There were 3 of us unruly pedestrians that were nabbed in this early morning sting operation.
My friends overseas are going to get a real kick out this. The fact that you can be fined for crossing the street in America was practically urban legend when I was growing up in South Africa … now I have proof! 🙂
But: I love the use of the Flip camera to police the Police. When I talk about my so-far sci-fi touch-screen video real estate signs, people always ask about theft. We are but a couple dozen months away from a world where all but the most solitary of crimes will be outrageously contra-indicated. Nothing will be unrecorded — and everything will be instantaneously massively-parallel indestructible in the cloud.
Must say, I’m starting to really enjoy web video (long way to go but I’m learning.) Meeting Gary V (winelibrarytv.com) a few weeks back was incredibly inspirational – he convinced me that there’s a massive opportunity for a Realtor to become the online face of real estate just like he did with wine.
As for the ubiquity of video coverage, you’re right. The future will not be televised; it will be embedded and subscribed to.
I mean did you actually do something to ‘deserve’ the ticket David, like nearly cause a 10 car pile up? Stand around on most corners of downtown anywhere with no cars around and you just might get pushed off the curbed.
Every city has their special task force. When in SF, keep an eye on where/how you park your car.
In Canada you could do the same thing while puffing a huge joint and not get a ticket. Granted, the parking police are pretty rabid around these parts.
There were no cars in all directions. 3 of us crossed on red and all 3 got fines. Thanks for the SFO tip; I’m going to try and avoid having to drive next week.
My parents live across the Puget Sound in Bremerton. Mom told me you can be fined for not having a garbage bag in your car and I thought she was full of it until now (sorry Mom). Your video sheds a whole new light on living in Washington!
Seattle isn’t special. Walking on a DON’T WALK sign is a citable offense in every American city I’ve lived. The bigger and busier the city, the more actively it’s enforced.
And while I’ve done it, and been stopped a few times (all in NYC), being courteous and professional with the officer always resulted in a verbal warning. Sarcasm and openly antagonizing the officer probably guaranteed your citation, dude.
FWIW, I was with two other people who took the ultra-meek approach. They were both fined. I only took my flip camera out after the first guy got his ticket. The poor woman who was with us was almost arrested because the cop misunderstood her when she said she didn’t have her license (meaning “on her”.) When she explained that it was at home he accused her of lying and started yelling at her and threatening to arrest her. This guy has some serious social issues.
I’ve actually heard from folks in both SFO and NYC who said it wouldn’t have happened there and who think the Seattle approach is pretty ridiculous.
Jim – I’m not really planning on going to court. The judge has no choice but to see this through to it’s logical conclusion. I totally respect that. The cop, on the other hand, did have a choice (as did I when I walked.) I was thinking I’d just keep a copy of the fine for laughs and mail it in.
David G from Zillow.com says:
There were 3 of us unruly pedestrians that were nabbed in this early morning sting operation.
My friends overseas are going to get a real kick out this. The fact that you can be fined for crossing the street in America was practically urban legend when I was growing up in South Africa … now I have proof! 🙂
July 17, 2008 — 8:35 pm
Greg Swann says:
Stay out of Milwaukee, David. They’ll lock you up with your scofflaw attitude.
July 17, 2008 — 8:41 pm
Greg Swann says:
But: I love the use of the Flip camera to police the Police. When I talk about my so-far sci-fi touch-screen video real estate signs, people always ask about theft. We are but a couple dozen months away from a world where all but the most solitary of crimes will be outrageously contra-indicated. Nothing will be unrecorded — and everything will be instantaneously massively-parallel indestructible in the cloud.
July 17, 2008 — 8:47 pm
David G from Zillow.com says:
Must say, I’m starting to really enjoy web video (long way to go but I’m learning.) Meeting Gary V (winelibrarytv.com) a few weeks back was incredibly inspirational – he convinced me that there’s a massive opportunity for a Realtor to become the online face of real estate just like he did with wine.
As for the ubiquity of video coverage, you’re right. The future will not be televised; it will be embedded and subscribed to.
July 17, 2008 — 8:58 pm
Steve Jagger - Reachd says:
David, nice to see that you’re putting your Flip to good use. Awesome.
July 17, 2008 — 10:39 pm
Brad Coy says:
Lame!
I mean did you actually do something to ‘deserve’ the ticket David, like nearly cause a 10 car pile up? Stand around on most corners of downtown anywhere with no cars around and you just might get pushed off the curbed.
Every city has their special task force. When in SF, keep an eye on where/how you park your car.
July 18, 2008 — 12:27 am
Tim Ayres says:
In Canada you could do the same thing while puffing a huge joint and not get a ticket. Granted, the parking police are pretty rabid around these parts.
July 18, 2008 — 7:28 am
Dan Green says:
I don’t which was funnier: David’s ongoing sarcasm or that he called the cop “dude” at the end.
July 18, 2008 — 7:39 am
David G from Zillow.com says:
Brad –
There were no cars in all directions. 3 of us crossed on red and all 3 got fines. Thanks for the SFO tip; I’m going to try and avoid having to drive next week.
July 18, 2008 — 8:14 am
Natalie Langford says:
My parents live across the Puget Sound in Bremerton. Mom told me you can be fined for not having a garbage bag in your car and I thought she was full of it until now (sorry Mom). Your video sheds a whole new light on living in Washington!
July 18, 2008 — 8:56 am
Jim Lee says:
That’s called “Jaywalking” dude, and you can (as evidenced by your video) get fined for it.
For a second offense I hear they impound your shoes.
Watch it.
July 18, 2008 — 10:39 am
Robert Kerr says:
Seattle isn’t special. Walking on a DON’T WALK sign is a citable offense in every American city I’ve lived. The bigger and busier the city, the more actively it’s enforced.
And while I’ve done it, and been stopped a few times (all in NYC), being courteous and professional with the officer always resulted in a verbal warning. Sarcasm and openly antagonizing the officer probably guaranteed your citation, dude.
July 19, 2008 — 8:45 pm
David G from Zillow.com says:
Robert,
FWIW, I was with two other people who took the ultra-meek approach. They were both fined. I only took my flip camera out after the first guy got his ticket. The poor woman who was with us was almost arrested because the cop misunderstood her when she said she didn’t have her license (meaning “on her”.) When she explained that it was at home he accused her of lying and started yelling at her and threatening to arrest her. This guy has some serious social issues.
I’ve actually heard from folks in both SFO and NYC who said it wouldn’t have happened there and who think the Seattle approach is pretty ridiculous.
July 19, 2008 — 11:41 pm
Chris says:
Never had that problem in NYC, if you cross when you are not supposed to a cab will run you over.
I wouldn’t pay it, make the SOB come to court.
July 20, 2008 — 7:05 pm
Jim Lee says:
You now have the citation and have to do something with it.
The cop will be spending the day in court anyway prosecuting his other citations.
Go to court and be a wiseass like you were to the cop and you can learn what “contempt of court” means. ;->
Judges deal with people like you every day of the week.
Mail in the fine would be my suggestion.
If you go to court please let us know the outcome.
July 20, 2008 — 7:49 pm
David G from Zillow.com says:
Jim – I’m not really planning on going to court. The judge has no choice but to see this through to it’s logical conclusion. I totally respect that. The cop, on the other hand, did have a choice (as did I when I walked.) I was thinking I’d just keep a copy of the fine for laughs and mail it in.
July 20, 2008 — 8:16 pm
David G from Zillow.com says:
Jim – also meant to say; LOVE your blog. It’s great to see a real estate blog that’s actually loaded with photos of homes!
July 20, 2008 — 8:19 pm