Wisconsin Police Fingerprint Traffic Stops

     If you’re ticketed by Green Bay police, you’ll get more than a fine. You’ll get fingerprinted, too. It’s a new way police are cracking down on crime.

If you’re caught speeding or playing your music too loud, or other crimes for which you might receive a citation, Green Bay police officers will ask for your drivers license and your finger. You’ll be fingerprinted right there on the spot. The fingerprint appears right next to the amount of the fine.

Police say it’s meant to protect you — in case the person they’re citing isn’t who they claim to be. But not everyone is sold on that explanation.  See WBAY TV Story

Bill Lowrance
President PIAVA
president@piava.org

More On Pretxing PIs

    Back on December 7 or so, I posted the news that 10 people were indicted by the Federal government for various charges relating to pretexting by two individuals in Belfair, WA.  See Prexting Post

Well, it turns out that the two Belfair, WA, people doing the pretexting, Emilio and Brandy Torella, were reported to the Washington’s Department of Licensing for operating an unlicensed investigations business.  The Department investigates unlicensed private investigators.  To operate a private investigation business in Washington you must be licensed.  If you are not, you are subject to a prosecution for a gross misdemeanor.   The Department had received a complaint that the Torrella’s were operating a private investigations firm out of a Belfair strip mall without a state mandated investigator’s license.

In a Kitsap Sun news article dated December 21, 2007, The Washington Department of Licensing states that “We were aware of unlicensed activity, . . . but we didn’t get to point of investigating it because of the federal government’s investigations.”  See Kitsap Sun Article Here.  Let’s see, you, the Department of Licensing, did not get to the point of investigating the alleged unlicensed activity because of the federal government’s investigation?  Does the federal government always tell you what to do and how to run the Washington licensing affairs?  Roll over, Fido.

The article reports that Washington’s leading licensed private investigators are upset that the Belfair couple have been labeled licensed investigators when clearly they were not.  Former and officers of the Washington Association of Legal Investigators said that legitimate, licensed Washington investigators do not conduct activities such as those in the Belfair couple’s indictment. 

Ummm, would the US Attorney’s office in Seattle mind clearing up the misunderstanding in the headlines of their press release that indicate all those indicted were licensed private investigators?  Probably not!

Bill Lowrance

President PIAVA

president@piava.org

IRS To Redact SSNs On Tax Liens

  The IRS announced recently that it will redact SSNs on Federal Tax Liens that are filed in public records.  Usually, if you search public records you will find Federal and State tax liens.  The liens usually contained the full SSN of the subject.  Well, not anymore.  IRS will redact SSNs starting with filings in January 2008. See See IRS Article Here.

Bill Lowrance

President PIAVA

president@piava.org

Roanoke Times Backs VA FOIA

  In an editorial today, “Punish illegal secrecy”, the Roanoke Times comments on judicial enforcement of Virginia’s FOIA law.  The Times highlights the recent Court fine levied againt Sheriff Eric Weaver for his refusal to give public records to a member of the public.  The Times recognizes the importance of open government records and supports judicial monotoning and enforcement through fines if necessary.  See Editorial Here.