelete