Desperate Sheriff Denied Cell Locator by VERIZON
Verizon may have the “largest 3G” network but, if your bill is unpaid, it will be of no use to law enforcement or the Verizon client. On May 21, a despondent and desperate Ohio man consumed a large quantity of pills and vanished. The Sheriff called Verizon and requested his cell phone be turned on so they could locate the man. The Verizon employee refused to turn the phone on unless the Sheriff paid the overdue $20. That’s right. Twenty dollars. They refused the Sheriff’s request, even though they were told they would have to bring out rescue helicopters and planes, send out K9 units and bring in more personnel. The Verizon employee was unmoved.
Eleven hours later, the 25-year-old man was found — unconscious. The Sheriff had been trying to get the city to release funds so they could get the cell phone turned on when word came in that he had been located. So, Verizon won’t face a wrongful death lawsuit (because Lord knows that would cost far more than $20 to defend that). I can only hope that the Court of Public Opinion punishes Verizon appropriately. When did life become so cheap?
If you are a Verizon subscriber, be sure to keep your account up to date. If you’re not a Verizon subscriber, perhaps you should think twice about it. Original article.
What a load of crap this is, and uncritical thinking, as well. The man should have paid his bills (if he wanted to be found).
As it is, it would have been a violation of his privacy to reverse-engineer his location from his cell phone GPS.
Think of it…should the government have the right to figure anyone’s location, at any time, based on their cell phone?
Absolutely not. I object to their using the cell phone GPS without authorization, also. Another instance of big brother stepping in. It’s ludicrous to suggest Verizon should be subject to legal repercussions because of this.
Joan! How wonderful to have your comment. As expected, you would choose the opposing point of view because of too much governmental intervention in our lives. If I am lost, I count on law enforcement using my cell phone to find me. And, if it’s going to require thousands more in tax dollars to get a helicopter, K9 units and extra police, I for sure want them to use the cell phone … it only needs to be turned on for a few minutes, it doesn’t have to be turned on permanently. I guess we could just let people stay lost … no cell phones and no additional spending! Regardless, glad to see your comment!