Showing posts with label X-Ray Scanners. Show all posts
Showing posts with label X-Ray Scanners. Show all posts

October 14, 2015

NYPD Denies Access To Records of X-Ray Vehicle Used For Searches



The Z Backscatter vehicles, also used by US Customs and Border Protection, can scan for drugs and explosives.
Photo: AS&E

[From article]
The top cop was asked Tuesday about the counter-terror vehicles, called Z Backscatter Vans, in light of the NYCLU’s request to file an amicus brief arguing that the NYPD should have to release records about the X-ray vans.
“They’re not used to scan people for weapons,” Bratton insisted. “The devices we have, the vehicles if you will, are all used lawfully and if the ACLU and others don’t think that’s the case, we’ll see them in court — where they’ll lose! At this time and the nature of what’s going on in the world, that concern of theirs is unfounded.”
[. . .]
New York State Supreme Court Judge Doris Ling-Cohan ruled that the department should have to turn over the records, despite the NYPD’s arguments that disclosing that information could interfere with investigations.
“While this court is cognizant and sensitive to concerns about terrorism, being located less than a mile from the 9/11 site, and having seen firsthand the effects of terrorist destruction, nonetheless, the hallmark of our great nation is that it is a democracy, with a transparent government,” the judge wrote in the December 2014 decision.

http://nypost.com/2015/10/13/nypd-has-secret-x-ray-vans/

NYPD has super-secret X-ray vans
By Yoav Gonen and Shawn Cohen
New York Post
October 13, 2015 | 5:39pm

June 23, 2014

Police and US Army Have X-Ray Gun For Searches

Posted June 22, 2014 8:14 PM ET; Last updated June 23, 2014 9:07 PM ET


How long will it take for criminals to obtain and use these for nefarious purposes? One day later local police already have these devices to search people.

[From article]
an X-ray gun that can see through fabric, rubber and aluminum to find drugs, money, explosive liquids and even people. The recently released X-ray gun is the first device of its kind that a soldier or would-be superhero can hold in her hands. It’s about the size of a breadbox and works with the press of a button, allowing the user to actually see the outline of organic material buried behind cloth, leather or even aluminum by running the X-ray gun over the material and zapping it with low-level X-rays.

Patrick Tucker
At a recent demonstration, the device could see through boxes, bags, car seats and airplane wings to reveal various organic compounds — everything from bricks of simulated cocaine to paper, ammonia and other potentially explosive materials. Even a handful of grapes.
[. . .]
The MINI Z comes in at $50,000, or half the cost of a typical airport backscatter X-ray. But the most important feature, from a national security perspective, is the simplicity of use. You turn it on, point, shoot and get an image. It requires almost no training to operate. That’s key because it’s not necessarily U.S. soldiers that will be using it

http://www.defenseone.com/technology/2014/06/military-now-has-x-ray-guns/86965/?oref=d-river
Patrick Tucker
11:36 AM ET

* * *

[From article]
The video for the handheld MINI Z Backscatter imaging scanner, developed by American Science and Engineering Inc (AS&E), brags that it will “allow operators to see more than ever in more places than ever.”
The scanner will be used by “law enforcement, first responders, border control, event security, maritime police and general aviation security,” in order to search for currency, drugs and explosives. Police will use the device to inspect “vehicle bumpers, tires, panels and interiors” and to detect IEDs.
According to AS&E, the scanner represents a “game changer” for law enforcement and border patrol and will be used to ensure “public safety.” However, the company admits that the device “is not designed to scan people” because it emits radiation.
[. . .]
In 2010 it emerged that American Science & Engineering had sold many of the larger devices to U.S. law enforcement agencies, who were already using them on the streets for “security” purposes.
The company’s founder, Joe Reiss, told Forbes that more than 500 backscatter x-ray devices were already being used domestically by U.S. authorities and were being, “driven past neighboring vehicles to see their contents.”
[. . .]
The plans mirrored leaked documents out of the UK Home Office three years prior, which revealed that authorities in the UK were working on proposals to fit lamp posts with CCTV cameras that would X-ray scan passers-by and “undress them” in order to “trap terror suspects”.

http://www.infowars.com/police-to-get-x-ray-scanner-for-vehicle-inspections-public-safety/

POLICE TO GET X-RAY SCANNER FOR VEHICLE INSPECTIONS & “PUBLIC SAFETY”
Handheld version of 'roving street scanner' to snoop on contents of cars
by PAUL JOSEPH WATSON
JUNE 23, 2014

November 1, 2011

US Ignored Effects of X-rays from Airport Scanners

http://www.propublica.org/article/u.s.-government-glossed-over-cancer-concerns-as-it-rolled-out-airport-x-ray

U.S. Government Glossed Over Cancer Concerns As It Rolled Out Airport X-Ray Scanners
by Michael Grabell
ProPublica,
Nov. 1, 2011, 1:07 p.m.

March 25, 2011

TSA Wants to Scan You In Your Neighborhood

[From article]
"the Transportation Security Administration, which has reportedly been contemplating expanding its controversial X-ray body-scanning program from airports to public events, mass transit and possibly even the streets where you live.
[. . .]
The Fourth Amendment states explicitly: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated."

Hard to square that with the mission of the Homeland Security Department and its intrusive TSA, which treat every American equally -- as a potential criminal and terrorist.
[. . .]
And unless the Constitution no longer means anything, it's way past time to insist that our government stop treating us as potential bombers and murderers."

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/opedcolumnists/the_worst_homeland_security_menace_4SysOzYn7m9JqxNBEjQ2hP

The worst homeland-security menace
Michael A. Walsh
New York Post
Last Updated: 4:54 AM, March 24, 2011
Posted: 10:54 PM, March 23, 2011

May 6, 2010

TSA X-Ray Scanners Cause Fight


http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/TSA-Fracas-After-Body-Scanner-Reveals-TMI-92971929.html

Suspicious Package: TSA Worker Jailed After Junk Joke

MIA worker assaults colleague who made crack at genitalia after walk through machine

By WILLARD SHEPARD and BRIAN HAMACHER
NBC News Miami
Updated 1:48 PM EDT, Thu, May 6, 2010