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I'm sure we've all come across someone who mentions Long Island using Google Earth to find illegal pools or structures in people's yards but has anyone ACTUALLY experienced this? If you Google it, the only article I come across is way back from 2010 when Riverhead was using satellites to find illegal pools but interesting enough, they stopped that practice due to privacy issues? Would love to know if anyone has firsthand experience with this.
It's nearly impossible to use these photographs for prosecution as it would take a lot of legwork to have them verified to submit as evidence. Probably way more expensive than whatever fines or permit fees would be collected.
It's nearly impossible to use these photographs for prosecution as it would take a lot of legwork to have them verified to submit as evidence. Probably way more expensive than whatever fines or permit fees would be collected.
I thought some towns were already using stuff like this to go after people?
They can try, but any pushback from the resident or demand for a trial would see this evidence being tossed as inadmissible. It would require a lot of verification from the companies using satellite imagery about dates, location, and the like. The cost and effort to obtain this would cancel out anything the municipality gains from the prosecution.
Some municipalities have tried drones, but their use is federally regulated and there's some murkiness involved because of flight patterns, private vs public airspace, existing code enforcement provisions, etc. For example, a code official can't use a ladder to look over your fence, but can make observation from a neighbor's second story window or elevated deck. That's the sort of case law that would be involved here.
I thought some towns were already using stuff like this to go after people?
Me too. I don’t have time to search right now but I could have sworn I read an article a few years ago saying Suffolk was using Google Earth for illegal pools, garages, extensions, etc.
Me too. I don’t have time to search right now but I could have sworn I read an article a few years ago saying Suffolk was using Google Earth for illegal pools, garages, extensions, etc.
Yeah I vaguely remember a thread about this, and rightfully so, some people were getting a little cuckoo over it, myself included. That’s like next level Big Brother Orwellian nonsense.
Town of Huntington came to my dad's house YEARS ago and said we need to see your deck that isn't permitted (or words to that effect) - this is going back well over 20 years because they've been out of that house nearly 19 and it was long before that. My dad said no thanks. Of course when they sold the house they DID need to get it permitted. Will add, there's no way a neighbor turned them in, just didn't happen in those days and they were friendly with all the neighbors.
So should everyone be allowed to build as they wish? If not, how do you prevent it from happening?
Yes. It’s your land. Your house. Within reason of course.
It wouldn’t be cool to open a mini mart in the middle of a residential street or build a 6 story apartment building, but nickel and diming everyone for every little thing is some commie level BS.
Forcing people to file and pay fees for permits and other garbage nonsense and then taxing them on a stupid stoop, deck or shed or something is just totally ridiculous. Someone wants to ad an addition to their house, THEIR house, then they should be allowed to do it, no BS. Too much government overreach and control.
If you’re afraid of too much possible change then move somewhere with an hoa.
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