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from the where-there's-a-will-there's-a...waze dept.
NYPD asks Google to scrap Waze's DUI checkpoints
The NYPD has sent Google a cease-and-desist letter, asking it to axe a Waze feature that allows users to mark cops' locations on the navigation app. Based on the letter first seen by Streetsblog NYC and CBS New York, authorities believe the feature is making it harder to enforce the law and keep the roads safe. The NYPD sent the cease-and-desist just a couple of weeks after Waze debuted speed camera notifications, but the cops' letter mostly focused on the fact that the ability allows users to give each other a heads-up about sobriety checkpoints.
[...] [Based] on the statement it provided to NYT, [Google] doesn't have any intention to give in to the NYPD's demand. It told the publication that safety is a top priority for the company and that "informing drivers about upcoming speed traps allows them to be more careful and make safer decisions when they're on the road."
Also at Gizmodo.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by ShadowSystems on Friday February 08 2019, @04:23AM (7 children)
Google can rightly claim that such an order would violate their customers' 1st Amendment Rights. You can not prohibit the public from publicly & peaceably discussing public affairs, and a DUI checkpoint would fall squarely in this catagory. The cops may not LIKE that the public is discussing the checkpoints in such a way that warns other drivers of the locations of same, but trying to prohibit the public from doing so would instantly get the police sued for Constitutional Rights violations.
An anecdotal example of this was seen in my home town about a decade ago. A man had gotten busted by a DUI checkpoint & thought it had been unfair. He circled back around to a point about two blocks before the checkpoint, stopped beside the road, & held up a sign that read "DUI checkpoint ahead! AVOID!"
The cops tried to arrest him for interfering with the checkpoint, obstruction of justice, & every other bullshit charge they could think of to lob at him. All it took was his one call, made to a lawyer, & the case got dropped faster than you can say "Freedom of Speach". They couldn't stop a public citizen from peaceful protest, & holding up a sign angry about said checkpoint was dead-on "peaceful protest". His lawyer reminded the cops that the STATE didn't have enough money to pay his client's winnings should it go to court much less our CITY, so the city had to drop all charges.
The debate on if a corporation can have Rights is another matter, but their *customers* certainly do, & one of those Rights is the right to post their Free Speach about the actions of public employees engaged in their public duties in a public space.
TL;DR: the cops don't like it, tough shit. The Constitution is on Google's side.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday February 08 2019, @03:45PM (2 children)
Meanwhile, Mr Activist spent a night in jail, had his car towed, missed work, and paid his lawyer x k$ to make the problem he caused for himself to go away.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Friday February 08 2019, @04:24PM
AC above is one of the sheeple. There is no price too steep for asserting your rights. Ask the people who rebelled against England, to establish the US of A.
(Score: 2) by Oakenshield on Friday February 08 2019, @04:29PM
In other words, you owe him a debt of gratitude for his own self-sacrifice to prevent bullies under color of law from violating the rights of his fellow citizens. You post infers that he must have considerably more intestinal fortitude and honor than you.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by Oakenshield on Friday February 08 2019, @04:24PM (2 children)
I'd like to believe this was true but it fails the logic test. If someone were "busted" at a DUI checkpoint, there is very little chance they would be arrested, processed, released, recover their vehicle, make a sign and have time left to return to the scene while the checkpoint was ongoing. This sounds like urban legend or wishful thinking.
(Score: 2) by dx3bydt3 on Friday February 08 2019, @10:10PM
Here in Canada They would be checking vehicle registration, insurance and motor vehicle inspection as well. Expiry or lack of documentation for any of those merits a fine, but you go on your way. Presumably something similar could apply in the state in question.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday February 09 2019, @04:58AM
That story partially true. Similar things have happened across the country, but the most recent ones I remember happened in Ohio and Connecticut.
(Score: 2) by DeathMonkey on Friday February 08 2019, @07:37PM
I seem to recall, when I was younger, they went after a local radio station that listed all the area speed traps and lost handily.
I couldn't find it with a quick Google, though.
I did find this one from MO, where a guy was flashing his lights to warn people and won on first amendment grounds.
Missouri Judge Says, 'Yes, You Have A Right To Warn Other Drivers About Speed Traps' [thecarconnection.com]