NYPD Wants to Disable Cell Phones During Terrorist Attack

We just came across a bit of news that we here at CME find very disturbing! Apparently, the New York Police Department to Homeland Security that it wants the ability to jam cell phone networks in the event of a terrorist attack. Their motive is admirable -- they assume that the terrorists would be using cell phones to communicate with each other. However, think of ALL the other people affected by this action!!

Unfortunately we can't keep the bad guys from using the same technology that we use on a daily basis. But honestly, I think the terrorists would find another way to communicate if they knew this policy was in place. And they would know.

The last thing we want to do is shut down a valuable communication tool in the event of an emergency. When something happens, cell phones and text messages will be an important way for emergency officials from several jurisdictions to communicate. Why shut down that line and limit communication to handheld radios that operate on frequencies that vary across emergency responders? What happens when the terrorists target the radio system and that no longer works?

We already know that when something BIG happens, cell phone towers are overwhelmed anyway. Text messages are often the only way to get messages out. They use less bandwidth, so the messages go out quicker. For this reason and many others, we think police and fire departments and emergency management officials should be concentrating on how to use technology to make their response better, faster, and more effective.

For more on the NYPD story, you can read this blog from the Wired Blog Network.

What do you think? We'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Is this a good way to stop terrorists during an attack, or would you rather have the ability to communicate with your cell phone? Leave us a comment!