NYT
NYPD to use Internet to try to stop mass shootings
“The techniques would include cyber-searches of language that mass-casualty shooters have used in e-mails and Internet postings,” Mr. Kelly said in a statement. “The goal would be to identify the shooter in cyberspace, engage him there and intervene, possibly using an undercover to get close, and take him into custody or otherwise disrupt his plans.”…
Mr. Browne said the potential tactics included creating an algorithm that would search online “for terms used by active shooters in the past that may be an indicator of future intentions.”
Mr. Kelly said the technique was similar to those being used to spot terrorists’ chatter online. The new searches would target “apolitical or deranged killers before they become active shooters,” he said.
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What could go wrong?
ShainS on December 21, 2012 at 2:02 PM
How many mass shootings have occurred in NYC, lately?
Blake on December 21, 2012 at 2:05 PM
Isn’t this called PROFILING? Really think the ACLU would allow…oh wait…
Mitoch55 on December 21, 2012 at 2:10 PM
I was thinking more along the lines of wire tapping, warrentless searches,etc
So everyone goes through their little cyber filter to hopefully catch a spree killer. One thing for sure. Just the discussion here at HA over the last few days would have had the cops knocking on all our doors.
Frank Enstine on December 21, 2012 at 2:15 PM
I’m thinking armed citizens at the right spot at the right time would be more effective…
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ProfShadow on December 21, 2012 at 2:17 PM
Good luck with that.
RedNewEnglander on December 21, 2012 at 2:17 PM
Maybe they should just declare martial law and stop everyone on the street for questioning and searches. Maybe we all need to get a mental health sign-off once a month to ensure we have healthy thoughts.
Frank Enstine on December 21, 2012 at 2:18 PM
Wait, wait. You mean “Person of Interest” is a documentary?
radjah shelduck on December 21, 2012 at 2:20 PM
If I had the both the opportunity and a salable idea for upgrading my jalopy to a Lamborghini with other people’s money, I’d be on it in a heartbeat, too.
Dusty on December 21, 2012 at 2:20 PM
They are not using it to stop anything. It’s like showing up at your house and looking through your mail and tapping your phones. Then declaring they are using letter openers and phones to stop mass killings.
Frank Enstine on December 21, 2012 at 2:21 PM
“I’m searching for killerz!” said the cop who is browsing porn all day.
John the Libertarian on December 21, 2012 at 2:26 PM
Minority Report – You are gulity of future crimes.
Oil Can on December 21, 2012 at 2:27 PM
You’re right. They all see federal money and what their piece of it. They never miss a trick.
Blake on December 21, 2012 at 2:27 PM
Oh, it just occurred to me that NYPD’s position in counter-terrorism circle is likely much more national and international in character, than the usual association as the mere NYC police department.
Dusty on December 21, 2012 at 2:28 PM
“cyber-searches of language that mass-casualty shooters have used in e-mails….”
Got a warrant for that?
Looking at something publicly posted on Facebook or a forum is one thing. Looking at someone’s emails though?
Queasy on December 21, 2012 at 2:31 PM
I think the implication is that they will use the information from previous shooters’ emails to search public forums. If they are going beyond that, then it absolutely violates the 4th. (And, even searching the public forums is arguable.)
GWB on December 21, 2012 at 2:43 PM
It will be interesting to see how the demarcation lines end up on this. The left was going after the NYPD earlier this year for alleged civil rights violations in connection with their ‘stop and frisk’ policing effort (though the main focus of the protests was because they wanted to make NYPD boss Ray Kelly a non-viable option for the Republican mayoral nomination in 2013).
So if they’re on record against ‘stop and frisk’, you’d think they would have qualms about this kind of online profiling effort, if they were being truthful that their concern was actually the rights of the innocent and not to keep the Democrats’ City Hall losing streak in NYC mayoral election from being extended to 24 years next November (yeah, Bloomberg is more annoying than even your average Democrat most of the time, but technically, he’s never been the Dems’ nominee for NYC mayor).
jon1979 on December 21, 2012 at 3:02 PM
This ^^^^
and this ^^^^
cobrakai99 on December 21, 2012 at 3:04 PM
BINGO! Now all we need are cereal boxes with video screens.
Ward Cleaver on December 21, 2012 at 3:55 PM