Thursday, November 14, 2013

City of Seattle Unconstitutionally Surveilling Citizens!

The City of Seattle in Washington state has installed a wireless network that tracks wireless devices up to 1,000 past locations. It is not known what other information is downloaded and saved from cell phones, PDAs, Onstar, etc.  It appears to be a prototype and who knows how many cities are scheduled for such systems.  The system was rushed through the Seattle City Counsel and has been in use. (See http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/seattle-police-have-wireless-network-can-track-you/nbmHW/ and http://council.seattle.gov/2013/02/19/a-free-wi-fi-network-for-seattle/)  However, because the public has become aware of the system the Seattle Police Department is promising to have "vigorous public debate" about the use of the system. (See http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2013/11/12/the-seattle-police-department-disables-its-mesh-network-the-new-apparatus-capable-of-spying-on-you
 Bruce Harrell is the Chairman of the Public Safety, Civil Rights, and Technology Committee and can be contacted by email (bruce.harrell@seattle.gov) or by phone: 206-684-8804.   Contact information for Seattle City Council members can be found at http://www.seattle.gov/council/councilcontact.htm. The Committee's next scheduled meeting is December 4, at 2:00 p.m., but the agenda is not yet available to the public and no public announcement regarding debate over the issue has been seen posted.
http://www.letswritetocongress.blogspot.com/
Dear City Council Member:
"The 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." Fourth Amendment, U.S. Constitution
HOW can you rationalize a governmental WiFi network which accesses personal cell phones, PDAs, Onstar systems, etc., and downloads information?  Such a system is accessing and downloading personal information and storing it without probable cause, without a warrant, without any reason except future use!  How can such tainted information be used in any criminal or civil proceeding?  How is it possible the City of Seattle is NOT worried about the liability when people sue the City AND the Seattle City Council for such blatant violations of their Fourth Amendment rights!  The Washington State Constitution shores up the Fourth Amendment and says, "No person shall be disturbed in his private affairs, or his home invaded, without authority of law."   What possible excuse could you give for this unconstitutional behavior?  We the People want to be secure in our constitutional rights, not secure in governmental tyranny.  Dissemble the WiFi network immediately and make provisions to prevent such blatant unconstitutional encroachment in the future!