The ankel bracelets for house arrest prisoners in many cities are terribly outmoded. It should be possible to devise GPS anklets that 1) report if the anklet is ever removed and 2) record the location of the anklet on a 24/7 basis.
Stalkers and batters who are subject to restraining orders to stay away from a house could be ordered to wear these and if they get to close to the house or to the person (who might also volunteer to wear) the gps system could automatically call the police.
Instead of Meagan's law public vigilanteism, convicted child molestors could be ordered or might volunteer to wear these to prove that they were not near abductions.
Crime stoppers might volunteer to wear them to help give the police a web of potential witnesses for crimes.
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This kind of device is starting to be used:
http://www.futurepundit.com/archives/001977.html
How long will it be before we all have to wear one? Of course, in a 'free country' it's unlikely that there will be a law forcing us to wear a tag. Instead it would work like this: increasing numbers of 'concerned citizens' would wear them. Perhaps there would be other benefits such as mapping or other GPS applications. Eventually, not having a tag would become suspicious. Police and vigilantes might feel it 'legitimate' to target those without them - questioning or otherwise harassing people who choose not to wear a tag.
Concerned citizens (the naive and stupid ones at least) would argue that only people with something to hide have anything to fear from GPS tags. Their disingenuous argument would then be extended to 'if you're not wearing a tag, you have something to hide'.
Cf driving licenses. Americans are not forced by law to carry these but they need to even if they can't drive because they are necessary for everyday life. They are integrated into a system of surveillance (day-to-day identity and age verification). It is not inconceivable that GPS tags could become equally integrated. I haven't got a problem with driving licenses, but GPS tags could be much more powerful. Their use might have a positive effect on crime rates, but no more than other bad ideas, such as facism.
Perhaps we should ask ourselves, who would be empowered by GPS tags? An institution might be empowered, but not you!
adamnieman: Most of what you speak of can be accomplished with RFID tags of one sort or another. GPS has nothing to do with it. If someone wanted to know where you were, all they'd have to do is see what RFID transceiver (knowin their locations) responded with your RFID code.
Interesting. But I'm afraid this stinks a little of Big Brother. Exacly who would have access to this and for what purpose.
I'm not a criminal and there is no way I will agree to carry anything in me or on me at the behest of the state unless I'm being paid hadsomely for it or I might need medical assistence in a hurry. What are the Benefits of waering this to ME.....none okay then I'll opt out. If I'm ever ordered to in case I MIGHT offend then I'll refuse, simple as that! Now they have a reason because I'm in breech of a law REQUIRING me to wear it. What a wonderfully FREE country that would be.
Johhny Burgler on the other hand is different. His benefit is he might get paroled earlier if he agrees!
I agree with mick. I wouldn't wear one even if they did pay me, AND I might need medical assistance in a hurry. I don't even like the Onstar system that they have installed in cars these days. I won't buy Chrysler products because of it!! It wreaks of Big Brother. If I haven't done anything wrong I should be able to be anywhere I want without anyone, NOT ANYONE, knowing about it.
Except maybe my wife :)