Scanner Hounds left out of the loop! Freepress

[MacombMonitor]

There is a Detroit Free Press article linked here on RR, about "Scanner hounds being left out of the loop", when Detroit upgraded to the MPSCS Digital system. The article ends with a little blurb from a Roseville freelance photographer, Bill Eisner, who blatantly talks about using his scanners to find fires in Detroit for 43 years. The end the story with a quote from Bill Eisner as follows:

"This is terrible," he said. "I don't know if there are fires. I can't chase them."

What is wrong with this guy? He is doing a major disservice to the scanner hobby making this kind of a statement! The last thing any public safety people want is scanner listeners going to the scene! I don't care if he is a photographer, he's just a freelancer, so he has no special privileges, or authorization. This is one of the biggest reasons they want to take scanners away from the general public.

Here is the link to the original article:
http://www.freep.com/news/metro/journal21e_20050921.htm

 

[BoxAlarm187]

I usually agree that it's a bad idea to advertise when a scanner's used to chase down incidents, but I think in this case, the guy has a legitimate complaint. Heck, he's been doing it for 43 years (!), and during that time, he's probably made friends with a lot of the emergency services personnel, which can allow him privlidges, even if they're not "official".

Furthermore, I don't know that most of the general public would see the difference in freelance versus media employee. They're both there gathering images for us to see over our breakfast bagels, either in print or on the TV.

 

[PabloMartinez]

Is that a provoice system or something?

 

[MacombMonitor]

I agree with what you're saying, and I even know someone personally who does just that, under the agreed type of relationship that you mentioned. My point is that like many things, it shouldn't be talked about so openly. This article will most likely give many people that idea that this is cool, and they can do it too. Next thing you know, scanners won't be allowed outside the house! In Michigan, I think following fire, police, or ambulances to the scene is technically illegal. Doing it with a scanner in your car, would just compound the problem.

If he had said, the information I obtain from my scanner helps me in my profession. I think that would have been more appropriate than; "This is terrible," he said. "I don't know if there are fires. I can't chase them."

And if he has been doing this for 43 years, what's so terrible about having to buy a new scanner? I think he got his money out of it. :roll:

 

[MacombMonitor]

Is that a provoice system or something?

No, it's Motorola APCO-25 9600 baud digital. They guy can go to his local Radio Shack, and buy a new scanner that is capable of receiving the new system.

 

[USAPatriot]

I usually agree that it's a bad idea to advertise when a scanner's used to chase down incidents, but I think in this case, the guy has a legitimate complaint. Heck, he's been doing it for 43 years (!), and during that time, he's probably made friends with a lot of the emergency services personnel, which can allow him privlidges, even if they're not "official".

Furthermore, I don't know that most of the general public would see the difference in freelance versus media employee. They're both there gathering images for us to see over our breakfast bagels, either in print or on the TV.

Agree on all points. As far as I know, "Free Press" (as in "Freedom of the...") is not confined to Corporate employees. I can sit here at my computer, do a newsletter of whatever sort, and that is covered by the 1st Amendment. The authorities know how to deal with photogs and newsmen, have been doing it for decades and they have their rules. I'd find it very scary to know that ONLY FOX/CNN/ABC/CBS/NBC etc were allowed access. To some extent we are being victimized by the media...both on the corporate level and on the independant level, and frankly having more sources helps keep everyone a bit more honest. If this guy has been making a living this way, who are we to keep him from it? Finally, even the public is allowed to go to a fire. Again, the authorities know how to deal with crowds. The day the government says that we cannot gather in a public place for a legitimate purpose is the day we need to start looking for greener pastures. -Rod-

 

[rdale]

No Joe Public person is going to read this article, see that quote, and say "Ma - can I have $500 to buy a digital trunk tracker?" None.

- Rob

 

[SCPD]

There is a Detroit Free Press article linked here on RR, about "Scanner hounds being left out of the loop", when Detroit upgraded to the MPSCS Digital system. The article ends with a little blurb from a Roseville freelance photographer, Bill Eisner, who blatantly talks about using his scanners to find fires in Detroit for 43 years. The end the story with a quote from Bill Eisner as follows:

"This is terrible," he said. "I don't know if there are fires. I can't chase them."

What is wrong with this guy? He is doing a major disservice to the scanner hobby making this kind of a statement! The last thing any public safety people want is scanner listeners going to the scene! I don't care if he is a photographer, he's just a freelancer, so he has no special privileges, or authorization. This is one of the biggest reasons they want to take scanners away from the general public.

Here is the link to the original article:
http://www.freep.com/news/metro/journal21e_20050921.htm

"JUST" a freelancer???? Come on now. I don't know about the U.S. side of things but on the north side of the border a great deal of spot news coverage is provided by us "just" freelancers. As far as no special privleges or authorization...Like what exactly? My credentials are as good as anyone from the CBC, CTV, CanWest or any other "big" media.

Perhaps he didn't choose his words carefully, that might be why he's a freelance photographer. Also you should be aware that the majority of us lowly freelancers make a heap of money doing what we do simply because it can be very time consuming.

Your major point taken, if he's making as much as me he can surely afford the new scanner upgrade...but please be kind to us "lowly" freelancers that do it right and do it well.

Thanks.

 

[rdale]

He's a very well known fire photographer - so call him what you want.

 

[SCPD]

He's a very well known fire photographer - so call him what you want.

Sure. Just don't call him or me late for a fire

 

[benjaminarthurt]

well I know that there are so many people out there who are abusing the scanners, and making responsible users such as those of us posting to this site look bad.

I work at my local RS and last week a construction crew hit a utility pole(with 3 transformers on it) in the parking lot knocked it down and the trasformers blew and started on fire... Of course in the store all the scanners run off AC so we didn't know what happend cause the power was out, so I grabbed my HH (pro-97) from my car a listened to the county dispatch the FD standing on the sidewalk in front of the store i watched the Power CO and FD show up about the same time as the idiots with scanners.
We witnessed to near accidents between the people scanning and the FD. In one case a pumper litteraly locked up its breaks, coming thru the parking lot with lights and siren, to avoid missing a gentle man with his pro-95 to his head coming thru the parking lot... its just everytime there is a fire call or anything these scanner nuts are the first to show up and are always in the way... and here in new york its illegal to HAVE a scanner (VTL 397) in the car unless your a ham or a on duty cop.... its just crazy how irresponsible these people are...

 

[sacscan]

Sure. Just don't call him or me late for a fire

Or "Charcoal Charlie"

 

[durango5550]

as long as two way communications are made scanners will be made cause remember people , the same people who make the radios give the guys who make the scanners the technology so WE can hear the radios.


scanners are here to stay reguardless of the technology. Its all about money!!!

one day provoice will be heard on a scanner its only a matter of time


just my 2 cents

 

[N_Jay]

. .. . . . the same people who make the radios give the guys who make the scanners the technology so WE can hear the radios. . . . .

Hu?? :roll: :roll: