Part of why my insurance rates are so high

[Papa_Complex]

We have some of the highest insurance rates in the country, in the Greater Toronto Area, and it's scammers like this guy who are the reason why.

They're also the reason why I don't go anywhere without a video camera running, these days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LptT_hGmQkY#t=0s

[Captain Morgan]

Wow. Fortunately, I don't live in a high traffic city, but wouldn't mind getting a dash cam after seeing this.

[Papa_Complex]

Wow. Fortunately, I don't live in a high traffic city, but wouldn't mind getting a dash cam after seeing this.

I've been running cameras, on both my bike and car, for maybe 10 months now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETa07-Wcsw0

[Gas Man]

WOW. I would have beat this dudes ass. WTF!!

[Lamnidae]

I've been running cameras, on both my bike and car, for maybe 10 months now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETa07-Wcsw0

details on your setup?

[Papa_Complex]

Update on the story:

The two people involved were interviewed by a local newspaper:

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/1131526--youtube-video-of-minor-accident-on-401-sparks-onslaught-of-threats-venom-racism401-car-scam-foiled-by-dashboard-camera-and-youtube-not-what-it-seems?bn=1

If you read the comments by the guy who took the video, on Youtube, he has a somewhat different story about what he said to the paper:

"I knew Toronto Star will take sides! I kept on repeating his 3 braking lights are all off and you still think that it is an accident! I have the recording of this asshole extorting me for $500. "Yogarajah, 26, works at a bank during the week and as a telecommunications sales rep on the weekends, helping support his extended family. Kate, I have 3 part time job and also working at a bank during the weekends and I am still studying for 7 days in a week. Does that means students can scam?"

The Toronto Star used to be a reliable news source, though liberally biased in presentation. Now they, like every other "media outlet", have gone completely to crap.

details on your setup?

Quite simple, actually. I've got a couple of Replay XD1080 (http://replayxd.com/cameras/replay-xd1080-camera/) sports video cameras. I put one of the shoe mounts on my dashboard, dead centre. The built-in battery is good for about 80 minutes, when running at 1080p, but you can also wire it up to your cigarette lighter.

[RACER X]

a stick shift acura, thats uncommon.

[Papa_Complex]

a stick shift acura, thats uncommon.

Was thinking the same thing.

[Lamnidae]

Quite simple, actually. I've got a couple of Replay XD1080 (http://replayxd.com/cameras/replay-xd1080-camera/) sports video cameras. I put one of the shoe mounts on my dashboard, dead centre. The built-in battery is good for about 80 minutes, when running at 1080p, but you can also wire it up to your cigarette lighter.

TY for the info Papa-C.

I spent probably 5 hours yesterday of free time just reading up on the subject. In the states the thing that the cops will get you on, from what I've been reading, is actually a shitty wiretapping statute (Illinois is bad about this evidently) and the jury's still out on allowing video.

Checking on Texas particularly, there haven't been any big deals with running video -- you can pretty much get away with that --- but the cops are not fans of having audio running.... I'm still looking into more info.

There's a fwe setups that'll record two videos (forward/front and internal IR to cab) along with g-force monitors and GPS for speed/position tracking. Look to run about 200-300 depending on bells and whistles.

[Papa_Complex]

TY for the info Papa-C.

I spent probably 5 hours yesterday of free time just reading up on the subject. In the states the thing that the cops will get you on, from what I've been reading, is actually a shitty wiretapping statute (Illinois is bad about this evidently) and the jury's still out on allowing video.

Checking on Texas particularly, there haven't been any big deals with running video -- you can pretty much get away with that --- but the cops are not fans of having audio running.... I'm still looking into more info.

There's a fwe setups that'll record two videos (forward/front and internal IR to cab) along with g-force monitors and GPS for speed/position tracking. Look to run about 200-300 depending on bells and whistles.

No problem. Glad to help.

For the most part that abuse of the wiretap law, and it is an abuse, has been discredited in court, and in the court of public opinion. That doesn't mean some yahoo won't mis-apply it to you though. If you think that it might be a problem tape over the mic, to attenuate the audio, then turn the audio gain all the way down on the camera. "Sorry bub, ain't got me no sound."

As far as video goes you're almost always OK, based on the "in plain view" principle. Some jurisdictions have specific laws regarding the recording of peace officers image, but those are few and far between.

Some people have been posting about "black box" video solutions, on our local board. These look pretty good but, as far as I'm concerned, I want a solution that works on my bike too.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/5-0mp-wide-angle-car-dvr-camcorder-w-4x-digital-zoom-hdmi-night-vision-sd-slot-2-5-tft-lcd-67091

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-BlackVue-DR400G-HD-16GB-English-Manual-Car-Black-Box-Drive-GPS-Recorder-/170737350357?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c0bd36d5&clk_rvr_id=316140443292

[Lamnidae]

Yeah - i agree it is abuse w/ the wiretapping bit. The problem is it's still a valid law on the books, but just being misapplied and it hasn't been taken to court. Partly because there's a big risk there, you're rolling the dice on a felony conviction (and yes, rolling the dice, because there's some big nutheads out there who'd get picked for the jury pool) and a lot of folks wouldn't like that risk. They get offered a plea deal, or in the case of the guy who videotaped the state trooper waving a gun at him on his bike (MD Trooper was in unmarked car, in plain clothes.. lot more to it than what i'm posting) who got his shit snatched up and his parents home searched (his pri. residence) and was stuck in jail for 6 months (iirc) but the charges got dropped and nothing more was done. We'll keep having these problems until someone goes to bat and puts it all out on the line for us.

Here are the cameras I mentioned in the previous posting --- only thing I would worry about is framerate (15FPS iirc)
http://www.spytechs.com/Car-Cameras/default.htm

[Papa_Complex]

A couple of people posted up about that camera and it looked pretty good, at first blush, but it got knocked down quickly when someone read the "more info" page and found that it only recorded at 640x480 resolution. Think slightly better than crappy minimart security camera footage.

http://www.spytechs.com/Car-Cameras/dual-view-cam.htm

[Lamnidae]

A couple of people posted up about that camera and it looked pretty good, at first blush, but it got knocked down quickly when someone read the "more info" page and found that it only recorded at 640x480 resolution. Think slightly better than crappy minimart security camera footage.

http://www.spytechs.com/Car-Cameras/dual-view-cam.htm

yeah i think it's because they're trying to capture too much data.

might have to "engineer" me something.

[Papa_Complex]

yeah i think it's because they're trying to capture too much data.

might have to "engineer" me something.

If I was going for a car only solution I might go for a couple of Contour GPS cameras, with suction cup tripods.

http://contour.com/products/contour-gps

[Lamnidae]

That's a nice camera.

just need a DVR type solution that will accept different video inputs and still be managable enough to house within a bike, or a small tank bag for a mobile solution.

[Papa_Complex]

That's a nice camera.

just need a DVR type solution that will accept different video inputs and still be managable enough to house within a bike, or a small tank bag for a mobile solution.

With the contour it records to Micro SD cards but can play live to a smartphone, like an iPhone. I'll bet that if you look into it you might find people who are recording the live video feed to that smartphone.

[Lamnidae]

With the contour it records to Micro SD cards but can play live to a smartphone, like an iPhone. I'll bet that if you look into it you might find people who are recording the live video feed to that smartphone.

i'm guessing via bluetooth?

i typically have my bluetooth turned off. Same w/ 3g unless I'm using data.

[Lamnidae]

oh, that was until i got my updated iOS/moved to verizon (not sure which one broke the feature) bu tnow i can't turn off 3g by itself to push me to edge.

Been reading on a device by DOD called GS600 - HD video (some limitations) GPS, etc. Limitation looks to be the "last file recorded" option -- failing to save properly to the memory card, kinda understandable about why it corrupts --- but that's probably one of the most important files to keep (ie, wreck that disconnects the battery/whatevah).

[Papa_Complex]

I would skip it, just for that issue.

[Rangerscott]

Cool idea. Just needs better specs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0BB05P3252&nm_mc=Criteo&cm_cat=Pocket+Camcorders&cm_pla=Starnex&cm_ite=9SIA0BB05P3252&cm_ven=BAC-CriteoBrand

[Lamnidae]

I would skip it, just for that issue.

... correctable, just gotta put a small stop-gap in between the product and your electrical system to continue providing power to the device for about 3 minutes.


evidently they (manuf.) see the problem w/ their engineering and are looking to correct it in a future release..... no known ETA on that (or if they're really giving-a-damn about it).

[Lamnidae]

Cool idea. Just needs better specs.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0BB05P3252&nm_mc=Criteo&cm_cat=Pocket+Camcorders&cm_pla=Starnex&cm_ite=9SIA0BB05P3252&cm_ven=BAC-CriteoBrand

High Definition(640x480) rotating cameras


WHY U GOT NO REAL HI DEF!?!?

[jtemple]

a stick shift acura, thats uncommon.

Was thinking the same thing.A coworker had one.

[Papa_Complex]

A coworker had one.

Whether this guy has a stick shift Accura or not, though, the point still stands that his brake lights never seem to come on.

[Papa_Complex]

Well this announcement is rather unsurprising.

Arrests reported during pre-dawn raids in GTA (http://www.cp24.com/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20120223/120223_police_raids/20120223/?hub=CP24Home)

Police officers have conducted a number of early-morning raids across the GTA, but so far they're staying mum about the reason for the sweep.

Toronto police won't disclose the nature of the "multi-jurisdictional" investigation, but said the raids involve the service's traffic services division and "a large number of arrests" are anticipated.

It's believed dozens of men and women were arrested as police swept in on a number of locations in the early-morning hours. It's not known what, if anything, has been seized during the investigation or what type of charges the suspects are facing.

One of the pre-dawn raids took place on Morley Crescent in Brampton, where at least one person was removed from a home and taken into custody.

In Scarborough, police arrested two people at an apartment building on Greenbrae Circuit, near Lawrence Avenue East and Bellamy Road, at about 6:45 a.m.

Several police cruisers were lined up outside 43 Division headquarters, where the suspects were taken to be processed.

Toronto police Chief Bill Blair is scheduled to speak at a news conference Thursday afternoon, when police plan to release details about the arrests.

[RACER X]

are these arrest somehow related to the orig. vid. ?

[Papa_Complex]

are these arrest somehow related to the orig. vid. ?

Don't know yet. The Toronto Chief of Police will be having a press conference at 2:00pm eastern, to discuss it. If a series of busts involve Traffic Division than it could only really have something to do with a couple of possible crimes; organized illegal street racing, or insurance fraud.

[Papa_Complex]

They've arrested 37 people, with a total of over 200 charges, related to vehicular insurance fraud. Seems that the whole thing started with a couple of cops, who were at a collision reporting centre, recognizing what was a staged collision. No idea if it relates to this specific collision.

[Papa_Complex]

A little update. This was a video interview with the guy in the car that rolled back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXuEcfLl698

And this is the final result.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tubPwVSx0_o

[Gas Man]

So it was a scam then?!?????

[Homeslice]

a stick shift acura, thats uncommon.

more common than a stick-shift lexus or infiniti

[Amber Lamps]

There are tons of systems that are dedicated to driving and cockpit recording along with GPS data. I've installed units ranging from $100 to $1200... Approximately $300 will buy a unit that is permanently mounted on the dash, records video of the cockpit and road, comes on with the ignition, records up to 8 hours and simply overwrites the old data when it's full. Btw I've always liked the units that store the data away from the camera just in case a cop or other asshole decides to grab the camera when they realize that they are being recorded.

[Gas Man]

Got any links on these $300 set ups?

[Papa_Complex]

So it was a scam then?!?????

Yup, it was. You've got to figure that there was at least one other incident, though, because he's being charged with fraud over $5K. This one was an attempted fraud, for which he's also being charged.

And by the way, that handbill with the knives on it was only ever seen in his hand, during that interview. The one's posted on his door and around his neighbourhood were different.

[shmike]

There are tons of systems that are dedicated to driving and cockpit recording along with GPS data. I've installed units ranging from $100 to $1200... Approximately $300 will buy a unit that is permanently mounted on the dash, records video of the cockpit and road, comes on with the ignition, records up to 8 hours and simply overwrites the old data when it's full. Btw I've always liked the units that store the data away from the camera just in case a cop or other asshole decides to grab the camera when they realize that they are being recorded.

How big are the cameras used?

If it was something tiny like a back up camera, that would be cool. I don't want a go pro-type unit sitting on my dash at all times though.

[Gas Man]

Yup, it was. You've got to figure that there was at least one other incident, though, because he's being charged with fraud over $5K. This one was an attempted fraud, for which he's also being charged.

And by the way, that handbill with the knives on it was only ever seen in his hand, during that interview. The one's posted on his door and around his neighbourhood were different.
WOW. Yet he had the balls to get in front of the news camera and talk about how he's a victim.

[Papa_Complex]

WOW. Yet he had the balls to get in front of the news camera and talk about how he's a victim.

Most fraudsters know that a little bluster goes a long way. Think of how the average evangelical preacher or Republican Senator acts, when he gets caught in an airport washroom :lol:

[Gas Man]

I suppose... but it actually makes me wish more ill towards him...

[Papa_Complex]

There's more reason than that, to wish him ill. Like I said the only place that handbill that he holds up during the interview shows up, is in the interview. Lots of pics and video were shown of various houses he's said to live at, his neighbourhood, and his car were shown at Red Flag Deals and 4chan, but the only copy actually seen was in his hand. That made a lot of people figure that he created it, himself, to look like more of a victim.

Quite predictably the newspaper that tried to paint him as a victim, hasn't published anything about this latest development.

[Papa_Complex]

Correction: The newspaper that tried to play the scammer off as a victim, has finally released a story about the incident. Apparently this idiot made an insurance claim, after the incident, for something more than $5K. That's where the fraud charge comes from.

http://www.thestar.com/news/crime/article/1141586--youtube-dashcam-crash-driver-charged-with-fraud-and-mischief

[Gas Man]

He filed a claim against his own insurance company? As a hit and run?

[Papa_Complex]

I haven't been able to find out the specifics and I'm not going to credit this particular paper with getting anything right considering how they've screwed the story up, so far, but we have "no fault" insurance here. Claims are filed through our own insurer, then everything gets worked out behind the scenes.