Dennis Fehler - Blog

Sexual Predator Detection and Monitoring Concepts

2010-08-17T10:08:00.000-05:00

August 17th, 2010

Chet Edwards – Congressman
17th Congressional District
600 Austin Avenue - Suite 29
Waco, Texas 76701

Congressman,

Geographic Information Systems [GIS] is my area of expertise. I wrote the attached whitepaper about 5 years ago and hoped at some point to develop and market the idea. Other obligations set the opportunity aside (until now).

I continually read where law enforcement personnel simply do not have the manpower, time, or budget to adequately monitor the body of wrong-doers. The whitepaper [attached] outlines how citizens and technology should be used in a national, regional, and local “neighborhood watch” arena to insure parole compliance.

I believe the ideas outlined to be relevant but the complexities of the legal system make the possibility of implementation very limited [if I continue working exclusively at a “grass roots” level].

Yes, everyone has rights to privacy, but I believe that habitual law-breakers need more supervision [potentially] at the expense of some of their civil rights.

This is not your area of expertise, but I’m hoping you see merit it these ideas and would forward this information to the appropriate people. If you need more technical or conceptual information I would be happy to provide it and/or continue this discussion in greater detail [with you or your staff].

Best regards,
--
Dennis Fehler
http://www.dennisfehler.com/
118-B South Main Street
McGregor, Texas 76657
254.723.8318

Predator Detection and Avoidance Monitoring [PDAM] Concepts

This whitepaper describes the existing probation and parole policies, its potential relationship to American citizens, and how that partnership might used in a national, regional, and local “neighborhood watch” arena to monitor and insure parole compliance.

The national news continues to air stories about sexual predators abducting and killing children. Among the many possible restraining measures that could be implemented the PDAM concept offers a practical detection and monitoring solution by combining several powerful existing technologies including the internet.

For example, Martha Stewart wears an electronic tracking device that assures her house arrest compliance. Her location is tracked by a Global Positioning System [GPS]. Her device used a special receiver which reported her whereabouts to her probation officer at a central monitoring location. If she did not comply with the terms of her parole she would go back to jail.

Existing Technology Background

The most current probation and parole monitoring systems use a combination of Geographic Information System [GIS] and Global Position Satellite [GPS] technology.

The GIS mapping technology is used to organize and display important information about any specific geographic area. The GPS technology provides the specific latitude and longitude location for each parolee. The GIS electronic map display provides a representation of the spatial location as a map “backdrop” for the probation officers computer interface. The GIS system displays transportation systems, residential and commercial neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, Federal, State, and private buildings, and much more.

The most critical component of any electronic probation service system is the Global Position Satellite [GPS] device the parolee is required to wear. The GPS system was developed by the military to quickly determine the location of soldiers and equipment on the battlefield. The GPS system uses a multi-satellite system to mathematically determine the exact latitude / longitude location of any GPS receiving device. For our application, the GPS receiving device has anti-tamper capabilities that assure the parolee cannot remove or defeat the device without notifying law enforcement. The parolee GPS device has the capability to report parolee locations by telephone technology to any number of the Judicial Systems centralized monitoring stations. Each central monitoring station provides parolee locations to the specified parole agency where parolee locations are displayed on the GIS computer mapping interface along with all the pertinent parolee tabular (spreadsheet) information.

To assure parole compliance, sexual predators released on parole will be required to wear a similar but more advanced device that tracks and broadcasts the location of each predator to a central monitoring station [24/7]. This latest technology would allow the location of each sexual predator to be displayed in real time on a scalable map interface similar to the maps available from maps.google.com. Also, the predators’ movements [for any given period in time] could be tracked and produced for later review. A significant capability of the latest technology would allow a parole officer to set electronic boundaries for areas such as school grounds, day care centers, and/or shopping malls. If any predator moves within a set distance of an “off limits” area an alarm will sound and display the offending predator information. The immediate warning would allow officials to take an appropriate action or report the misconduct to appropriate law enforcement.

The Next Logical Step

The PDAM system electronically gathers the existing predator location information from the various parole compliance monitoring stations through a secure internet connection. At predetermined intervals basic predator location information is extracted from the Judicial Systems central monitoring database and each predator is assigned a risk category. [e.g. high risk = very dangerous predator and low risk = lesser risk predator]. The PDAM monitoring service organizes all predator risk and location information and provides that information to the public as a subscription internet service. PDAM clients simply login to the PDAM web service, then types in his or her street address, and that location is displayed in the center of the PDAM map interface. The PDAM client then uses an electronic bounding box to define (one or more) geographic protection zones to the immediate area surrounding the home location and a predator proximity alarm is set. If any predator moves within the defined area (or areas) the PDAM client has specified an alarm is sounded and the PDAM client is immediately notified by cell phone or pager (or other specified electronic device). Parents are also able to protect themselves and their children by determining appropriate “warning zones” around areas where sexual predators might visit, such as movie theaters, public meetings, concerts, shopping and service businesses.

Summary

The Predator Detection and Avoidance Monitoring system will extend the capability of existing judicial branches electronic monitoring technology by allowing individual citizens access to monitor all the sexual predator [physical] locations in their community. The PDAM internet service would be easy to use and allow the client/user to define specific areas on the PDAM map interface that would provide a notification alarm if any sexual predator comes within those areas. The PDAM service could then contact and report to a specific telephone number or contact a Personal Digital Assistant [PDA] the predators’ location. The immediate warning would allow client/users to take immediate action to avoid contact with the predator and/or report the predator misconduct to appropriate law enforcement.

Electric Power Distribution - A National Strategy

2009-10-03T12:01:00.006-05:00

The following is a letter I sent to President Obama, T. Boone Pickens, and My Congressman Chet Edwards.

As a land planner I can report to you that we are doing the wrong thing..., As a national strategy we should rethink how we are executing the new renewable wind energy effort.

Currently I see windmills and power generation being placed in rural remote areas. With that strategy the problem becomes creating a new and expensive distribution system to handle the new capacity and incorporate that capacity into the existing power grid. This strategy benefits a limited number of taxpayers.

What we should be doing is placing the power generation {windmills} along all the existing transportation corridors [Railroad, Interstate, and Electric Distribution ROW’s]. The property owners along the ROW’s would benefit and the electric distribution system could be increased as required, [and where it is needed]. The existing electric distribution intersects the transportation systems at numerous intervals and the interconnection opportunities become obvious. The obvious secondary opportunity is place power generation [windmills] along the existing electric distribution system and increase the existing distribution capacity. Again, the electric power is where it is needed and the numerous adjacent landowners benefit directly through [land] leasing of the windmill locations..

Deregulation has divided our electric energy into 3 categories: power creation, power distribution, and energy billing. Obviously, we might need to nationalize the existing power distribution grid and provide the ”best practice” guidelines for public use.

If we incorporate these ideas we can have commercial and residential power stability, and have electric vehicles [of all types] in place and operational much sooner than is planned.

I can provide many details if you see value in these ideas.

Regards,
--
Dennis Fehler
118-B South Main Street
McGregor, TX 76657
dennis@dennisfehler.com
254.723.8318

Cc:
President Obama
The Whitehouse
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

T. Boone Pickens
The Pickens Plan
PO Box 12123
Dallas, TX 75225

Congressman Chet Edwards
Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development
17th District, Texas
600 Austin Avenue, Suite 29
Waco, TX 76701
254.752.7760

Let’s Change Our Politicians

2009-09-21T08:17:00.003-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

The existing situation – Many Americans believe our political system is broken and in serious need of reform. It may not be the system, more than likely the real problem is the individuals we have chosen to administer our system of government.

The founding fathers provided for the people to be represented by those among us that choose and are selected to serve. Over time what has evolved is a pseudo-democratic process where only professional politicians thrive and millions of dollars are required just to participate in the electoral process. We have allowed self-serving “professional” politicians too much authority, they are out of touch, and they are often not following the will of the people.

Our national politicians have become expert at, and content with, deferring the difficult challenges in favor of wasting elaborate amounts of time on issues with little or no actual [national] value. They appear to be often and instantly distracted by the most insignificant issues preferring gridlock instead of working through and solving the important issues that continue to plague our society.

There are many distinct factions that are distracting and dividing the voting public. As a matter of practice “we the people” are being deceived and divided into small individual interests units that tend to cloud our collective ability to focus and thus insist on a successful unified national strategy. Our politicians seem to be primarily focused on getting elected and re-elected rather than doing the job they are elected to do.

The existing bureaucracy empowers and encourages lawmakers to do as they please. The senior Congressional leadership has an established system founded in cronyism and the few new Congressional members each year have no opportunity to change the process or introduce new ideas because of this long established “system.” If practices or procedures were changed the senior members would lose some or all of their power or authority they have “earned” while serving for many years.

We are governed nationally by one president, five hundred thirty five Congressmen and women [435 Representatives and 100 Senators], and nine Supreme Court justices. The Justices are appointed for life, the president is often a figure head with limited authority (except, of course, for his military power), so let’s focus on the members of Congress and apply our “will” to insist on reforming their behavior and the way they conduct their daily business.

How do we do it?

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf

Don’t Re-elect Anyone in Congress - DRAC

2009-09-21T08:15:00.001-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

To change the way Congress is managed “we the people” should not re-elect any current politician (Federal, State or Local) for a minimum period of 10 years [or until the current mess has changed for the better]. As we all know, Congressional members are not compelled to work together, so if they can’t or won’t work together let’s get rid of the entire group. Obviously they are not elected in the same years, so it will take several years to vote them all out, but it can be done.

Initially, the concept of not re-electing any (national) politician appears to be a harsh or radical idea that is impossible to accomplish. We all have favorite politicians that are (in our individual opinions) doing “a good job.” It would seem to be stepping backwards to remove them and lose their positions of seniority.

If we stay focused and DRAC for an extended period of time Congressional members will eventually understand completely what we the people are requiring. If you are concerned about their “well being,” be reassured, the existing members of Congress are protected by the lifetime pensions they appropriated for themselves, so don’t feel bad for them. If you are worried about finding qualified people to serve, don’t. If we eliminate the “old boy or seniority system” the best qualified people will come forward to serve. Just remember, “DRAC” [Don’t Re-elect Anyone in Congress] until we have candidates and a process we can directly control.

Also, if, for a period of time no qualified people exist in particular area of the country, the system can and will function without a few members here and there. There is a process “in place” to handle the new incoming political members, yes, the process will still function if all the members are considered junior members.

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf

Election Reform New Rules

2009-09-21T08:14:00.001-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

As we transition to electing new members of Congress we must insist on election reform. No more starting the election process the moment after the past election. So, a new rule is; in any election the candidates are limited to campaigning no sooner than 90 days prior to the election. If this strict time limit is instituted immediately the officials would keep to the business of government and not be wasting time and money seeking election.

Politicians get the same pension as the rest of us. No politician is awarded any special pension for serving. The special pensions that have been awarded are honored, but the pension “for life” is rescinded. This pension for life practice is ridiculous and attracts the wrong applicants. It will be cheaper to stop the practice now and pay them to leave than to continue this inbred process.

Politicians running for an office cannot run for election [for any new office] while serving in an existing office. For example, a serving Senator cannot run for U.S. President while in office as a Senator. Historically this has been allowed to happen, but is a bad practice because the politician’s attention is always divided. The local people support an ambitious candidate, but the candidate’s salary is paid from the national pool of money. Let’s prohibit all officials from the practice of double dipping.

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf

Require a Clear Annual Agenda

2009-09-21T08:13:00.001-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

Lawmakers appear to have no clear agenda to follow. As a body they seem to drift from crisis to crisis with little resolution. Lawmakers are often easily interrupted by business better represented by our judicial system, for example steroids in baseball.

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf

Determine and Control the Cost of Government

2009-09-21T08:12:00.002-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

Currently politicians are over spending our ability to pay and the business of politics continues to cost too much. We spent billions on the last election. Do we really want our elections to be determined by the amount of money one candidate or another spends.

We must require an annual balanced budget or at least the budget must be planned and balanced within the current term of the existing U.S. President.

The solution is to require [for example: Federal] government agencies to spend “less” money than budgeted each year. In addition, any budget percentage saved and returned to the national treasury is applied directly toward the promotion and tenure of that individual. The current bureaucratic practice is to spend at least what was budgeted if not more. The thinking is; “if I don’t spend the money I have budgeted I won’t get that same funding next year.” We must immediately stop this notoriously wasteful [unwritten] practice.

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf

Political Action Committees - PACS

2009-09-21T08:10:00.001-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

An abundant amount of professional special interest groups are focused on indirectly influencing and controlling the body of politicians by assisting in their election process and financing. Let’s allow special interest groups and organizations to continue their efforts but their financial contributions to politicians must be limited to $1000.00/year. [Violations are 5 year jail term]. Obviously, reducing the money PACS spend on government will refocus the politicians’ attention to the needs of the majority of people.

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf

Pork Barrel Politics and Earmarks

2009-09-21T08:08:00.001-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

It is obvious we can no longer allow Congress to continue without closer supervision. As voters we must explore every opportunity to eliminate the existing “pork barrel” style of politics. As you know lawmakers have historically “packaged” legislation together as a method [as they describe it] to “increase efficiency.” Let’s streamline their voting procedures and processes using the latest technology. Let’s require them to vote on each piece of legislation as individually presented bits of law that we all can understand and comment on at least two weeks “before” their vote. This practice would essentially create the presidential line item veto and would effectively balance the influence of special interest groups, and curb the usual party politics. Requiring each piece of legislation to be created, reviewed, and voted on individually would expose the source of credit or blame and stop the twofaced rhetoric that exist currently.

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf

Responsible and Timely Reporting

2009-09-21T08:05:00.001-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

The print and visual media appear to be selling air time and product advertising around their commenting and analyzing rather than just reporting information to the public. There is usually 30 minutes of “new / important” news each day, but takes 24 hours a day [on every network] to deliver the intended message? Before the 1960’s news people reported the news, over the next forty years television began what is now titled entertainment news, and in the last few years we are now subjected to the “speculation and prediction news.” There are very few existing independent news voices / sources remaining. News is released by corporations where it is contrived, packaged, and controlled very carefully. Spend a few moments and do a Google-search of the owners of the major broadcast and print media. The search results are a real “eye opener.”

Let’s allow the news media to become the secondary reporting tool that it really should be. Politicians must be required to contact their constituents directly [at least weekly] on a Congressional session basis. All positions and reports are posted in the public media and in a language that we the constituents understand and approve. All sources for broadcast and print news reporting is gleaned from these official reports and the usual individual political “grandstanding” is not encouraged.

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf

Timesheets and Progress Reports

2009-09-21T08:02:00.001-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

Let’s require our lawmakers to keep an accurate accounting of how they spend their time representing us. If they are not working on exactly what we assign them they don’t get paid.

At least weekly, every working government employee must report what they worked on that week and how much time was spent on those tasks / accomplishments. The collective reports are summarized upward and each agency provides a summary listing of progress. This time accounting practice must be applied to the Congress as well. Remember, politicians are elected locally, but are paid nationally which infers a certain [perhaps forgotten] national responsibility and obligation.

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf

A Less Distracting Meeting Place

2009-09-21T07:51:00.002-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

It appears that Congressional members have an inflated since of self worth. Over time our public servants have distanced themselves from the realities of daily life (as the rest of us know it). Also, there are too many people making an extravagant living from politics and the political machinery that is geographically centered on Washington D.C. The Washington environment has too many distractions that apparently interferer with an individual politicians’ ability to finish their assigned annual tasks. We should require [at least for the next 10 years] Senators and Representatives to meet in a Midwestern State. They would meet at the local convention center and stay at the local hotel / motels [just like the rest of us do]. They would have a modest staff, sit in folding chairs, and stay until the full business agenda is accomplished. We rent their palatial office spaces in Washington to private businesses to offset the costs of doing the normal Federal business. When not “in session” the elected officials stay in their respective states making themselves available to understanding the current will of their people.

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf

DRAC - Conclusion

2009-09-21T07:48:00.002-05:00

Mandates for Reforming Our National Politicians
[These ideas would apply to state and local government as well]

We, as a single minded group, must insist on political reform and now is the time to begin. This document is not a particular political party sponsored set of ideas, rather it is an outline for reforming the behavior of all politicians and the people that influence and profit from their elongated and biased process.

If we organize around the Don't Relect Anyone in Congress [DRAC] idea and not re-elect any politician [and keep that policy in effect] until all the goals outlined here are implemented by the House of Representatives and the US Senate we will all share in a deliberate power that can over time help us regain control over our bureaucrats. This is a powerful and timely idea that will work if we vote them all out, together without regard to party affiliation.

Who is in agreement?

Read the rest of the story:
www.dennisfehler.com/drac.pdf