New police device detects weapons

[weekend_plinker]

CLEARWATER - A Clearwater company is marketing a new device that will allow local police to detect weapons hidden underneath clothing.

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/local/031609_New_police_device_detects_weapons

[paintballergb]

$60 thousand a piece. I doubt these will see much action outside of things like possible court, government building, etc. and even with those most agencies won't buy them.

[easy]

Used as described, wouldn't that be a violation of the Fourth Amendment?

[paintballergb]

Used as described, wouldn't that be a violation of the Fourth Amendment?

I would think that would not be legal just like driving down the street with those thermo gun things looking for grow houses isn't.

[tyrist]

They would be legal as long as they only showed weapons. Weapons are handled differently.

[paintballergb]

They would be legal as long as they only showed weapons. Weapons are handled differently.

Ooooh.

[Flintlock Tom]

ACT is an offshoot of more complex and expensive devices that Thermal Matrix sells to the military for detection of suicide bombers.

I wish they would quit wasting R&D funds on crap like this and hurry up with my flying car!

[twistedtahoe]

I wish they would quit wasting R&D funds on crap like this and hurry up with my flying car!

60K bud....http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...&ct=image&cd=1

[tgriffin]

They would be legal as long as they only showed weapons. Weapons are handled differently.

Sorry but BS. Still a 4a violation. No different than if you walked down the street and Terry'd every single person you came across. Still need PC to conduct a search, invasive or otherwise. Prove me wrong.

[dfletcher]

Sorry but BS. Still a 4a violation. No different than if you walked down the street and Terry'd every single person you came across. Still need PC to conduct a search, invasive or otherwise. Prove me wrong.

Taking only a layman's approach I suppose it's tough to draw an anology and reach a conclusion. Can the police, in a public area and without a warrant, electronically listen in on a conversation? By electronically I don't mean someone wearing a wire or a bug, but using a device similar to those "amplified ears" available for hunting or hard of hearing folks. I don't know the answer - or if there is an answer - but it seems that if you can't use that sort of an electronic device to listen, you can't use an electronic device to "see". Again, all without a warrant.

If it is allowed under limited circumstances, I'd be leery of any sort probable cause requirement - LE could check anyone then assert they saw something as cause.

I think this technology has been around for quite a few years, seem to recall seeing it before.

[yellowfin]

Cmon, we all know the real reason they have these is to detect fake boobs.

[tgriffin]

Taking only a layman's approach I suppose it's tough to draw an anology and reach a conclusion. Can the police, in a public area and without a warrant, electronically listen in on a conversation? By electronically I don't mean someone wearing a wire or a bug, but using a device similar to those "amplified ears" available for hunting or hard of hearing folks. I don't know the answer - or if there is an answer - but it seems that if you can't use that sort of an electronic device to listen, you can't use an electronic device to "see". Again, all without a warrant.

If it is allowed under limited circumstances, I'd be leery of any sort probable cause requirement - LE could check anyone then assert they saw something as cause.

I think this technology has been around for quite a few years, seem to recall seeing it before.

Doesn't appear to be anything more than sensitive thermal imaging with some additional software behind it.

To me, I do not see much of a line between a police officer asking to visually inspect my person (or like physical examination) and being electronically searched without cause.

[AndrewMendez]

You can Hire 1 cop for everyone of those they buy!

[Some Guy]

So say I had something thick in a coat pocket, something legal, they see it call it PC and search me at gunpoint. Would I win a lawsuit? Would the technology be outlawed? Who knows but I bet something along those lines will happen.

[audihenry]

So it's going to think my wallet is a grenade? Seems like a dumb system.