Homemade Robot Patrols Atlanta Streets 324
Josh Fink brings news of an Atlanta resident who has created a remote control robot to scare off criminals during the night. Rufus Terrill, an engineer, uses it to patrol the streets and encourage drug dealers and other shady characters to move on. Local residents call it his "Robocop." From CNN:
"It's a barbecue smoker mounted on a three-wheeled scooter, and armed with an infrared camera, spotlight, loudspeaker and aluminum water cannon that shoots a stream of icy water about 20 feet. Operated by remote control, the robot spotlights trespassers on property down the street from his bar, O'Terrill's. Using a walkie-talkie, Terrill belts out through the robot's loudspeaker, 'That's private property. You guys need to get out of here.'"
Re:Assault (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Assault (Score:2, Interesting)
I didn't read TFA of course, but if this happens in California or Britain or some crazy liberal place like that, even YOU can't hit trespassers, certainly not for things like littering or using needles or stealing your stuff so long as they don't threaten you personally... your only (legal) recourse is to ask them to stop or call the cops.
On a personal note, one guy in CA got jailed for keeping an unlicensed flamethrower. That's right folks, going to jail over a home defence project!
Re:Or him... (Score:2, Interesting)
The better solution than going stabby on the inventor would be to pay others to have a cash transaction in public to activate this thing. A couple of innocents are sprayed with ice cold water while exchanging money. Then call the cops and have them deal with the guy. If the cops don't do something, then you keep paying different relatively innocent people to get soaked and to complain to the police about it. Once you have a stack of 20-30 complaints from different people, then you have a random one sue the guy to stop soaking random people so the courts might order an injunction against the guy. If one law suit doesn't work, have a couple of them do it. It doesn't matter if they all go to the same judge. Arrange for somewhat valid reasons why each person was out there to get soaked. When all these various legit sounding people all come before the same judge, then they'll almost be forced to "do something." IF that "do something," is to tell the guy not to have his robot soaking people, so be it.
What's even better is that you could monitor the process and see if the guy still uses his robot after a court rules on him. If so, make sure you have some one out there legit get soaked, and complain loudly that time. The legal system ought to take care of the guy at that point.
Some anti-theft/bashing upgrades needed (Score:4, Interesting)
2) Some strategically placed handles that can be electrified
3) When all else fails, a beeping self-destruct countdown timer
none there (Score:2, Interesting)
I really don't think you have a handle on how bad some of these neighborhoods are, and kids are trying to grow up there and somehow come out reasonable sane and normal. It's just terrible really. Robert Heinlein action, AAs or abandoned areas.
Re:It's extra funny (Score:2, Interesting)
Depends where you are (Score:-1, Interesting)
Comment removed (Score:2, Interesting)
I actually go to O'Terrills (Score:4, Interesting)
He actually owns most of the entire block, and everyone supports him. That poor shitty homeless shelter down the street sure fucks things up all around the entire area.
He has actually ran for Gov. I believe, and came in last every time, but hell.... I think cities need crazy old guys like this.
Before you bother white knighting for the 'poor homeless chaps' down the road, you should hang out for a couple of hours, and watch them smoke crack, huff paint, and harass poor passer-by.
Re:none there (Score:2, Interesting)
Check it out.