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Andrewz00
Look! I changed it!
Member since 4/10 1789 total posts
Name:
Andrew
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Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
RIVERHEAD, N.Y. (AP) -- A town on New York's Long Island is using Google Earth to find backyard pools that don't have the proper permits.
The town of Riverhead has used the satellite image service to find about 250 pools whose owners never filled out the required paperwork.
Violators were told to get the permits. So far about $75,000 in fees has been collected.
Riverhead\'s chief building inspector Leroy Barnes Jr. said the unpermitted pools were a safety concern. He said that without the required inspections there was no way to know whether the pools were up to code.
But some privacy advocates say the use of Google Earth to find scofflaw swimming pools reeks of Big Brother.
The Article...
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Posted 8/2/10 12:43 AM  |
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Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate
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greenfreak
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Member since 9/06 11483 total posts
Name:
greenfreak
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
 They're resourceful, I'll give them that! I don't feel bad for people who knowingly bypass permit laws and get caught.
I used satellite maps when house hunting to see if neighbors had abandoned cars in their backyards and whatnot. 
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| Posted 8/2/10 7:17 AM |
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bpmom
Feeling Blessed
Member since 6/07 2963 total posts
Name:
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
I use it when I'm looking up directions, but I think this is going too far ----
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| Posted 8/2/10 7:50 AM |
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Goobster
:)
Member since 5/07 27557 total posts
Name:
:)
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
See nothing wrong with this.
I use it ALL the time (well Bing anyway) when house hunting. I like to see what's going on next door.
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| Posted 8/2/10 8:16 AM |
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Erica
LIF Adult
Member since 5/05 11767 total posts
Name:
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
I don't see this as big brother - we can all use google earth to check to see if our backyards are up to code.
I pay extra taxes every year for my pool, I really don't see why others can't as well.
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| Posted 8/2/10 8:34 AM |
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mikeandjess
LIF Adult
Member since 10/07 2278 total posts
Name:
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
I think it's quite genius
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| Posted 8/2/10 9:05 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
Name:
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
No objections here. You're supposed to get a permit and make sure the appropriate safety precautions are in place.
I know someone's insurance company spotted a trampoline via Google Earth. They were notified that they were being dropped because of it.
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| Posted 8/2/10 9:16 AM |
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Cheeks24
Living a dream
Member since 1/08 8589 total posts
Name:
Cheeks
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
Posted by mikeandjess
I think it's quite genius
Me too!
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| Posted 8/2/10 9:17 AM |
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christinec2010
LIF Adolescent
Member since 10/09 637 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
I think its a great way to use Google Earth but I do agree that it is completely Big Brother.
Just like how on the IPhone OS4 when you go into your picture album there is a new option that you can look at a map & it tells you where your pictures where taken. Yes I think its cool & I don't have to wonder which Island of Hawaii that picture was taken on. But at the same time I know someone is watching.
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| Posted 8/2/10 9:18 AM |
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Teachergal
We made a snowman!
Member since 1/08 3239 total posts
Name:
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
Can someone opt out of being viewed on Google Earth? Can a black box be put over your house if you don't want to be viewed? If so, then I think it is fine what Riverhead is doing. Otherwise, I don't like the fact that anyone can view your home. But I guess I don't really have a problem with Riverheads tactics then, just Google Earth in general. For what its worth, it was a good idea to use what they have available to make money that should have been coming to them anyway.
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| Posted 8/2/10 9:33 AM |
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Nifheim
allo
Member since 1/09 5476 total posts
Name:
Jennifer
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
i think its great! Hey the towns need money and typically if you didn't bother getting a permit you might be putting other people at risk with your pool.
Google hasn't updated their satellites in a while though our house is like two years old, my parents house is three i think.
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| Posted 8/2/10 9:42 AM |
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jam11308
Member since 11/07 7273 total posts
Name:
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
Posted by Nifheim
i think its great! Hey the towns need money and typically if you didn't bother getting a permit you might be putting other people at risk with your pool.
Google hasn't updated their satellites in a while though our house is like two years old, my parents house is three i think.
I agree with this & had the same thought! The image of our house is from 3 years ago before we did any work out there. DH's JUNKY old truck that has since been sold is out there & the pic is before we tore up & redid the sidewalks & entire front yard. It looks AWFUL and nothing like it does now. Who's to say the pics being used are accurate? If a pool has since been torn down does the homeowner have to jump through any hoops to prove it? 
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| Posted 8/2/10 9:45 AM |
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JldDolphin
Member since 1/07 6929 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
Posted by Nifheim
i think its great! Hey the towns need money and typically if you didn't bother getting a permit you might be putting other people at risk with your pool.
Google hasn't updated their satellites in a while though our house is like two years old, my parents house is three i think.
Totally agree with Jenn. They should have gotten permits in the first place. I think a pool permit is nothing to play around with. Safety comes first.
Hey when I go on Google Maps, the satellite image is from before we owned the house, but the street view is from 3 years ago, Christmas when we first bought the house.  the house looks awful. 
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| Posted 8/2/10 9:52 AM |
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eddiesmommy
best buds!
Member since 5/09 11524 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
I think its great. Saves the town money by not having to send inspectors out, makes them money by having the people apply for the proper permits they should have had in the first place.
If you arent doing anything wrong or have nothing to hide, you dont have anything to worry about, so I dont have a problem with it.
Message edited 8/2/2010 1:08:32 PM.
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| Posted 8/2/10 10:31 AM |
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HeatherRose
Life is Good :)
Member since 11/07 6605 total posts
Name:
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
they have actually been doing this for years but just hiring a company to take airal pics for them
I remeber when we bought the house I grew up in. I went with my mom to file permits for the pool we were installing and they had all the airal pictures on the board with flags. My mom asked about them and they told us that they were looking for pools without permits.
that was back in 1993, town of smithtown.
I'm sure it was costly going that route
I'm all for it!! you put anything in, that requires a permit, you should get it, no one is above the rules, even thought you might not think they are fair
I think they should fine people back to the date they purchased a home, if they don't file a permit and your caught.
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| Posted 8/2/10 11:43 AM |
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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Re: Google Earth Used to Find Unpermitted Pools on LI
Posted by Teachergal
Can someone opt out of being viewed on Google Earth? Can a black box be put over your house if you don't want to be viewed? If so, then I think it is fine what Riverhead is doing. Otherwise, I don't like the fact that anyone can view your home. But I guess I don't really have a problem with Riverheads tactics then, just Google Earth in general. For what its worth, it was a good idea to use what they have available to make money that should have been coming to them anyway.
Become the Vice President of the US....
Supposedly, D. Cheney's house is blurred out... I think his is one of the only places, other than potential terrorist targets.
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| Posted 8/2/10 1:03 PM |
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