Advice wanted

[Grizz]

I just sold a heldheld scanner on Trademe, and the person called tonight to collect it.

She came in, I showed her how it works, although she didn't seem too interested, she then placed 3 twenty dollars notes on the table, fumbled in her pocket and dragged out a number of $2 coins, placed them on the table, started to count them, gave up, then handed me them to be and said don't worry about counting them (it looked heaps), thanked me, said that the scanner was for her dad who was layed up with a sore foot and that he was an ex cop and would enjoy listening to it.

The problem I have or my dilemma is that she looked really suss, young lady, beanie, trench coat, unkept sort of appearance, my wife and I looked at each other after she left, and thought hmm wonder what the hell she is going to do with it.

Now I can be a suspicious sort a person, and may have completely misjudged this, but I have the feeling she will use the scanner not with good intentions.

What should I do

1. Advise the police, would they care about any information that I might have.
2. Do nothing.
3. Keep what details I have, and keep an eye on any trades she places on trademe (she has never traded before, or at least no feedback placed), just in case they look suss then report it.
4. Hope like hell we don't get burgled!
5. Pray that she isn't a KB'r and that she is a really decent person, whose dad is a cop with a sore foot, and would really like to hear his mates in action!

[N4CR]

I would just report it for now... write down all you can about her facial features and looks etc so if you actually do get burgled, the identikit won't come out crappy later on.

Report it... good.. so they can file it away and if something happens they have a log of it.

[zadok]

I'd pick the first option. If they don't care then you've done your bit.
You never know it may tie in to some bigger picture.

[Pixie]

She may be planning to stalk a cop.
Beware cop K.B.ers; Do you know where your bunnies are?

[Biff]

Everything going to plan the scanner will be useless within the next 12 months or so when the cops change to a digital system.

In the mean time - do what you think is best. At least if you tell the cops you've done what you can.

[XTC]

#2 do nothing.....
What's it to you what she does with it? What did you do with it??

[Da Bird]

Everything going to plan the scanner will be useless within the next 12 months or so when the cops change to a digital system.

At the risk of overusing emoticons....




That was supposed to be in place for APEC... 1999 I think....yes, yes it was. But it WILL be here next year.

[g34l]

i would just think nothing can really be done, is it? because i am afraid those scanners can be observed anywhere anyway.even she did not get that from you, but she still might get that from somewhere else. as we don't have to have a licence to buy or operate a scanner

[Da Bird]

i would just think nothing can really be done, is it? because i am afraid those scanners can be observed anywhere anyway.even she did not get that from you, but she still might get that from somewhere else. as we don't have to have a licence to buy or operate a scanner

You are right - there is not illegal to buy or operate a scanner but it IS illegal to act on any information you receive on it.

BC

[Motig]

Why did you bother selling this obviously unused scanner (by you) if your worrying about who brought it? What about the poor person who sold it to you, how many sleepless nights have they had

[Biff]

That was supposed to be in place for APEC... 1999 I think....yes, yes it was. But it WILL be here next year.

Yup - I remember that fiasco - blame a company named Simoco for that balls up. They attempted to sell the cops a system (Tetra) that hadn't even been developed. Ok - blame the stupid authorities for believing them too.

This time around it appears as though the authorities are actually testing real kit (P25). Ok 12 - months from today is a bit optimistic, but the first phase of trials have just been completed and the procurement programme proper begins within the next 6 months. So - ya never know........

[Grizz]

Why did you bother selling this obviously unused scanner (by you) if your worrying about who brought it? What about the poor person who sold it to you, how many sleepless nights have they had

It wasn't unused, infact I ised it alot, it was really interesting listening to the communications, police chases etc, I also bought it as I do a lot of motorway travelling, and the scanner allowed me to understand what was going on ie hold ups, accidents etc.

I sold it as this model ran off 4 aa batteries and i was going thorugh a lot of them, also as it was a base model it had a few fequencies locked out, ie aircraft.

The only thing that bothered me was that she didn't look like a scanner entusiast, or someone who would hold a genuine interest, she looked like a street crim thats all.

So, a lot of you are right who am I to care what she does with it.

[ZorsT]

You are right - there is not illegal to buy or operate a scanner but it IS illegal to act on any information you receive on it.

BC

So, if you are listening and find the road is blocked by a 17 car pile-up, and you take an alternate route, it is illegal?

One guy I know, is a volunteer fire-fighter. He has his scanner so he knows where the call-out is before he gets to the station, so he can get there quicker if needed, i guess that is illegal too...

I suppose it (that law) is so to stop people using them to aid their running attemps, or to stop boy racers using them to get a heads up on the soon appearance of their mates in blue...

How inforced are these rules?