Detroit Purge and Louisville Police Scanner Twitter Terms Trend as People Listen Live to Online Frequencies Amid Purge Rumors

Detroit Purge and Louisville Police Scanner Twitter Terms Trend as People Listen Live to Online Frequencies Amid Purge Rumors
Zachary Stieber
8/16/2014
Updated:
8/16/2014

Rumors of a real-life purge in Louisville on Friday night have prompted scores of people to tune into the online police department scanner to listen to what’s happening. There’s also been rumors circulating about one in Detroit, Miami, Kansas City, and in a few other places.

As a result, the hashtag #LouisvillePoliceScanner is trending on Twitter.

There are multiple websites on which to get on to listen to the scanner. Broadcastify is probably the most well-known. 

The Purge refers to two movies that are set in a fictionalized version of the United States where citizens are given one 12-hour period every year to commit basically any crime imaginable with no punishment. One of the effects is many people dying.

Threats cropped up online over the past couple days of a so-called “real-life purge” happening in Louisville, among other areas including Detroit and Miami. Police in Louisville have been especially vocal about taking the threats seriously.

Many people are making light of the situation, though, particularly with the hashtag.

“I wonder if the #LouisvillePoliceScanner operators know how famous they are tonight. This is their ‘rock-star’ moment...,” said one Twitter user.

“Over here trying to understand all these fancy Police codes,” said another.

Other people were quoting directly from scanner traffic, or making jokes about what may be happening.

“Man in a black shirt and cargo pants just stole a can of beer and a pickle,” said one user.

“Some people threatened Little Ceasers,” said another.

MORE:

Chicago Purge Hoax: 112 People Murdered by Teens Reenacting ‘The Purge 2: Anarchy’ is Fake

Louisville Purge? Kentucky Threats Based on ‘The Purge: Anarchy’ Movie With Aug. 15, Aug. 31 Dates Prompt Police Response

 

The Associated Press update: Police, protesters clash again in Ferguson 
FERGUSON, Mo. (AP) — Police and about 200 protesters clashed again in Ferguson, Missouri late Friday after another tense day in the St. Louis suburb that included authorities identifying the officer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager and releasing documents alleging the young man had been suspected of stealing a $48.99 box of cigars from a convenience store in a “strong-arm” robbery shortly before he was killed.

Several hundred people congregated on a busy Ferguson street Friday night as protests continued nearly a week after 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot and killed by a police officer. It was peaceful until about midnight, when a large crowd broke into the convenience mart that Brown allegedly robbed the day he was killed.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson said some in the crowd began throwing rocks and other objects at police. Police used tear gas to disburse the crowd but no arrests were made. One officer was hurt, but information on his injuries was not immediately available. No protesters were hurt.

Police Chief Thomas Jackson earlier Friday said the officer who shot Brown did not know the teen was a robbery suspect at the time of the shooting and stopped Brown and a companion “because they were walking down the middle of the street blocking traffic.”

Darren Wilson, a 28-year-old white officer, has patrolled suburban St. Louis for six years and had no previous complaints filed against him, Jackson said.