The piece was published without an individual byline, but clearly argues in favor of the act of throwing rocks at events such as May Day. I quote: “Some will rightly point out that tactics need to be escalated…” “Anybody who is swayed against our cause by seeing people fight back was … never on our side in the first place.” These quotes are from an imaginary discussion with 20 imagined “anti-imperialists.” They are laid out in argument, counter-argument style in a common form of propaganda called false equivalence. The arguments are presented side by side as if they are equally valid, and the piece does not openly state that one or the other view is correct, except in its choice of the phrase “…rightly point out..” and “…our side,” as if we the readers are on the side of those who threw these rocks. The good intentions of those who threw rocks are also assumed by the author, opening the question of whether the author participated in this act.

Intercity Transit has nearly finished installing camera systems on all of its regular coaches – almost 70 in all. Most of these installations involve seven cameras, while some shorter coaches have only five. All of them record video and audio information in a digital form for storage on a removable hard drive on the bus. The system records video on the bus for approximately 7 to 10 working days.

According to news stories (and Verint’s own website) these camera systems also wirelessly transmit the imagery to anyone with the knowledge and tools to make a wireless connection to the bus’ WiFi system, located above the driver’s head:

“In the event of a security incident, Nextiva Transit will allow supervisor and police vehicles to view live video from within the bus, enabling more effective actionable intelligence and emergency response.” 1

“Verint Systems Inc., a leading provider of analytic software-based solutions for workforce-enterprise optimisation and security, announced an agreement with Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) to enable the use of Verint Nextiva™ Wireless devices on MOTOMESH broadband wireless networks. (…) By deploying Nextiva wireless video management solutions on a Motorola mesh network, private security, law enforcement and emergency response personnel have immediate, high speed access to security video and data delivering heightened situational awareness to enable a more effective response.” 2

With the ability of the system to monitored live by those with the access tools, these systems have likely become a prime target for detectives seeking to identify those responsible for the Evergreen Uprising (Feb 15, 2008). Recent late night extensions of the routes to Evergreen have resulted in more “face time” for those who travel via bus to TESC.

When I was logging camera installations in the post-uprising weeks I noticed only 3 of the 30 buses seen on the Evergreen routes were NOT ones with camera systems installed. Prior to the uprising, it was rare for the buses on the 41 / 48 routes to have cameras installed. It is not known at this time whether this intelligence “take” has proved useful to the Sheriff’s Department, but one can imagine others who would find its data quite useful.

I've already begun to exploit this data pool by requesting bus video and audio from IT Bus #808, which in November 2007 was used to move Olympia Police into the Port of Olympia. Their conversations were quite telling...

1:06AM
"Advise, there was a concert, several fights broke out, TESC is trying to take someone into custody, there is still a large crowd."

1:09AM
"We're in the area, Overhulse and Fireweed (CP) - We can't see anything. Can you be more specific?"

1:11AM
C30 arrives at CP (This is probably Deputy Gallagher, whose car is named in the WSP diagram - and is thus likely the one whose car is lost. Other reports refer to a female officer's car being lost, and this is the only female officer early on the scene for TCSO who sounds like a female on the recordings we have.)

1:17AM
"OK, go ahead and send Olympia, too." (says Lincoln 8, the Lt from TCSO)

1:18AM Time marked as start on most of the Olympia PD Reports

1:21AM
"How many units do we have (still) responding (Not yet here, but logged as on the way)?" Dispatch responds: "We have 6 Oly, 1 Tumwater, 2 County, and 3 State."

1:21AM (Dispatch reads back this time to tape)
"Uh, we're gonna have a problem here real quick"

1:21AM
"Charles 30 in the area." (Arriving at the actual scene of the event)

1:22AM (Dispatch reads back this time to tape)
"When Olympia comes in, let 'em know we need helmets, they're starting to throw stuff."

1:22AM
"Code 10 on County, for a Disturbance" (Says Dispatch)

1:22AM (Dispatch reads back this time to tape)
"We probably have a couple hundred here and it's growing."

1:26AM
OPD Arrives at McCann Plaza but can't figure out how to get down to the Gym.

1:27AM
C30 advises she'll show OPD how to come into the area if they meet here at Fireweed and Overhulse.

1:30AM
"Lincoln 8, (this is) 94 - where do you want the incoming units?" (NO RESPONSE)

1:32AM

Audio from the TESC Valentines Day Uprising - Nine One One calls.

021808 TESC Riot 911 ph call (Error in date is original to the file):

021508 TESC Riot Call to EVPD:

021508 TESC Riot 2nd EVPD Ph call:

These are images made of the CAPCOM (Capital Communications) calls to 9-11 dispatch, showing who called and from what cell, where that cell phone was at the time of the call, and what dispatch did in relation to the call over the course of the evening. Enjoy!