DHS researching electric-shock bracelets to subdue airline terrorists (UPDATE: DHS denial)
My friend and frequent tipster Ol’ Shootin’ Buddy never steers me wrong, but…is this for real?
Back in March, Gadling blogged about a firearm training system, Lamperd, which had patented a bracelet that worked like a stun gun when activated.
…
That’s right. Your tax dollars are funding the R&D arm of DHS, which wants to develop technology that acts essentially as a GPS attached to your wrist, allowing the government to track pretty much everywhere you go once you check in for your flight, and giving the flight crew the ability to waylay you if you get out of hand.
I think they’re serious. The Washington Times thinks they’re serious. The Lamperd product concept video they’re referring to mentions that cockpit doors won’t be hardened “until 2003″. So this idea’s been percolating a while and is apparently still getting some backing:
Lamperd clarifies to the Wash Times that the stun-gun system would only work if it was enabled by a crew member during a hijacking situation. I’ve got a better idea–just give it the control to the passenger in the seat directly behind each passenger. It may not fight terrorism, but it would make flying much more civil.
Seriously, though: I’m all for exploring innovative approaches to airline security, but this is not encouraging. I’m getting sort of an OCP/ ED-209/ I think you’d better do what he says, Mr. Kinney vibe from that video, and I would not be excited to clamp an electric-shock bracelet around my child’s wrist.
Other people’s children, definitely. They need it. But not mine.
P.S. what happens if a terrorist manages to switch wristbands with someone else? Then the crew is sitting there zapping away at the wrong guy, and the terrorist gets a good laugh before he does his thing.
UPDATE: Via “securitymom” in the comments:
Michelle, this story isn’t true. Those of us on the TSA blog looked into it because we hasn’t heard anything about it before. Here’s the answer we got from the Science and Technology Office at DHS. It’s posted in the comments section on the Washington Times blog:
By: S&Tspokesman
Shocking, but FalseSometimes it just amazes me how these stories evolve. Let me start off by saying that the Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate nor TSA have been pursuing shock bracelets for airline passengers as alleged by the Washington Times Blog.
This allegation stemmed from a misleading video posted on the Lamberd Website which depicts an ID bracelet that would contain identifying information as well as the ability to stun the wearer. The company claims to connect use of such a device to DHS and TSA, but no discussions between these agencies has ever taken place.
This all originated from a meeting held two years ago with a private company representative (not Lamberd) who proposed bracelet technology in response to the TSA’s desire to find less-than-lethal means to detain an apprehended suspect.
The bracelet was never intended to replace boarding passes, contain ID information or be worn by all passengers as asserted in the Lamberd video and discussed in the Washington Times Blog.
The hypothetical use of the bracelet would have been for transporting already apprehended prisoners and detainees at prisons and border patrol facilities, and DHS was looking to see if there were potential air travel applications for apprehended suspects.
This concept was never funded or supported by the DHS or TSA and hasn’t even been discussed for two years. The letter circulating throughout the blogosphere from Paul Ruwaldt was not addressed to Lamberd and merely states the DHS was interested in learning more about the technology. Neither side followed up.
DHS/TSA does NOT support the asserted use and has not pursued the development of such technology.
Well, I hope not. It seems more than a little weird. But still, there’s this line in the text of the DHS letter to Lamperd:
In addition, it is conceivable to envision a use to improve air security, on passenger planes.
That is, “in addition” to controlling detainees/deportees, a use might be envisioned on passenger planes.
You can see where a line like that would raise some questions.
_______________
{Post by See-Dubya}
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- Your Bracelet Pleazzze!! « The Old Right Daily
- No, The DHS Isn’t Developing Shock Bracelets : The American Pundit
- A method to ensure I’ll never fly a passenger carrier again (Updated) « HoodaThunk?
- The Dan Lee Report » Blog Archive » Shocking news from Big Brother; Flying could be an electrifyng experience..
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- Did I just wake up in an Orwell novel? « Buttle’s World
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Can the testicle cuff (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) be far behind?
This news has been out there for a few months now. It’s a perfect example of sacrificing your rights for security - “So you’re okay with having your body scanned by a machine that can see you basically nude? Well let me show you this shock collar.” The question is when does this stop? When does government harassment and humiliation cross the line? Do they have to strip search your children? Cavity search you?
What I’d love to see is the TSA and DHS abolished.
Whoa. I was kinda agreeing with you there until the end.
What’s next, the “Running Man” collar?
If the airlines were so serious about securing the aircraft, they wouldn’t allow any carry-on luggage nor anything on your person besides your clothing, ID, and necessary medical items.
This would, of course, necessitate the airlines fixing their luggage tracking system, which is quite pitiful.
Well, you’re pushed through squeeze chutes at the airport. A cattle prod can’t be too far in the future.
Here’s the problem. On flights in and out of San Francisco, some of the passengers will be bribing the crew to zap ‘em.
Is this the new cattle prod? It has felt like a cattle car for some time in coach.
Mooooooo!!!!!
This cowboy is not going to ride.
I’m shocked, I tell ya. Are they testing those things on the released Gitmo detainees? I’m for that.
Now the new slogan: DOn’t electric shock me, bro
You will be.
No, silly. That would be torture.
I really hope this is a hoax. Otherwise, if they think airlines are in financial trouble now, just wait!
I am so glad I don’t own any airline stock.
The answer is “Infidel Airlines”, all the seats are covered in pigskin, all passenger’s faces must be fully visible at all times i.e. no burkas, hijab, niqab or whatever, in-flight meals will include pork products on every item, and the only snacks available will be pork rinds.
If you don’t like it Fly Jet Blue, American, El Al, Delta or walk.
I’d pay extra to fly in comfort and security without being treated like cattle to avoid profiling.
FLY INFIDEL AIRLINES, GET TREATED LIKE A VALUABLE CUSTOMER AGAIN.
It would be good for people who drink this stuff.
Michelle, this story isn’t true. Those of us on the TSA blog looked into it because we hasn’t heard anything about it before. Here’s the answer we got from the Science and Technology Office at DHS. It’s posted in the comments section on the Washington Times blog:
By: S&Tspokesman
Shocking, but False
Sometimes it just amazes me how these stories evolve. Let me start off by saying that the Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate nor TSA have been pursuing shock bracelets for airline passengers as alleged by the Washington Times Blog.
This allegation stemmed from a misleading video posted on the Lamberd Website which depicts an ID bracelet that would contain identifying information as well as the ability to stun the wearer. The company claims to connect use of such a device to DHS and TSA, but no discussions between these agencies has ever taken place.
This all originated from a meeting held two years ago with a private company representative (not Lamberd) who proposed bracelet technology in response to the TSA’s desire to find less-than-lethal means to detain an apprehended suspect.
The bracelet was never intended to replace boarding passes, contain ID information or be worn by all passengers as asserted in the Lamberd video and discussed in the Washington Times Blog.
The hypothetical use of the bracelet would have been for transporting already apprehended prisoners and detainees at prisons and border patrol facilities, and DHS was looking to see if there were potential air travel applications for apprehended suspects.
This concept was never funded or supported by the DHS or TSA and hasn’t even been discussed for two years. The letter circulating throughout the blogosphere from Paul Ruwaldt was not addressed to Lamberd and merely states the DHS was interested in learning more about the technology. Neither side followed up.
DHS/TSA does NOT support the asserted use and has not pursued the development of such technology.
July 8, 2008 at 5:08 p.m.
The device is fool-proof! Why, you’d need some sort of razor blade or box-cutter to get it off your wrist. /sarc
All that is required to defeat it is to slide an insulating material between the contacts and one’s wrist.
Ahh a Lion!: What I’d love to see is the TSA and DHS abolished.
Ronald Reagan: Government is not a solution to our problem, government is the problem…who among us has the capacity to govern someone else?
Ben Franklin: A republic, if you can keep it.
I think Ahh a Lion!, Reagan, and Franklin all make pretty much the same point: government gets out of control. It’s what happens when certain people claim authoritah over everyone else. Those in power abuse their power and twist it toward narcissistic ends, or, worst case, use it to increase their power for the sake of having more…power.
The fact that government is seriously considering treating us like dogs that need electroshock therapy to keep us from getting hit by cars should give a clue that something’s not right.
I’m thinking we’ve long since lost the republic.
Quotable Ben Franklin: They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Seriously. Electroshock dog collars? I’m with Ahh a Lion! Something’s rotten in DHS, and it needs to go.
Eh, seems securitymom might have negated my post a little.
Maybe we could get the tree sitters in Berkley to believe this is some “new age save the trees” jewelry and send it up with their next batch of energy bars and water. Then that problem is fixed.
I got this same exact claim in my inbox this morning. It goes right in my little “Ridiculous Claims” folder on my computer. It joins:
(-)Bush will suspend the Constitution to serve past 2008.
(-)A Mexican gang is going around killing the first driver to notify them that they’re car lights are out.
(-)Bush is going polar bear hunting.
Etc.
People must stop being so gullible and verify before forwarding it to their email list.
OK, each bracelet would have to have a independent frequency because if you activate a terrorist’s bracelet me thinks you’d activate everyone elses. Right? Commom sense, perhaps…
Whether this story is true or false hardly matters. The point is that the government will do anything to avoid the horror of profiling. Always, always, always make everyone suffer, rather then identify the most likely hi-jackers.
I think El-Al airlines has a very good record for preventing terrorist events.
I don’t think PC-considerations play an important part in their operations.
Hmmm, Minority Report.
Just lacks the little carved wood ball.
Even if the story were true, presumably the bracelet would be locked. Otherwise the whole concept would be pointless. The terrorist wouldn’t need to trade with someone else, he’d just take it off. Or people would just be taking it off once they got on the plane anyway.
Just let us carry our sidearms onboard and we can take care of the hijackers, noisey children and the louse who took my peanuts!
Hey it’s after 5.
==========
Just another bitter American clinging to my God and Guns.
If certified carry had been allowed and a revision of the old instructions of -”just do not provoke a hijacker”…..
the box cutters would not have worked and we would still have 3,000 + and the WTC…..
The sad part here is that given the way the DHS/TSA and the airlines treat everyone the story is actually believeable.
Chertoff does kind of look like Charlie Callas..
vvvvvvtt .. vvvvvvtt
just hope it doesn’t interfere with the in flight wireless internet
Why not just overserve the suspect with all the $6 bottles of beer the non-expense account passengers refuse to buy?
That’s interesting because I envisioned this scenario.
It assumes that the threat is from passengers and not the crew members. I wouldn’t be so sure these days. Muslims are experts at exploiting liberalism, especially their opposition to profiling. They can cry “racist” if airlines don’t hire Muslims as crew members or pilots.
I have noticed quite a few Muslims at Customs, and on a flight I took a couple of weeks ago from Cleveland there was a Muslim stewardess. I’m sure Muslims are actively attempting to become pilots for airlines. If they don’t hire them, they are “racist.”
That’s why I think pilots having guns and crew members access to these bands is pretty scary. You don’t want Muslim crew members controlling these things.
Either! Just as no one would really want a Nazi crew member during WWII.
When I first saw the video on the company’s website, I thought I was watching a segment from The Onion, but I was incorrect. Lamperd Less Lethal, Inc. is a public traded company that specializes in non-lethal restraint devices. I found this out by just a quick reading of their company website, which by the way, has plenty of information regarding this EMD bracelet.
Which begs the questions, what are the few of you thinking when you say this story isn’t true? Because a DHS spokesperson tells you its not true? The company that designed the bracelet and produced the video released a response yesterday, which is also updated on the Washington Times story, and it reads:
We wish to clear up any misconceptions regarding the EMD Safety Bracelet for Airline Security.
The bracelets remain inactive until a hijacking situation has been identified. At such time a designated crew member will activate the bracelets making them capable of delivering the punitive measure - but only to those that need to be restrained. We believe that all passengers will welcome deliverance from a hijacking, as will the families, carriers, insurance providers etc. The F-16 on the wingtip is not to reassure the passengers during a hijacking but rather to shoot them down. Besides activation using the grid screen, the steward / stewardess will have a laser activator that can activate any bracelet as needed by simply pointing the laser at the bracelet - that laser dot only needs to be within 10 inches of the bracelet to activate it.
DHS then claims in their response:
The bracelet was never intended to replace boarding passes, contain ID information or be worn by all passengers.
Says who? Not according to the company who was researching and designing the bracelet, you know, the company who made the promotional video? Because that’s EXACTLY what it was intended to do. Did DHS even bother watching the video?
And DHS further claims:
The hypothetical use of the bracelet would have been for transporting already apprehended prisoners and detainees at prisons and border patrol facilities, and DHS was looking to see if there were potential air travel applications for apprehended suspects.
But that’s not what the letter says:
We see the potential uses to include prisoner transportation, detainee control, and the military security forces might have some interest. In addition, it is conceivable to envision a use to improve air security, on passenger planes.
“In addition” to me means –– well, in addition.
And lastly, DHS claims:
DHS/TSA does NOT support the asserted use and has not pursued the development of such technology.
Once again, that’s not what the very last line of the letter states:
To make it clear, we are interested in the mobile read/write emitter concept in conjunction with the immobilizing security bracelet, and look forward to receiving a written proposal.
If DHS does not support its use nor wish to pursue development of the bracelet, then why did it want to “make it clear” that they looked forward to receiving a written proposal?
This isn’t rocket science here. DHS is in full CYA mode because they got caught with their pants down. And that’s not shocking at all.
Actually pleasantly surprised that nobody around here thinks this is a good idea.
Gabe, you have some serious problems brah. Must really suck to live your life in perpetual fear.
This one’s true…it happened to me just last week.
On July 10th, 2008 at 12:45 am, RabbidSquirrel said:
o.O You’re dead?
/registered to vote as a Democrat yet?
This was just posted on the Washington Times story as an update:
* * * * *
UPDATE: From CheifBo in the comment section
I would like to inform all interested in the truth about Lamperd’s involvement in this project [EMD safety bracelet]. I have personnally been involved in the research and development of state of the art training programs and weapon systems with Lapmerd Less Lethal for the past eight years and have found them to be of the highest of integrity and concern for human life and the preservation of peace. Their mission is to develop and distribute the best products in the world when it comes to Law Enforcement, Security and Military applications within use of force. Having been a sworn law enforcement officer for nearly 27 years and a police trainer in Use of Force Management since 1993 I have observed alot of devices and gimmicks that have come and gone as the catch all in securing America.
Lamperd agreed in principal to assist in the development of this product for the patent holder [inventor]. Once this is established, then more research is placed on the actual application of the device. We conduct our training hands on, we do not farm it out as others do. So before we are ready to place a product on the market we know what it is expected to do and how it is expected to perform. We also go through great lengths to put in place a training program that will school even the novice in safely using any product used in applying force in any situation. I think alot of the readers have jumped the gun when it comes to this issue and this certain product. Lamperd is a publicly traded company that keeps its shareholders informed on its latest products and projects. I admire them for this and so do thousands of police, military and security personnel from all around the world that we have trained. Please feel free to peruse their internet site for continuing updates on products and its mission at http://www.lamperdlesslethal.com and be safe out there.
* * * * *
So much for the story not being true.
Yes.
This “EMD Security Bracelet” story has at least some truth to it and has been discussed on various ScienceBlogs blogs back in April:
http://scienceblogs.com/gregladen/2008/04/shock_arm_band_wave_of_the_fut.php
http://www.scienceblogs.de/frischer-wind/2008/03/flugreisen-2020-schockarmbander-fur-alle-passagiere.php
Looking at this security concept, one really has to wonder if it would be impossible for a terrorist to find out the transmission frequency that triggers these bracelets and take the entire planeload of passengers hostage using an ordinary laptop with some simple modifications (and since you are allowed to bring these on board…). As if the DHS screeners could distinguish between a ‘normal’ laptop and a ‘wired’ one…
Maybe the airlines should just strip-search all passengers before allowing them on the plane - and then handcuff them to their seats…
There was a time when flying used to be fun; endless carts of food going by, free drinks, nice crew members. Now it’s like checking into jail. Personally, I’ve given up flying anywhere, unless it’s overseas again. I’d rather spend an extra day or 2 driving where I need to go, rather than go through the “humiliation” of flying. At least (not yet) I don’t have to go through security to get something to eat, or check into a motel.
The responses to this device show the well-earned mistrust of Government.
MY read of this is the device is intended for prisoner transport; I wouldn’t have a problem with that application as it would make it easier to transport them via common carrier rather than (expensive) one-off arragements.
However there’s always the possibility some bureaucrat gets the bright idea of a wider application for this device; for instance what if all corrections institutions required the inmates to wear their bracelets?
Would there be a further mission-creep where those evacuated from a disaster zone be required to wear them?
I think the idea is from Star Trek, season 3, episode 1. The Morgs, (males), were permanently fitted with an obedience device and forced to live in the planet’s harsh environment on the surface while serving the Eymorgs, (females), who all lived underground in a pristine setting.
After near 30 years of marriage I know there is no question that every woman will buy such a device when it becomes available,(I’m actively watching for an IPO). It looks like DHS is bringing us one step closer to where no man has gone before…
Annie Jacobsen’s “The Aviation Nation” carried a post on this 7/2.
I see postings from dead people.
DHS can deny it all they want, but the Lamberd Less Lethal website has documents right on it showing the communications between them & DHS about this very device, & its potential uses. They were definitely at least considering buying it.
Just scroll down to the bracelet, & read the PDF documents for yourself.
~Dan Lee
Wow, you’re typing really well for someone that was just murdered by a gang last week..
~Dan Lee
To follow up on my earlier comment, I’m not saying the letter is a hoax - it’s a company trying to sell a product. The letter is two years old and nothing came out of it. I have never heard of any discussion in the past two years I’ve been at TSA to use any kind of bracelet for anyone.