Happy Hour: Spring Has Sprung

March 9, 2009 5:30 PM 8 comments

  • Remember that University of Tennessee kid who hacked Sarah Palin’s email only to find a lot of totally boring things back during the election? They just brought him up on three more charges. [Tennessean]
  • Something innovative is going on in Franklin which does not involve racist Obama waffles: If ever you’re running around out there and see some sort of subversive criminal activity, you can text your crime tips anonymously to TIP411. Apparently they’re the first in the country to try this out. [WTVF]
  • The kids in Metro Schools might not be able to read or pass standardized testing, but dang it, they’ll be able to cut a good record. (In all seriousness, their new recording studio does look pretty fun.) [WKRN]
  • West End Avenue will be getting some brand spankin’ new traffic lights over the next few weeks, but while they’re getting all prettified, you’ll probably want to find some alternate routes. [WKRN]
  • As is customary, the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office will be out offering sober rides on St. Patrick’s Day next week, so don’t be the dummy who drives drunk. [Tennessean]

Photo by cgrantham.

  • http://loudestnoise.com David Cintron

    I have to point out that these supposed anonymous text messages to the police is pretty identifying. The whole point of a tip line for calling in was so you could you know, use a pay phone or something and that way the cops don't know who is calling. If you're sending a text message the message includes your cell phone number, which I'm pretty sure they government can use to find out who you are. I mean if they wanted to.

  • http://nashvillest.com Christy Frink

    Theoretically, they can almost always tell where anonymous tips are coming from. The Franklin PD is using a service called Citizen Observer which allows for anonymous texting communication through a third-party service. So could they subpoena the info? Maybe. Will they, since the integrity of the program relies on anonymity? Probably not.

  • http://nashvillest.com Christy Frink

    And also, here's the link for more info on the service: http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/nc_prod…

  • http://loudestnoise.com David Cintron

    Ah, well that makes it sound much more anonymous than I had imagined it would be. I guess my understanding was biased from the reporting I had seen on WSMV. That actually makes it seems like a pretty cool service and kudos to Franklin for trying out something new and technological.

  • http://loudestnoise.com David Cintron

    I have to point out that these supposed anonymous text messages to the police is pretty identifying. The whole point of a tip line for calling in was so you could you know, use a pay phone or something and that way the cops don't know who is calling. If you're sending a text message the message includes your cell phone number, which I'm pretty sure they government can use to find out who you are. I mean if they wanted to.

  • http://nashvillest.com Christy Frink

    Theoretically, they can almost always tell where anonymous tips are coming from. The Franklin PD is using a service called Citizen Observer which allows for anonymous texting communication through a third-party service. So could they subpoena the info? Maybe. Will they, since the integrity of the program relies on anonymity? Probably not.

  • http://nashvillest.com Christy Frink

    And also, here's the link for more info on the service: http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/nc_prod…

  • http://loudestnoise.com David Cintron

    Ah, well that makes it sound much more anonymous than I had imagined it would be. I guess my understanding was biased from the reporting I had seen on WSMV. That actually makes it seems like a pretty cool service and kudos to Franklin for trying out something new and technological.