Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Man accused of jamming cellphone signal on CTA held on $10,000
Crime 2 days
Man accused of jamming cellphone signal on CTA held on $10,000
Rummana Hussain
Daniel Brown
@danielbrown2011 | email
A 63-year-old CPA accused of jamming cellphone signals on a CTA Red Line train because he gets “annoyed” by commuters using their mobiles was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail Wednesday.
....
Nicholl had received supervision for a similar incident in 2009. .... Now, Nicholl is charged with one felony count of unlawful interference with a public utility for his alleged actions between the Loyola and Granville stops Tuesday.
....
Authorities had been investigating complaints from passengers about cellphone reception on trains, according to police. ... When they set up their surveillance, officers observed Nicholl, of the 1000 block of West Loyola Avenue, using an object that had five antennas, Antonietti said.
An officer who dialed a number noticed that his call had dropped and the police radio was also disabled by the cellphone jammer, Antonietti said.
Man accused of jamming cellphone signal on CTA held on $10,000
Rummana Hussain
Daniel Brown
@danielbrown2011 | email
A 63-year-old CPA accused of jamming cellphone signals on a CTA Red Line train because he gets “annoyed” by commuters using their mobiles was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail Wednesday.
....
Nicholl had received supervision for a similar incident in 2009. .... Now, Nicholl is charged with one felony count of unlawful interference with a public utility for his alleged actions between the Loyola and Granville stops Tuesday.
....
Authorities had been investigating complaints from passengers about cellphone reception on trains, according to police. ... When they set up their surveillance, officers observed Nicholl, of the 1000 block of West Loyola Avenue, using an object that had five antennas, Antonietti said.
An officer who dialed a number noticed that his call had dropped and the police radio was also disabled by the cellphone jammer, Antonietti said.
Lawyer: Man accused of jamming calls on Red Line 'disturbed by people talking around him'
By Steve Schmadeke
Chicago Tribune
March 9, 2016, 9:11 PM
Aaron Robison was commuting home from work last fall on the Brown Line when an older man carrying a plastic bag of Old Style beer took a seat across from him.
The man opened a beer and surveyed the car, scowling as he saw another rider talking on a cellphone a few feet away, Robison said. He watched as the man pulled a clunky black device topped with five antennas from his pocket and switched it on. ... Almost instantly, commuters who had been talking on their phones went silent, checking their screens for the source of their dropped calls, Robison said.
On Tuesday, undercover officers arrested the man who had allegedly created his own personal quiet car in recent months with an illegal device he imported from China, according to Cook County prosecutors and Chicago police.
An attorney for Dennis Nicholl, 63, a certified public accountant, said his client wanted only some peace and quiet on his commute from his North Side home to the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, where officials confirmed he works as a financial analyst.
By Steve Schmadeke
Chicago Tribune
March 9, 2016, 9:11 PM
Aaron Robison was commuting home from work last fall on the Brown Line when an older man carrying a plastic bag of Old Style beer took a seat across from him.
The man opened a beer and surveyed the car, scowling as he saw another rider talking on a cellphone a few feet away, Robison said. He watched as the man pulled a clunky black device topped with five antennas from his pocket and switched it on. ... Almost instantly, commuters who had been talking on their phones went silent, checking their screens for the source of their dropped calls, Robison said.
On Tuesday, undercover officers arrested the man who had allegedly created his own personal quiet car in recent months with an illegal device he imported from China, according to Cook County prosecutors and Chicago police.
An attorney for Dennis Nicholl, 63, a certified public accountant, said his client wanted only some peace and quiet on his commute from his North Side home to the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, where officials confirmed he works as a financial analyst.
Yes, I know this practice is "illegal," but I can relate. I can really, really relate.
I must have some sign that I cannot see that says to others, please sit next to me and converse loudly with someone on the other end of your phone.
And what is that guy at the back of the bus shouting in Arabic/Farsi/whatever into his phone?
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
Darn gummint regulations.
Home / Enforcement /
Jammer Enforcement
"Jamming devices create serious safety risks. In the coming weeks and months, we'll be intensifying our efforts through partnerships with law enforcement agencies to crack down on those who continue to violate the law. Through education, outreach, and aggressive enforcement, we're tackling this problem head on."
-- P. Michele Ellison, Chief, Enforcement Bureau
Jamming Prohibition
The use of "cell jammers" or similar devices designed to intentionally block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications (signal blockers, GPS jammers, or text stoppers, etc.) is a violation of federal law. Also, it is unlawful to advertise, sell, distribute, or otherwise market these devices to consumers in the United States. These devices pose serious risks to critical public safety communications, and can prevent you and others from making 9-1-1 and other emergency calls. Jammers can also interfere with law enforcement communications. Operation of a jammer in the United States may subject you to substantial monetary penalties, seizure of the unlawful equipment, and criminal sanctions including imprisonment.
Jammer Enforcement
***ALERT***
Federal law prohibits the operation, marketing, or sale of any type of jamming equipment, including devices that interfere with cellular and Personal Communication Services (PCS), police radar, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and wireless networking services (Wi-Fi).
"Jamming devices create serious safety risks. In the coming weeks and months, we'll be intensifying our efforts through partnerships with law enforcement agencies to crack down on those who continue to violate the law. Through education, outreach, and aggressive enforcement, we're tackling this problem head on."
-- P. Michele Ellison, Chief, Enforcement Bureau
Jamming Prohibition
The use of "cell jammers" or similar devices designed to intentionally block, jam, or interfere with authorized radio communications (signal blockers, GPS jammers, or text stoppers, etc.) is a violation of federal law. Also, it is unlawful to advertise, sell, distribute, or otherwise market these devices to consumers in the United States. These devices pose serious risks to critical public safety communications, and can prevent you and others from making 9-1-1 and other emergency calls. Jammers can also interfere with law enforcement communications. Operation of a jammer in the United States may subject you to substantial monetary penalties, seizure of the unlawful equipment, and criminal sanctions including imprisonment.
Here's one such device:
