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/
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!