Do Your Piece - Public Service With Cell Phones

Do Your Piece – Public Service With Cell Phones

It’s 12AM and you are shutting down a night on the town. The wind is chilling and there’s snow on the ground from the recent winter dump. Strolling back to your car from the pub you hear an unpleasant sound—it is a car losing traction on the road slowly sliding down the hill where you parked. You groan as you see the car slowly and helplessly careen towards your four wheeled friend, ‘do something!’ you squeal. Luckily the driver manages to let off the break and steer away from its intended target, however, in the process the driver knocked the car parked in front of you, bashing the rear light and fender.

With a sigh of relief you grumble to yourself how things could have been worse but then all of a sudden the car who slid into the parked car is started to drive away! A hit and run on the street, albeit minor, but still, aren’t people supposed to stop in these situations. With a semi-deserted street the driver thinks he can get away with his misdemeanour. What should you do? Stop him cold in his track by running out in the middle of the road? That won’t work since the car will probably end up hitting you! You also don’t know what kind of state the drive is in, are they packing a set of wrenches in the back ready to clobber anybody who steps in their way?

As you contemplate your next step a thought crosses your mind, ‘maybe I’ll intervene but not physically’. How so? Well your new cell phone is equipped with not only a useful and quality cell phone camera, but the latest video technology means you can capture quality real-time video as well. You switch on your phone and hit the video mode. Slowly as the car passes you you’re careful to get a nice shot of the car, the driver’s face, and even the licence plate as it rolls by. Using your cell phone as your weapon you have now become a vigilant citizen doing their part to keep some order and civility in the chaos around you.

Cell phones and wireless handheld devices these days are well equipped recording devices. Be it voice, video, or picture, the power in your palm is more useful than you think. Apart from the usual phone features (what phone is only a phone these days?) most cell phones come equipped with the ability to capture and send media. Record you voice records, videos, or quick shots, and send them across the globe. It is no wonder the greater public is fast becoming involved in maintaining the peace.

In fact, not are cellular devices able to accomplish the various captures, many wireless communication companies and service providers are getting on board too. In an effort to fight crime New York city has enabled a messaging system where regular citizens can email pictures to 911 to help investigations and captures of criminals (especially some misdemeanours). Verizon has also enabled communication to your cell phone with 411 information on whereabouts and locations of your destinations. Even most news agencies for print or TV are now taking your phone camera or videos shots online (albeit a real-time system like the on in NY are not available yet.)

So don’t be shy, stand at a safe distance from whatever event or occurrence and take some evidence to help take crazy drivers, stupid thugs, drunks, and those hit and runs off the street.