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Addendum: Dealing with criminal political goons

By kateb, Section Diaries
Posted on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 07:03:07 AM EST

I did not get into this earlier because I'm still coming to terms with it. Posting now because "being in denial" about it is not going to serve me or anyone very well.

The goons use electronic surveillance too. If you're not into understanding that stuff, it can sound too intimidating. It's a good thing to get professional advice about. There are good steps you can take once you get over the intimidation. Before you think about hiring someone, have a sit down meeting with someone in the DA's office. You can trust those people.

Also want to add it's not good to keep stuff in your car, like directions to the places you go.

Over and over again, I keep hearing I should not be trusting the Albany police with this investigation. I guess I'm going to be the guinea pig on that experiment.

< Epilogue 3, the John Sweeney story | Albany police, Office of Professional Standards >

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Addendum: Dealing with criminal political goons | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 hidden)

Electronic Surveillance (none / 0) (#1)
by alfrednewman on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 10:09:14 AM EST

I was looking at Google Earth and punched in my address. And there I was in my back yard. From Outer Space. Very Scary. They are watching.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"

I'm sorry (none / 0) (#2)
by kateb on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 12:30:51 PM EST

about your problems with space aliens, Alfred.

People are keeping me busy enough.

[ Parent ]

: Not Space aliens or even Illegal aliens (none / 0) (#3)
by alfrednewman on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 02:24:31 PM EST

the GOVERNMENT, Kate.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

Walk away (none / 0) (#4)
by AlfredMoisiu on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 02:48:55 PM EST

Assuming you're not just a paranoid nutcase, whatever you're trying to prove probably isn't worth the risk that you're facing. If people really are breaking into your car, bugging or using GPS trackers on you, etc... that's serious shit. If its been going on for a few months and the police/DA/FBI/etc cannot do anything about it, your situation is not going away.

Your previous posts imply that there is a law enforcement connection to this stuff, so better hope that you, your family and friends have no bad habits. One slip-up on your part and you'll be up the proverbial creek.

A LOT of serious shit (none / 0) (#5)
by kateb on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 03:05:47 PM EST

is going on. I've barely mentioned the details here, not wanting to impede any investigations. Here, I've been mostly focused on letting anyone else experiencing it know what they can do about it. I'm doing that because I'm very angry it's happening.

I know it is common practice for a minority of vocal people to accuse people of paranoia, but that just has to be ignored by those of us experiencing the ongoing stalking and harassment. It can delay victims seeking necessary assistance.

Also, for your info, law enforcement made the government/political connection. It has been termed witness intimidation (in a case involving public corruption) and obstruction of justice.

The interesting thing about reactions on a supposedly progressive board like this one is law enforcement is far more concerned about my safety than I am, and here I often find totally off base assumptions that I'm exaggerating. Makes me wonder where the word progressive comes from.

I won't be deterred in speaking up.

By the way, I do walk away. That does not stop it.

[ Parent ]

Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep (none / 0) (#7)
by alfrednewman on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 03:28:48 PM EST

*I know it is common practice for a minority of vocal people to accuse people of paranoia, but that just has to be ignored by those of us experiencing the ongoing stalking and harassment.*

Kate: Im not stalked or harassed. What makes you rank so high?
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

: you mean (none / 0) (#8)
by kateb on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 03:40:10 PM EST

why me and not you?
An intense, focused, curt FBI man yelled at me to cut out that thinking. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO UNDERSTAND BAD GUYS (except they always go after the girl).
I sense that's the first thing us laypeople try to do, understand bad guys, try to make it make sense.
Being yelled at helped me get over it. I don't know what's going to help you.
One thing I did learn is public corruption runs deep in this city. Breeds a lot of bad guys.

[ Parent ]

For the record (none / 0) (#19)
by AlfredMoisiu on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 06:45:49 PM EST

I wasn't assuming that you're some crank -- but this is an anonymous message board, so you shouldn't be suprised that the thought crosses people's minds. I personally have no reason to believe for disbelieve you... I'm sure you think I'm an asshole for stating it, but it needed to be said.

Anyone arond here with open ears hears rumblings of serious stuff going on in these parts, its hard to be suprised these days.

But if certain persons are engaging in sophisticated electronic eavesdropping and physical intimidation, you're in over your head. Walk away or move away for you own safety. If law enforcement folks are concerned about you, there's a reason... you aren't the first person in your position.

Things to keep in mind:

Electronically, you cannot trust any traditional communications medium. Organized crime uses emerging technology to keep ahead of the Feds, you should do the same.
Don't do any personal or sensitive business over a work computer, and use tools like Vidalia on the web, particularly when posting to a website like this which hosted in the US. Avoid using Internet Explorer.
You should get a Mac and turn on FileVault or use a PC encrypted with a tool like Alertsec (http://www.alertsec.com/) and use it for all of your communications.
Believe it or not, something like Skype on a secure PC is probably more secure than your traditional phone.

I'm sure you know alot of this. Remember that I'm just some asshole on the internet and stay safe.

[ Parent ]

: Thanks for explaining (none / 0) (#21)
by kateb on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 12:25:44 AM EST

I already did most of that, except moving.
Now I also hand write important communications and ask for in person meetings.
That's my thinking right now. Unless the goons are stopped, I expect this to go on for a couple more years. I envision having to regularly get lots of paid advice if I stick to electronics. Right now I think I'd rather wait and spend that money on a new Mac.
My lawyer has a relative whose only job is doing telephone investigations for the Feds, and that person claims it's easy to track back. You just have to want to do it, have access to do it, and all that.
I'm staying put. I think I'm safer here anyway. Recently they've had more interest in following me out of town.

[ Parent ]

I forgot to say (none / 0) (#18)
by kateb on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 02:52:13 PM EST

anything about this: "Your previous posts imply that there is a law enforcement connection to this stuff, so better hope that you, your family and friends have no bad habits. One slip-up on your part and you'll be up the proverbial creek."

Twice, months apart, APD patrol cars followed me around. I'm not ignorant, so I went round the block both times and "caught" them. Both times I told police command, who believed me, and both times I shrugged and asked them not to do anything about it. I'm getting older. In my 20's, I'd go to the mat about stuff like that. In my 40's, it was enough to catch them myself and let us all walk away.

All I need from this police is what they give without delay: lightning speed reaction to emergencies, even when I call the non-emergency number.

I have serious concerns about the detectives office, but I think their problems are short staffing, and a piling on of personnel when there is something happening; maybe only a couple people from the detectives unit need to back up patrol. When the whole unit drops what they're doing, they fall into a triage mentality when they don't have to with the things they dropped. If you ever watched the APD at work, you'd know what I mean.

I love to walk, and when I have a beer I always do. Some years I forget about the auto inspection, but I made sure not to this year.

[ Parent ]

: p.s. (none / 0) (#23)
by kateb on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 09:22:51 AM EST

Sometimes I used to call the non-emergency number (438-4000) because I couldn't tell (chronic stalking is like that) and I wanted it not to be happening (chronic stalking is like that too). The two times I did that the police could tell, and they came fast.
The detective on the case told me to call him or 911 ALL THE TIME so I don't have to decide anymore.
(Heavy sigh.)
Looking forward to getting my life back. Being a crime victim sucks.

[ Parent ]

It's time for another (none / 0) (#6)
by kateb on Mon Feb 19, 2007 at 03:15:34 PM EST

public thank you to the dedicated and hard working members of local law enforcement who know the difficult realities crime victims deal with. The generosity of the people I've met is outstanding when it comes to offering advice and guidance, even if most of the time I don't want to hear it. It all sucks, and they know that too.

By the way, you can't un-ring a bell. This is retaliation/intimidation about events that have already happened.

Again (none / 0) (#9)
by kateb on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 04:51:51 AM EST

so it doesn't get overlooked.

Watch for electronic surveillance if you are already being targeted by political goons.

Bad guys who are already targeting you will do that too.

Local police is not good at it and is not experienced. You will need professionals in electronic surveillance. And it would be good to have a sit down meeting with a DA investigator if it involves public (or corporate) corruption.

If I remembered this much right, the pros told me this:

Do not use a wireless internet connection.
Do not use a cordless telephone for important calls.
Have a radio playing when you're on the phone.
Try to talk on the phone from an interior room.
If your laptop is ever out of your possession, have it checked for commercial spyware.
Your cell may have a GPS that they use for tracking you.
Try to make changes quietly. If the goons see you "pushing back", they will push back.

I don't like this stuff. The police don't either. It's best to talk to pros and meet with the DA.

Keep in mind this advice is just for people who already know they are being targeted. None of this was part of my world until political goons got angry about reporting public corruption. Don't worry about it if you don't have to.

Kate (none / 0) (#10)
by alfrednewman on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 06:00:42 AM EST

If they are watching you they can easily tap your hardwired phone as well.

If they are this is what you will experience- depending on where they tap it:

Interior of your house: noticeable drop in line quality, low tones and clicking.
Exterior, (switching and sub terminals), crossed wires where you can actually talk to anothers party, your phone ringing when another number is being dialed.

An office I was once working at had its phone bugged.

"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

thanks Alfred (none / 0) (#11)
by kateb on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 08:35:29 AM EST

I was told that too. Pros said bad guys can access the line, period. I didn't get into that, because I thought it was obvious and I don't want to telegraph what I'm doing about it.

I want to emphasize again see pros and the DA. Leave police out of it. Pros and the DA act the same day. Police let it drag on for months and months even when there are detectives on the case, because they don't understand it.

[ Parent ]

p.s. (none / 0) (#12)
by kateb on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 09:02:52 AM EST

and get a "stardust" shredder (I think that's the name). It can't be glued back together. Staples sells them.

[ Parent ]

Seriously Kate (none / 0) (#13)
by alfrednewman on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 09:09:47 AM EST

If they are monitoring you at all they you wont know it. The only way I knew my office was bugged was a conversation I had ended up in a NYC newspaper story.
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

Alfred (none / 0) (#14)
by kateb on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 09:42:40 AM EST

It's best to talk to pros, who can explain how you know.

And there are also good self-defense acts they can explain.

One thing I had learned from my lawyer is telephones are easy to compromise but it is also easy to find who did it.

The only reason I brought this up is I was ignoring it too much. A friend intervened because he saw it, and brought in a pro.

Then I got to wondering about the police, who will make 20 or 200 rides by, in a car, and no rides by on the electronics. It will probably take a couple decades for them to adapt. In the meantime, there's a wealth of resources to turn to privately. And meet with the DA.

(Law enforcement tends to hire private contractors to DO electronic surveillance, which is why they have no internal experience to use to detect electronic surveillance. And because they have no experience, they ignore it.)

[ Parent ]

to clarify (none / 0) (#15)
by kateb on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 10:15:04 AM EST

I said this: "One thing I had learned from my lawyer is telephones are easy to compromise but it is also easy to find who did it."

I should have said telephone lines, not telephones. Tampering with telephone lines leaves an electronic fingerprint.

Bad guys tend to use other less identifiable means, which is what I was focusing on in those steps.

I said everything I want to say, because it's not my thing.

[ Parent ]

Kate (none / 0) (#16)
by alfrednewman on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 10:51:34 AM EST

This happened ten years ago in Clifton Park. There had been a break in a couple of weeks before I knew we were being monitored.

They stole beer out of the office fridge and money out of desks. Looked like kids.

Any "break ins?" lately?
"What? Me worry? " "whatmeworry.alfred@gmail.com"
[ Parent ]

: I can't (none / 0) (#17)
by kateb on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 12:24:20 PM EST

give details. Might need it for court some day.
When it's over, I'll give a play by play to help other people.

[ Parent ]

Ever hear of Kevin Mitnick? (none / 0) (#20)
by AlfredMoisiu on Tue Feb 20, 2007 at 06:56:36 PM EST

Social engineering your way into Ma Bell isn't very difficult, and leaves no trace. Mr. Mitnick cracked into telephone company switches for nearly 20 years.

Google around and read about how organized crime has essentially compromised the phone network in Las Vegas. In Vegas, various people re-route telephone calls away from competing escort services, strip clubs and drug dealers to their own people.

Avoid traditonal communications, period. Look to use emerging or P2P technologies, particularly from places like Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

[ Parent ]

It's interesting (none / 0) (#22)
by kateb on Wed Feb 21, 2007 at 12:05:44 PM EST

Did some reading about it yesterday. One thing that caught my eye is fed agents had access several times, but did not know how to interpret what they had. Skills have advanced since then, on both sides.

There's an intellectual "hump" to get over, driving by a physical location and driving by an electronic location. Local police will some day have some skills in the latter. Right now they are farming it out to private contractors, and then say it's too expensive when they need it to look into crimes. (I think people have to die first or lose millions, but then the police would probably come up with the money for the contractors and still not learn.)

In the meantime, we taxpayers have to decide what's worth spending our own money on. Something doesn't seem right.

[ Parent ]

I'm filing a claim with the NY Crime Victims Board (none / 0) (#24)
by kateb on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 09:33:52 AM EST

I got the info for that from DA Soares.

The claim form actually includes expenses for "security devices/system" for crime victims.

Sometimes New York state does things right.

Just wanted to mention it for anyone else who needs the info.

The NYS Crime Victims Board is at cvb.state.ny.us

[ Parent ]

We're better off that they aren't (none / 0) (#25)
by AlfredMoisiu on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 04:20:06 PM EST

Computer security and forensics techniques aren't sophisticated enough to unleash beat cops with computer training on the citizenry.

I work with people who have taken computer forensics courses... the standards for "virtual" evidence don't seem to be as strict or clear-cut as physical evidence, particularly given the number of compromised PCs out there.

[ Parent ]

: but it (none / 0) (#26)
by kateb on Thu Feb 22, 2007 at 05:05:50 PM EST

would be useful to investigate.
Detectives skip that part of an investigation, in denial about it. That is a major public safety omission/hazard when electronic communications are compromised to further criminal behavior.
You should have heard D'Alessandro react to all the APD missed and failed to respond to.
Pros and the DA's office are on the same page.

[ Parent ]

Addendum: Dealing with criminal political goons | 26 comments (26 topical, 0 hidden)

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