Issues in Data Gathering

Links

• www.justice.gov/criminal/pr/testimony/2011/crm-testimony-110125.html &
  (Department of Justice says cell  providers do not keep/provide enough user data in many cases.)
• www.theagitator.com/2011/06/29/internal-documents-warn-arizona-cops-about-smart-phones/
  (Should your cell phone data be immediately accessible to police if you are arrested?)
• www.joshuaaengel.com/JAE-Cell-Phone-Article-Memphis-Law-Review.pdf
  (a good review of legal issues around cell phones if someone is arrested)
• www.nytimes.com/2011/01/03/us/03prisoners.html?pagewanted=all
  (Use of smart phones in prison; New York Times article)
• www.kionrightnow.com/story/14587501/cia-cell-phones-smuggled-into-prisons-big-problem?clienttype=printable
  (Another article on the use of smart phones in prison.)
• www.wired.com/threatlevel/
  (Tracking goes on all the time.)
• www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/business/media/26privacy.html
  (Tracking used to investigate Julian Assange.)

But can we get data linking the use of different cell phone providers/services, phones, and operating systems, to things drug use and drug arrests or high school completion rates (the arrests may either mean the provider is cooperating or that the provider is not doing enough service or that the provider is attractive to dope dealers/slums; linking a provider to poor high school completion rates may simply mean those more at risk for dropping out are more attracted to that provider; also it is tough to measure these rates though efforts can be made)?
Data showing gang activity on a map?
In any case, cell phones should come with various kinds of statistics: that's the way to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, too (which many providers/operating system makers do express verbal support for; can they make their support more than verbal?)

It's possible of course to get some data now on cellphones and crime and more:

• www.justice.gov/ndic/pubs31/31379/dtos.htm What technology is involved in the drug trade? Instant messaging, text messaging, and VOIP (voice over internet).
• completionagenda.collegeboard.org/latino/recommendations/6?quicktabs_1=1
  This report suggests that Latinos, particularly those who have been born in the U.S., use cell phones about as much as whites and blacks, but use the internet less -- and access it more by cell phone (not surprising; cell phones are cheaper). Latinos born outside of the U.S. use cell phones and the internet more initially (perhaps because employed or perhaps to keep in touch with recently left-behind loved ones) and then less than other groups. Latinos in general do more instant messaging whereas other groups like texting (not so cheap to receive in the U.S.).
• www.impactresearch.org/documents/prostitutionreport.pdf
  This report suggests that while some prostitution may be reduced on dates welfare checks are paid (whether because on these dates women have access to other ways of buying food or because on these dates women can trade in assistance for drugs though efforts have been made to make assistance for food less tradable); however the majority may be sex for drugs; also prostitutes are "getting younger and sicker" according to police; and finally, the majority of persons engaged in prostitution in at least the Chicago area are still girls and women. { It is possible that most women involved in prostitution do not have their dependant children living with them and so may be ineligible for benefits? perhaps because of dope use? }
• familyimpactseminars.org/s_ncfis04report.pdf
  This report looks at North Carolina's high 2006 failure to complete high school in four years rate; overwhelmingly students who are White, Asian, or multi-racial are more likely to complete school than students who are Black, Hispanic, or American Indian. In addition poor students are less likely to graduate than richer ones and boys are less likely to graduate than girls. It's possible to identify students likely to drop out by grade nine and perhaps even by grade three. The report also looks at some interventions, including offering a more challenging curriculum, communities in schools, opportunities for dual enrollment (high school and college) and it seems opportunities to both learn and earn.