Chicago Calling (Special Flash Mobs Edition)

Here's an idea for Chicagoans who want to call bullshit on the authorities' amped-up paranoia (see this previous post for background):

Organize a couple of flash mobs.

For the first act, get together and, all at the same time, begin calling the police whenever you see someone taking a picture. These calls, from what I can tell, are not illegal — quite the opposite, it's what the cops want you to do as good citizens, and you have it in writing (see the first bullet point on the police department's own flyer). Now, as long as you have your cell phones out, take photos of each other with your phone cameras — or merely pretend to do so — and then report a not-too-detailed description of your flash-mob neighbors to the authorities (after all, cameras are a sign of dubious "surveillance"). Repeat (and disperse) as necessary.

For the second act, bring a piece of paper and a pen, or a PDA with a stylus. Remember, you're supposed to call in notetakers! So: One person begins scribbling away in public. The second person makes a note of the first person doing so and calls in the suspicious activity to the police. The third person makes a note of the second scribbler and also calls the switchboard. Ad infinitum.

IMPORTANT: Even though the Chicago cops, incredibly, want you to call 911 whenever you see anything suspicious, don't in this case. It would be dangerous to jam the lines to the emergency dispatchers. Call the regular police number instead, 312-746-6000. Also note that, as a concerned citizen, you have an obligation to report any suspicious activity, but, as far as I know, no obligation to stick around. And I wouldn't if I were you, for obvious reasons.

Let me know how it goes!