"Stingray" devices: Are your rights being violated?

The Washington Post has a very informative article discussing new "stingray" devices used by law enforcement (http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/secrecy-around-police-surveillance-equipment-proves-a-cases-undoing/2015/02/22/ce72308a-b7ac-11e4-aa05-1ce812b3fdd2_story.html).

Basically a stingray mimics a cell phone tower. It tricks YOUR cell phone into thinking it's connecting to the tower. Instead, your phone actually connects to a device that can take whatever information from your phone they want. It can also be used to track your location. It all happens without your knowledge.

The picture is from the article,  and is a great illustration of how the stingray works.

To date, Im not aware of any reported rulings one way or the other regarding 4th amendment or other constitutional issues surrounding stingrays. For now, the issue appears to be undecided.

Vicco...a small town with BIG plans...

As many now know, Vicco, the small city of 334 people, recently enacted city ordinances that made it illegal to discriminate against ANYONE based on their sexual orientation. The ordinances protect BOTH heterosexual and homosexual individuals. The ordinances simply mean everyone will be treated equally, no matter how they choose to live their life.

What people may NOT know, is the passing of these ordinances is only one of many positive changes in Vicco in recent months. Previously, Vicco was a financially struggling small town in rural eastern Kentucky. The water and sewer infrastructure was old, and getting older. The service, which was the only form of income for the city had become a financial liability. Lay-offs were levied. Grant funding had dried up. The city was in danger of having to dissolve its incorporation.

Today the city is running on a profit; mainly due to the infrastructure improvements. The water loss is now only 1%; down from 47%. Grant funding is flowing. The city has acquired a parcel of land to build a park and community center. Now, the city can afford a police officer to aid in local law enforcement. There is now plans to revitalize and improve the cities sewage treatment plant. There was also a curfew enacted in an attempt to ensure public safety. All of these ordinances/plans were also part of the same meeting which passed the equality ordinances.

Although we believe the fairness ordinances are good; we believe they are only one good thing in a litany of good things going on in the city of Vicco.