# Would it be illegal to post online a list of police officer residences & tele #'s **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 9, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766 "2005-09-09T02:34:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/1 "2005-09-09T02:34:09Z")
Just curious. I[was reading how this killer stalked sexual offenders with an online state maintained data base of their locations](http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-vigilante7sep07,1,3743993.story?coll=la-headlines-nation), and I wondered what would happen I if a person decided to start posting the names and addresses of police officers or (non secret) CIA and FBI employees. What (if any) are the limitations on the ability of people to post publicly available information of non-undercover individuals. ---
**Author:** ![TJVM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b38774/32.png) [@TJVM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJVM)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/2 "2005-09-09T02:54:14Z")
I don’t know the answer to this question, but if you want a really in-depth analysis, law professor Eugene Volokh has written an article on what he calls “crime-facilitating speech.” That’s usually the concern in these kinds of cases – that someone will use the information you provide to harm someone. There article can be found [here](http://www.law.ucla.edu/volokh/#SPEECH), if you’re interested. It’s the second item in the “Free Speech” category. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/3 "2005-09-09T11:43:38Z")
A few years ago someone had a beef with the King County, Washington Police and put up a website that listed the personal info of each officer including family members and SSN’s. The county sued and a judge said the site was legal except for the SSN’s. 6 months later the website was taken down, apparently Mr. Disgruntled was getting tired of being pulled over for minor traffic offenses on a repeated basis. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/4 "2005-09-09T14:46:53Z")
IANAL but I’d think if listing the names and residences of criminals and their crimes is A-OK then I don’t see why a private citizen couldn’t list the name/residence of police officers. We are talking about public information here (in both cases of sex offender registries and a hypothetical police officer registry) that is just being organized in a more easily navigable manner. I’ve always understood that to restrict speech because you feel it could lead to crime can only be done under very strict circumstances when said speech will directly and almost inevitably lead to a crime being committed. Which, to hit on another issue is why Pat Robertson’s famous calls to prayer against Judges aren’t illegal forms of speech. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/5 "2005-09-09T14:55:03Z")
Listing the names and residences of sex criminals and their crimes against children is “A-OK,” because it serves a valid public purpose: it warns parents of the potential danger to their children. Granted, it may also facilitate lawless actions against these listed individuals. What’s the valid public purpose in listing the residences of police officers? That said, I’m not sure the practice violates any particular law. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/6 "2005-09-09T17:42:56Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > A few years ago someone had a beef with the King County, Washington Police and put up a website that listed the personal info of each officer including family members and SSN’s. The county sued and a judge said the site was legal except for the SSN’s. 6 months later the website was taken down, apparently Mr. Disgruntled was getting tired of being pulled over for minor traffic offenses on a repeated basis. The system works. :rolleyes:. ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/7 "2005-09-09T18:06:21Z")
He’s lucky he only managed to get himself harassed. Sure, its legal to put their addresses online, but probably not a real bright idea. ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2005, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/8 "2005-09-09T19:31:35Z")
Personally I’d rather live next to a registered sex offender than a cop. A registered sex offender served their time and was punished. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/9 "2005-09-10T00:55:05Z")
> [@groman](#): > > Personally I’d rather live next to a registered sex offender than a cop. A registered sex offender served their time and was punished. Try raising a kid and see how you feel about that. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/10 "2005-09-10T01:00:42Z")
> [@groman](#): > > Personally I’d rather live next to a registered sex offender than a cop. A registered sex offender served their time and was punished. Personally I’d rather people wouldn’t act on their prejudices. But evidently, we don’t always get what we want. ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/11 "2005-09-10T01:06:00Z")
> [@groman](#): > > Personally I’d rather live next to a registered sex offender than a cop. A registered sex offender served their time and was punished. Well, I…Oh! We’re in GQ… Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/12 "2005-09-10T01:58:55Z")
> [@groman](#): > > Personally I’d rather live next to a registered sex offender than a cop. A registered sex offender served their time and was punished. Honestly, you’re better off living next to a cop. Even better if you get to know them. Not only does the squad in the driveway keep things quiet, if you’re buds with a cop, they don’t care what you do, as long as you don’t bother them. ---
**Author:** ![vetbridge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b5e925/32.png) [@vetbridge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vetbridge)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2005, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/13 "2005-09-10T15:10:41Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > Honestly, you’re better off living next to a cop. Even better if you get to know them. Not only does the squad in the driveway keep things quiet, if you’re buds with a cop, they don’t care what you do, as long as you don’t bother them. I will second that sentiment. I never charge cops for veterinary services. They tend to keep a closer eye on my property as a result, _plus_ I have avoided a number of speeding tickets. “Oh, doc, it’s you. You were flying. Must be on your way to see an emergency. _wink_.” ---
**Author:** ![groman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/73ab20/32.png) [@groman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groman)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2005, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/14 "2005-09-11T23:57:36Z")
> [@vetbridge](#): > > I will second that sentiment. I never charge cops for veterinary services. They tend to keep a closer eye on my property as a result, _plus_ I have avoided a number of speeding tickets. “Oh, doc, it’s you. You were flying. Must be on your way to see an emergency. _wink_.” That’s just wonderful for the rest of us who don’t have anything to offer to cops other than a smile and a nod when we recieve our $400 tickets. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2005, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-it-be-illegal-to-post-online-a-list-of-police-officer-residences-tele-s/320766/15 "2005-09-12T00:05:09Z")
> [@groman](#): > > That’s just wonderful for the rest of us who don’t have anything to offer to cops other than a smile and a nod when we recieve our $400 tickets. :dubious: Then stop breaking the law. It’s really simple.