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LakeSuperiorView

(1,533 posts)
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 01:55 PM Feb 2019

NYPD demands that Google's Waze app stop revealing DWI checkpoints

Source: CNBC

New York's police department is demanding that Google remove all DWI checkpoint information from Waze.
It says the navigation app helps impaired and intoxicated drivers evade checkpoints.
Waze, which is owned by Google, lets drivers alert other drivers to obstacles, speed traps, road closures, traffic and DWI checkpoints.






Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/06/-googles-waze-revealing-dwi-checkpoints-nypd.html

29 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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NYPD demands that Google's Waze app stop revealing DWI checkpoints (Original Post) LakeSuperiorView Feb 2019 OP
Is "DWI Checkpoint" an actual option on Waze? Or is it just the usual... NurseJackie Feb 2019 #1
All I have on my Waze is the 'Police Visible/hidden' options. iscooterliberally Feb 2019 #6
the cops around here always announce the checkpoints PupCamo Feb 2019 #25
I'm ok with speed traps and police reveals generally qazplm135 Feb 2019 #2
I personally think checkpoints are Unconstitutional Adrahil Feb 2019 #14
without some kind of public notice soryang Feb 2019 #17
No they're not. djg21 Feb 2019 #22
I'm aware of those.... Adrahil Feb 2019 #24
When police shut down a road, it's defacto public information. Gore1FL Feb 2019 #3
Absolutely. LiberalFighter Feb 2019 #5
This. nt EarthFirst Feb 2019 #19
What legal authority does the NYPD have to stop Google? LiberalFighter Feb 2019 #4
WAZE Rover1 Feb 2019 #7
This is the NYPD. Read the village voice series on the Schoolcraft tapes. X_Digger Feb 2019 #21
It likely isn't a legal threat. djg21 Feb 2019 #23
I'm betting they don't succeed ToxMarz Feb 2019 #8
The government is not allowed to restrict the free speech of citizens, even through an app. TeamPooka Feb 2019 #9
Sorry but you can demand all you want however the 1st amendment trumps your demand. cstanleytech Feb 2019 #10
Used to be, flashing the "V" sign with your fingers... Maxheader Feb 2019 #11
Minnesota tried doing them and I think they have stopped, years ago. LakeSuperiorView Feb 2019 #12
"the navigation app helps impaired and intoxicated drivers" BumRushDaShow Feb 2019 #13
You just reminded me. My closest encounter with a DUI driver was when he ran into the back of my LakeSuperiorView Feb 2019 #16
Basically that is how it goes BumRushDaShow Feb 2019 #18
Let them demand away.. MicaelS Feb 2019 #15
Public information, you assholes. n/t X_Digger Feb 2019 #20
Dumb asses hueymahl Feb 2019 #26
you have to be pretty sober to notice checkpoints on Waze Demonaut Feb 2019 #27
So, the cops customerserviceguy Feb 2019 #28
Receipts for heavy fines must be down. democratisphere Feb 2019 #29

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
1. Is "DWI Checkpoint" an actual option on Waze? Or is it just the usual...
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 02:00 PM
Feb 2019

Is "DWI Checkpoint" an actual option on Waze? Or is it just the usual "Police Visible" and "Police Hidden" pins that people are sticking in their digital maps?

iscooterliberally

(2,849 posts)
6. All I have on my Waze is the 'Police Visible/hidden' options.
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 02:12 PM
Feb 2019

There's a place where you could add a comment, but I can't do that when I'm driving. I don't think NYPD is going to get what they want here. Apparently DUI checkpoints aren't even legal in every state. I know they have them in Ft Lauderdale all the time, but the police usually post the place and time in the newspaper before they even set it up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Random_checkpoint

qazplm135

(7,447 posts)
2. I'm ok with speed traps and police reveals generally
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 02:04 PM
Feb 2019

probably makes people slow down more.

But I'm in agreement that I don't want DUI traps revealed...I'd like those folks to get caught.

 

djg21

(1,803 posts)
22. No they're not.
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 08:48 PM
Feb 2019

it’s well settled as a matter of constitutional law. There are criteria that police must follow, and they typically do follow them to avoid 4th Amendment concerns. You can do a google search and educate yourself. Checkpoints serve a compelling state interest.

The issue with Waze presents a First Amendment issue, and NYC loses this one.

 

Adrahil

(13,340 posts)
24. I'm aware of those....
Fri Feb 8, 2019, 12:26 AM
Feb 2019

And you will note I expressed a personal opinion.

I understand it is at odds with current rulings. But current rulings hold that corporations are people too, so.....

I have only encountered a single check point and refused to engage with the cops (I did give them my license and registration when requested). They blustered, but let me go.

Gore1FL

(21,031 posts)
3. When police shut down a road, it's defacto public information.
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 02:04 PM
Feb 2019

One would think if it is legal to record them doing things in public, it should be legal to discuss the things they do in public.

LiberalFighter

(50,504 posts)
4. What legal authority does the NYPD have to stop Google?
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 02:05 PM
Feb 2019

Personally, I don't think the NYPD has to worry about this. If they are drunk they are not likely to check for the DWI checkpoints.

 

Rover1

(26 posts)
7. WAZE
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 02:15 PM
Feb 2019

This matter has been settled by the US Supreme Court. Alerting about police prescence is an exercise of your free speech rights. Why is the NYPD is wasting resources when the matter has been judged? If they don't like it, they need change the US Constitution.

X_Digger

(18,585 posts)
21. This is the NYPD. Read the village voice series on the Schoolcraft tapes.
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 08:37 PM
Feb 2019
https://www.villagevoice.com/2010/06/15/nypd-tapes-4-the-whistleblower-adrian-schoolcraft/
Schoolcraft has been introduced to Voice readers as the Bed-Stuy cop who secretly taped 117 roll calls at the precinct, as well as many other conversations with his fellow cops. In our series, “The NYPD Tapes,” the Voice has been making these recordings public, and they show a pattern of police downgrading crimes, intimidating crime victims, and enforcing quotas for writing tickets and performing “stop-and-frisks.”


Stop and Frisk, remember that shit?

https://www.nyclu.org/en/stop-and-frisk-data
In 2011, 685,724 NYPD stops were recorded.
605,328 were totally innocent (88 percent).
350,743 were black (53 percent).
223,740 were Latino (34 percent).
61,805 were white (9 percent).
341,581 were aged 14-24 (51 percent).


Fuck em.
 

djg21

(1,803 posts)
23. It likely isn't a legal threat.
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 10:40 PM
Feb 2019

If NYC prohibits use of google and google products on the PCs it provides to employees, and other municipalities and individuals follow suit, there could be a fiscal impact to Google. The NYC government is a large consumer.

ToxMarz

(2,154 posts)
8. I'm betting they don't succeed
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 02:25 PM
Feb 2019

It's about the same as flashing your lights at oncoming traffic to warn of a speed trap.

A friend has been ticketed twice for this (the cops don't like you doing this so they try to intimidate you) and beat it both times. They write the ticket for something like driving with flashing lights (eg. hazard lights, which is actually illegal). The second time the Judge went ballistic on the cop, apparently he had been before this judge previously for the same thing and been clearly informed that is not what the law was for.

Maxheader

(4,366 posts)
11. Used to be, flashing the "V" sign with your fingers...
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 02:45 PM
Feb 2019

at approaching motorists...to alert them to a speed trap you just went by...
Or flashing your lights....The county mountys do not like that and if they
catch you they will pull you over...

 

LakeSuperiorView

(1,533 posts)
12. Minnesota tried doing them and I think they have stopped, years ago.
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 03:43 PM
Feb 2019

Last edited Thu Feb 7, 2019, 04:16 PM - Edit history (1)

In 1994, the Minnesota Supreme court ruled them unconstitutional on the basis that they lacked probable cause. Minnesota will bust your ass if you are

Drifting in and out of traffic lanes
Swerving
Tailgating
Taking an illegal or abrupt turn
Frequent and abrupt braking
Driving in the dark without headlights
Driving in an incorrect lane

but you have to present reasonable suspicion by the above or other behaviors.


38 states allow stopping vehicles for no reason to conduct DWI checkpoints. The states that don't allow them (interesting that most are northern states):

Alaska - No state authority
Idaho - Illegal under state law
Iowa - Statute authorizing roadblocks does not permit sobriety checkpoints
Michigan - Illegal under state constitution
Minnesota - Illegal under state constitution
Montana - State law only permits "safety spotchecks"
Oregon - Illegal under state constitution
Rhode Island - Illegal by state Supreme Court decision
Texas - Illegal under state's interpretation of the U.S. Constitution
Washington - Illegal by state Supreme Court decision
Wisconsin - Illegal under state law
Wyoming - Illegal under interpretation of roadblock statute

I have only encountered one back when they were trialed and I used an alternate route to avoid the delay. I saw them on the highway from the parallel road I used. Looked to be at least a 15 minute delay. I had been babysitting my cousin's kids and it was a easy route change.

BumRushDaShow

(127,312 posts)
13. "the navigation app helps impaired and intoxicated drivers"
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 03:46 PM
Feb 2019

Now THAT is as oxymoronic a statement as one might ever see!

And even if one uses Waze's turn-by-turn voice notifications, if you are "impaired", the person probably would miss the cues anyway because hell, it can be a bit hit or miss when you are NOT impared!

 

LakeSuperiorView

(1,533 posts)
16. You just reminded me. My closest encounter with a DUI driver was when he ran into the back of my
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 05:57 PM
Feb 2019

pickup. I was stopped at a light near a freeway exchange. Dumbass was riding a motorcycle wearing a leather helmet. He managed to slow down enough to not get hurt, but he did bend the bumper of my Ranger. Checkpoints could increase the number of accidents as impaired drivers run into stopped traffic where there are normally no traffic signals...

The idiot that hit me was driving with no license (previous DUI) or insurance. I was subpoenaed to court, with cancellations on the day of, three times before he finally agreed to a plea deal.

BumRushDaShow

(127,312 posts)
18. Basically that is how it goes
Thu Feb 7, 2019, 06:18 PM
Feb 2019

and hate to say but it happens the same way with "distracted" drivers. I had one rear-end me about 20 years ago - literally during rush hour in downtown stopped traffic, right as a red light had just changed to green and cars started slowly moving forward. That caused my car to rear end a taxi in front of me like bumper cars. THEN the guy jumped out of his car and ran away leaving his car in the middle of the street - and this is in the middle of the city! So there I am with my rear bumper and muffler hanging and his car front "crumpled", but I was able to get mine roped up so I could get home and get it repaired later.

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)
28. So, the cops
Fri Feb 8, 2019, 04:14 AM
Feb 2019

want something that is in clear public view on the street, to be obscured in Waze?

Good luck with that.

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