2000-2004 Archived Reports

[Joe B Cool]

Police want more cameras to help deter drugs, prostitution

Wednesday, September 8, 2004

By Michael Drakulich
Special to the Daily Southtown

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The successful use of surveillance cameras for narcotics and prostitution stings has convinced Chicago Heights police that they need more.

Police officials want to buy two more cameras and might be joined by Cook County Housing Authority officials who may buy two more to be used within their Chicago Heights properties.

Chicago Heights Police Chief Anthony Murphy said the cameras have been a tremendous success.

They were used in prostitution sting operations when police took the portable cameras and placed them along Chicago Road, between 19th and 25th streets.

After identifying vehicles of potential solicitors, police sent letters to vehicle owners notifying them they had been seen on video.

The letters were meant to deter motorists from coming to Chicago Heights to solicit prostitutes.

The cameras have been used for narcotics operations since March.

Murphy is pleased that the cameras' visibility has forced drug dealers away from high narcotic traffic areas, such as near Beacon Hill School.

"(Drug dealers) moved to another location which puts them out in the open," Murphy said.

When the city will be able to obtain more cameras and how they'll be paid for are questions yet to be answered.

"The city is looking to see if a grant is available or if there is money in the budget," Murphy said.

The city received a $66,000 grant to buy its first two, but the price could be as high as $40,000 apiece for a newer, more flexible model, Murphy said.

The cameras are mounted in a weatherproof/bulletproof enclosure.

The camera has a 360 degree range of motion and video is fed to a wireless receiver.

Camera movement can be controlled by a joystick, or programmed to automatically pan and scan.

Officers can use the remote in a squad car, and clarity is said to be much better than that provided by permanently mounted surveillance cameras.

Power to the camera is wired above the unit so it cannot be disturbed.

The cameras, made by RMS Business Systems in Buffalo Grove, have been used widely in Chicago.

When they arrive, Murphy said the cameras may be used to aid the department's special operations unit run by Capt. Brian Smith.

Has anyone received a letter from the police and what are the ACLU legalities of the police doing this?

[Wanna Ride Her]

Hollywood305,

The police can break the law in todays legal tactics
http://www.erowid.org/freedom/police/police_info6.shtml

They can't force you to break the law. They can set traps like leave cars unlocked for car thieves and walk up to someone and ask them if they want to buy some pot

[Ivel]

by GuessWho:

I got a question. First, I'll give the scenario. Let's say you pickup a girl right near another monger who was trying to get her, but she wanted nothing to do with him. He tailgates you, follows you all over creation, finds you parked, and snaps a picture, or many, but not up close most likely getting the plate. Later he must've watched you drop off the girl, maybe taking pics again, and drives by when you're alone snapping another as he passes. Needless to say this guy had time on his hands. If he goes to LE, can anything become of it?

There is very little LE can do under the circumstances described. There is no proof that a sexual act occurred. The two inividuals photographed could have just been friends and went to the park together to share lunch... to eat a bologna sandwich or a bologna tube sandwich...... what's the difference?

For those not familiar, there is the Videovigilante from Oklahoma. He has a website and does what you are describing, somewhat. Some cops have actually confronted the guy and told him to mind in own damn business.

If I didn't oppose with what the ahole is doing I would have bought his video but I'm not giving that shit head my business. I think he will send you a free copy of the video if you can prove you are LE or associated with some righteous group or with some non profit moral crusade.

Ivel

[Rolly Polly]

There are laws about sex acts in public (car included), but the question is whether or not it's worth the police's time to go after you.

To be honest I would follow the asshole and beat the shit out of him with my crowbar.

[Boxcc]

I agree with Daddy Lows assessment. Unless the guy taking the pictures was an officer of the court, i.e. LE, or other officially licensed private investigator, they cannot really do anything to you in a court of law.

On the other hand, if he can track your plates, find your address then send those pics to your wife, then what the fuck are you gonna do? I would much rather have LE after me than my wife! lol

[Hollywood305]

Rolly Polly is right ! If an undercover (male or female Decoys) shout the price they would be the ones considered to have proposition the individual for sex. Which is against the law, cops cannot break the law in order to enforce it. I am by no means an attorney at law.

[Daddy Lows]

Guesswho,

If anything, it would be only circumstantial evidence as the person who took the photos probably isn't licensed in any way, i.e. private detective or police officer. Don't tell me this has happened to you!?

My $.02

Peace

[GuessWho]

I got a question. First, I'll give the scenario. Let's say you pickup a girl right near another monger who was trying to get her, but she wanted nothing to do with him. He tailgates you, follows you all over creation, finds you parked, and snaps a picture, or many, but not up close most likely getting the plate. Later he must've watched you drop off the girl, maybe taking pics again, and drives by when you're alone snapping another as he passes. Needless to say this guy had time on his hands. If he goes to LE, can anything become of it?

[My Alias]

To paraphrase George Carlin -- "Sex is legal, selling is legal, so why isn't selling sex legal?"

[HarryR]

I really feel sorry for you guy in the USA. You get shit for doing something between consenting adults. I am sure that under Bush it won't get any better. Here in New Zealand we don't have any problems with the police & prostitution has only been decriminised for a year but we never had problems before that.

I can't understand the waste of police time & resources for what is a victumless "crime".

I am sure that changing the president will not make any changes here either.

[My Alias]

Here's a new tactic being used in South Carolina, a tactic learned from Los Angeles. LE is spraying skunk juice in old abandoned buildings to keep the street walkers and crackheads out. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmp...=/ap/skunk_gel

[Hot Forty]

Okay, so does anybody else carry a pocket recorder to capture the audio of what LE tries to do?

[Jimmy]

Just remember folks that if you ask a cop if they are Law Enforcement they legally can lie and tell you no.

[Rolly Polly]

They can do anything but there is a fine line before it turns into entrapment. A cop in Florida is not allowed to ask "how much for sex?" instead they have to say something like "what can you do for me?".

I have a friend who is a detective in West Palm Beach and he told me that the smart ones he tries to bust will just keep saying "what do you want to do?". It'll go back and forth between "what do you want to do?" and "what can you do for me?" until he gives up and tells them he is undercover and to watch their asses, but he can't bust them (he's actually a rather honest cop).

[Wanna Ride Her]

I went to my high school reunion bar mixer last night (social event before class reunion at Wild wing in mt pleasant)

I ran into someone I used to know, who is now a narcotics cop. I got into legal debate w/ him

He says that the Supreme court and declared that a cop can do anything he wants so long as he isn't intimidating you or forcing you which means he can encourage you and then bust you, so all escorts and johns out there, don't ever mention sex for money even after you are changing suits. It was a date in which you simply decided on your own to take it to the next step as consenting adults. Start acting that way w/ all johns until they become REPEAT customers.