Lot of legitimate answers here, and a few illigetimage......
Been a ham a long time, Just got into scanning recently.
I live about half the time in Dare County, which is a small town atmosphere until the circus comes town (tourists during the season).
Well, all being said, I like the real info from the secne, than the info that the "spinmeisters: have had a chance to edit.
Rob N4JKL
We're pretty tight knit here, and this increases the sense of community, as well as an opportunity to perform public service when incidents are nearby. Heard reports of kids on rafts drifting out into the ocean, went on the deck with binoculars to check things out, and reported to 911.
I'm also retired now, and don't get out as much, so this keeps me in tune with whats going on. It's also a form of "aural voyeurism", I suppose. You know who's beating up his wife.....
Also a form of infinite entertainment. You wouldn't believe some of the calls....
I'm not a ghoul. I don't jump in the car to check out a wreck a mile down the highway.
I'm also able to help out. Heard a call for a structure fire a couple of blocks away at a vacation rental unit. Checked it out on the internet, and found that the rental was handled by a company where I know some folks. Emailed one to say that she needed to dispatch some folks to help some renters. She said "OMG, I know some folks who own a rental unit over there". Sho' 'nuf, it was her friends that owned it, so she called and got them on the road to check things out.
OTOH, I'm stuck in Norfolk right now since Hatteras Island was evacuated because of Hurricane Irene. Way different here. I've heard drug busts going down, SWAT teams moving into position, spousal abuse, and a couple of days ago, a 16 year old skateboarding with a 1 year old infant in his arms. What's wrong with people? They also give out peoples names and SSN's, a big no-no. Not that I'd want to steal these low-life's identities.