Editorial: Cell phone technology

The unfortunate case of a former Collier County corrections officer who allegedly took his own life after killing two family members and wounding another in Cape Coral on June 23 reveals how far technology has evolved and how far it needs to expand.

Authorities say Thomas Ciesla, who resigned from his post at the Immokalee Jail Center on June 20 after more than two years on the job, killed his estranged wife’s father and aunt and wounded her uncle. Officials blame domestic troubles and rejection for employment as a Cape Coral police officer as a partial reason for the violence.

A 911 call brought deputies to the crime scene in just over seven minutes. Part of finding where the shooting took place was through technology of a cell phone, while the final details was provided by the communications company.

The initial call to 911 put authorities in the general area — officials could determine the nearest cellular tower that transmitted the call — while the cell-phone company managed to provide a specific address.

As technology expands, more and more cell phones will be able to be traced to an exact location as if they were a wired telephone and allow authorities to locate such calls in a matter of seconds, rather than minutes.

The upside of this technology can be found in emergencies. The downside is the potential for a Big Brother-type network.

Privacy advocates have cause for alarm in today’s high-tech world, but a call to 911 has little expectation of privacy. If you call 911, then it is presumed you need help and finding whomever needs assistance is just one way technology can benefit everyone.

It is a simple premise: The sooner all cell phones can pinpoint an emergency the better.