Reply #37: No, I am NOT demanding papers, but it is a way to make sure you can ID people

[happyslug]

The difference is simple, I want to be able to say "X" did something, not that I saw someone whose name I do not know, do something. The Army does this all the time, that is why the have their soldier's name on their uniforms. Numbers would be another way, but name is the most conventional. Just have people write their name on their shirts, like the army does, may be more then sufficient for what I would want the "ID" for. a person's "Correct name" is NOT important, what is important is the ability to ID that person, connect a face with a name even if the name is false, IF the name is what he or she is known as.

Yes, in many ways false names would be as good as correct name as long as the name is used constantly. I started this sub-thread by pointing out the best way to control any infiltrators who do illegal acts is to file (or help the victim) file a Private Criminal Complaint against the person who did the crime. It is just easier if you have someone's name and address (and one of the reason Police officers are to have their badges on at all times, so you can remember the number and file a charge against "Officer 714" even if you do NOT know his name is "Joe Friday" (Homage to the old Dragnet Series).

Yes, such ID can be faked, but the key is the CONSTANT USE, for if someone is using the name on the FAKE ID, that name can still be used in any Private Criminal Complaint. Thus the only point for the ID is so everyone is known by a name, even if it is false. That name can then be used to track him or her down, along with other information, to serve and prosecute the Criminal, even if he or she is a Police Officer or works for the Police.