Xref: utzoo sci.electronics:17067 alt.sex:24034
Path: utzoo!utgpu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!jarthur!nntp-server.caltech.edu!tylerh
From: tylerh@nntp-server.caltech.edu (Tyler R. Holcomb)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics,alt.sex
Subject: Re: HELP!
Message-ID: <1991Jan19.184309.922@nntp-server.caltech.edu>
Date: 19 Jan 91 18:43:09 GMT
References: <1991Jan19.052458.7449@wam.umd.edu>
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Lines: 55

bander@wam.umd.edu (Nicholas Andrew Vargish) writes:

>This is a serious request... but it does involve the possible death
>or severe harm to another human being.  If said possibility (for a good
>cause, as will be explained) bothers you, please hit ^n^ now (regardless
>of your feelings towards a good cause).

>

>Okay.

>Last semester, my bedroom window was broken twice by drunken hooligans
>(yes, I drink, but I don^t get violent).  The cops were completely 
>unhelpful, and my landlord has refused to fix my window. January^s are
>_cold_ in D.C. (M.D. College Park).

>[pause for 3 1/2 weeks out of the country on break]

>Twice in two nights people have found it amusing to piss on my bedroom
>window (^It^s that fag^s window!^  ^Let^s piss on him!^  [my sexual
>orientation shouldn^t matter, if it does, ignore this now.])  Resulting
>tonight on liquid getting sprayed on my face -- teach me to open the window
>while I suspect vandalism (chemical analysis is NOT pending -- I took a
>shower).

>My Project is: wire my bedroom window^s screen for 110 volts.  I could
>rig a detector and flash camera for less, but at this point, money is
>no object, and time is critical.  Can you (yes, you), help?

>If not, go ahead and post. If you can, please send e-mail.  Remember,
>^Think of it as evolution in action.^

>Nick (my quote key is broken) Vargish
>(bander@cscwam.umd.edu)

You're in a pickle.  However, DO NOT wire the window.  This is 
a mantrap (2nd degree murder in most states, if my recollection
is correct).  Yes, the perpetrator will probably live
through the shock, but jails tend to be even less tolerant
than the streets of D.C.....

Have you talked to your local ACLU chapter?  They have LOTS of
experience with this sort of problem and can fully inform you of your
options.  The police will continue to be unhelpful.  What you
need to do is to positively identify these people in a manner
that would stand up in a court of law (sorry, I may be a techer,
but I am a little short on godd ideas at this moment).  At that
point, I suspect it will be more effective to sue them (violation
of civil law) than prosecute them (violation of criminal law)

Once again, PLEASE DO NOT WIRE THE WINDOW.  Murphy's law
is very clear:  you will hurt someone innocent (maybe a small
child that tripped?) and the sleazebags will be unaffected.

-tyler