Open Source Data Reveals Police Blunders

A blogger in New York has used public data to prove that the New York Police Department (NYPD) ticketed thousands of cars that were actually parked legally.

Ben Wellington made the discovery after officers kept ticketing his own car, parked on a pavement ramp on the street where he lives.

"It was a surprising find," Mr. Drivers have been allowed to park in some of these spaces since 2009.The NYPD wrote to Wellington to confirm his findings and sent a message to officers clarifying the rules.

To discover the extent of the problem, Wellington examined data published through New York City's Open Data portal, which includes information on the most common parking places in the city where tickets are issued to cars on pedestrian ramps.

He then checked some of the locations via Google Street View to ensure that the ramps were not connected to a crosswalk - in which case the ticket would have been justified. At one spot in Brooklyn, $48,000 (£33,000) had been issued in erroneous fines over a two and a half year, period.

Wellington detailed several examples on his blog, I Quant NY, including three more spaces at each of which more than $40,000 (£27,500) in fines had been given out over the same period.

"It was a surprising find," Mr. Wellington told the BBC. "What I was actually most surprised by was the response from the police department who basically said, 'yep, that's all true' - that's an unusual thing to happen when working with public data."

In a statement, the NYPD said: "Mr. Wellington's analysis identified errors the department made in issuing parking summonses. "It appears to be a misunderstanding by officers on patrol of a recent, abstruse change in the parking rules." We appreciate Mr. Wellington bringing this anomaly to our attention." It added that while traffic agents had been trained following the adoption of new rules in 2009, officers had not. A message has now been sent to all officers updating them on pedestrian ramp regulations.

To allow others a means of quickly checking which pedestrian ramp parking spaces are most frequently ticketed, Wellington has plotted the 1,000 most common locations on an interactive map.

"I think all those spots got eight or more tickets in the last two-and-a-half years," said Mr. Wellington. "The list of five or more tickets had about 2,000 spots."

Mr. Wellington has used open data in the past to challenge ticketing decisions in the city. He said he hopes his latest success will help to empower fellow citizens. "I see it as a sign of what the future of government could look like as more data gets out and more citizens have the ability to look through that data and make recommendations for how cities could run better," he said.

Mr. Wellington added that he plans to do a follow-up analysis six months or a year from now, to check whether the number of erroneously issued tickets at pedestrian ramps has fallen.

Open Cities

Use of public data in cities around the world has increased in recent years. The Future Spaces Foundation think tank, based in London, recently reported on how much transport data had been made openly available in various cities around the world.

For example, there are now more than 460 apps powered by Transport for London data while, in Singapore, commuters are able to access information on the current levels of standing room and seating available on public transport.

The city's Land Transport Authority app also includes data on the availability of parking spaces near to a passenger's destination.

BBC: http://bbc.in/1rYYikT

« Achieving Holistic Cybersecurity
First Shots Of A New Cyber War »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

Cyber Security Supplier Directory

Cyber Security Supplier Directory

Our Supplier Directory lists 6,000+ specialist cyber security service providers in 128 countries worldwide. IS YOUR ORGANISATION LISTED?

Practice Labs

Practice Labs

Practice Labs is an IT competency hub, where live-lab environments give access to real equipment for hands-on practice of essential cybersecurity skills.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

The PC Support Group

The PC Support Group

A partnership with The PC Support Group delivers improved productivity, reduced costs and protects your business through exceptional IT, telecoms and cybersecurity services.

Radware

Radware

Radware is a global leader of application delivery and cyber security solutions for virtual, cloud and software defined data centers.

Spambrella

Spambrella

Spambrella provides email security with real-time threat protection. 100% SaaS (nothing to install)

4N6

4N6

4N6 is a privately-owned firm founded with the goal of providing expert knowledge of computer forensics.

Signifyd

Signifyd

Signifyd is the world's largest provider of Guaranteed e-Commerce Fraud Protection.

Matta

Matta

Matta is a cyber security consulting company providing information security services and solutions including vulnerability assessments, penetration testing and emergency response.

Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC)

Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC)

Dubai Electronic Security Center (DESC) was founded to develop and implement information security practices in Dubai.

InstaSafe Technologies

InstaSafe Technologies

InstaSafe®, a Software Defined Perimeter based (SDP) one-stop Secure Access Solution for On-Premise and Cloud Applications.

Destel

Destel

Destel is a system integrator and provider of IT services focused on Advanced Network & Security Solutions.

Seekurity

Seekurity

Seekurity is an information security consulting firm specialized in all areas of Cyber Security including Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Assessments and Risk Management.

FortKnoxster

FortKnoxster

FortKnoxster is a cybersecurity company within the Crypto & FinTech space. Our encryption technologies are blockchain integrated.

HACKNER Security Intelligence

HACKNER Security Intelligence

HACKNER Security Intelligence is an independent security consultancy delivering comprehensive security assessments across IT security, physical security, and social engineering.

Redbot Security

Redbot Security

Redbot Security provides industry leading manual penetration testing. Protecting critical systems and data - red team attack and breach simulations, (OT) critical infrastructure testing.

WiebeTech

WiebeTech

WiebeTech’s line of digital forensics tools provide innovative and rugged devices for efficient disk imaging and evidence capture.

NextGen Cyber Talent

NextGen Cyber Talent

NextGen Cyber Talent is a non-profit providing a platform to increase diversity and inclusion in the cybersecurity industry.

ThreatNix

ThreatNix

ThreatNix is a tight knit group of experienced security professionals who are committed to providing competent cybersecurity solutions that adhere to international standards.

Endari

Endari

Endari specializes in building cybersecurity maturity within the operational DNA of early-stage startups and SMBs.