Cops Meet YouTube

by Marty

Earlier tonight, I ran over to fix my buddy's network. As I was leaving to return home, I was waiting at the end of his street for thet light to change. In what took like three minutes, I went ahead and busted through the light. You can see the result, I have to go to court on 3/6. I had an old insurance card (who keeps them up to date anyway) and he popped me for running the light. The insurance card is a no brainer. I'll go to Safeco's site and print one, I asked him if I could use his laptop to print one, he refused. I suggested that it would save us both time and effort. He corrected me correctly, really it was his time, not mine. No matter, I romanticized the ticket to him telling him what a beautiful evening it is to run the light. I also suggested that the city check the light and signal for malfunction/timing issues. Again, no luck. That's OK, I'm going to go in to the judge with at least 100 questions and then go to traffic school. However, that's where my story starts, how the interweb is changing law enforcement!

JohnTV
This guy may be my personal idol. Video Vigilante Brian has a personal mission to rid OKC of prostitution. He carries his camera around, filming johns and the exchange. He then posts it out to YouTube. There's one with a "money shot" where he catches the prostitute with wad of cash in her hand. So he's got a sense of humor. It's insane and sad, he catches one grampa twice over a couple of months. It is "reality tv" done right. He even has some cheezy music that goes with the bust. The most important thing is that he's effective with 16 arrests as of 2/1/2008. I love technology, but it's better when put to good use. Thanks Brian for your community service.

Jimmy Justice
This guy drives around NYC busting traffic cops for traffic violations. The videos are worth watching and fairly entertaining. Is he as effective as Video Vigilante? Perhaps not. I'm much less bothered by traffic violations (though a recent recipient of one) than prostitution.

In both cases, this is reality tv done right. So I hope you take a little pleasure in my little ticket, you know-Schadenfreude. It goes around and I realize that. Guilty pleasures rule this imminent domain. I take great pride in the social service provided for by these good citizens. It is another way that the web and technology are empowering new ways of thinking and behaving in our society.