Census Bureau assigning a GPS coordinate to every house in US.

[Count Blackula]

I volunteer at a local charity, and it's office coordinator works for the Census Bureau (in addition to the charity). His supervisor came over to discuss Census-related issues, and offhand mentioned that the Bureau is trying to assign a GPS coordinate to every house in America.

I was disturbed at the info, but a Google search shows that this has been going on since 2009. I guess this is old news, then, but has anyone else heard anything about this horrible program?

 

[iamaclone45]

I guess I don't see what the issue is.

GPS coordinates would be more accurate then an address (long drive ways, house sits off roadway, etc) but with digital mapping you can easily find the GPS coordinates of any point on a map.

 

[cordex]

This is not surprising, nor is it the first effort to do so.

There are many commercial data sources which can provide rooftop level geocoding on many households, and "close enough" geocoding on most of the rest. Heck, go to Google and type in an address ... up comes a map showing (hopefully) the location of the address. Same concept, just more likely to be accurate.

 

[Sylvain]

I guess I don't see what the issue is.

GPS coordinates would be more accurate then an address (long drive ways, house sits off roadway, etc) but with digital mapping you can easily find the GPS coordinates of any point on a map.

This ^^^

 

[printcraft]

What?!

 

[mrjarrell]

They went around prior to the 2010 Census and tagged most peoples houses. I don't care for it, personally, but the odds are that they already have most of our houses in their database. No doubt they'd be more than happy to share it with any agency that asks for it.

 

[Sylvain]

What?!

Knowing how those are not accurate I would worry about my neighbor living a few miles aways.

 

[J_Wales]

Are the bunkers mapped too?

 

[eldirector]

Don't know that I particularly care. I can convert an address to a GPS coordinate online in a few seconds. They've had my address since the day I was born.

 

[Count Blackula]

No one is concerned about possible abuses?

They went around prior to the 2010 Census and tagged most peoples houses. I don't care for it, personally, but the odds are that they already have most of our houses in their database. No doubt they'd be more than happy to share it with any agency that asks for it.

Exactly. Why does the government need GPS coordinates of every. single. house. around the country? Why can't they just use Mapquest, or something similar?

 

[Sylvain]

No one is concerned about possible abuses?

Exactly. Why does the government need GPS coordinates of every. single. house. around the country? Why can't they just use Mapquest, or something similar?

What abuses?
WE THE PEOPLE have the GPS coordinates of the White House and Congress.

 

[Count Blackula]

What abuses?
WE THE PEOPLE have the GPS coordinates of the White House and Congress.

Well yeah, because they work for us (at least in theory). Plus, we finance those particular buildings. Why do our public servants need to know where we all live?

 

[iamaclone45]

Why do our public servants need to know where we all live?

Ever heard of a phone book?

 

[jsharmon7]

 

[fullmetaljesus]

 

[NavyVet]

Just type Geocoding into Google...

Been going on for years... Nothing new. Information could be useful for us if SHTF. GPS satellites will still be working.

Not likely they will be shut down as the govt is too reliant on them...

 

[Jaredjosh]

 

[The Stig]

What?!

Looks like I will have to upgrade my HD plan...

 

[Stschil]

But, They'll have a helluva time plotting the claymores, pungi sticks, and bear traps though.

Just kidding Big brother...................................











There aren't any bear in this part of the state.

 

[Archbishop]

I guess I don't see what the issue is.

GPS coordinates would be more accurate then an address (long drive ways, house sits off roadway, etc) but with digital mapping you can easily find the GPS coordinates of any point on a map.

This