24-hour camera surveillance in city is part of bigger plan (MD)

[Liberal Classic]

In the interest of posting something other than friggin gun related threads in Justice/Public Safety, here is a news article that in my most humble opinion is neither just nor contributes to public saftey.


http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.cameras10jun10,0,2211108.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

24-hour camera surveillance in city is part of bigger plan

Financed by homeland security grants, new network aimed at fighting terrorists as much as drug dealers

By Doug Donovan
Sun Staff
Originally published June 10, 2004

From the Inner Harbor to the Bay Bridge, local and state homeland security authorities are beginning to build a regional network of 24-hour surveillance cameras that will first go live this summer in Baltimore.

The closed-circuit video surveillance system of public spaces will begin in the Inner Harbor by summer's end, and a $2 million federal grant accepted by the city yesterday will expand the cameras into downtown's west side by early November.

"We're trying to build a regional network of cameras," said Dennis R. Schrader, director of homeland security for Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

What of privacy concerns raised by groups opposed to cameras constantly monitored by retired police officers or college students?

"We're at war," Schrader said.

Wait, is that the war on drugs or the war on terror or the war on fat?

Dozens of surveillance cameras exist throughout downtown Baltimore to deter crime, but those images are generally taped and reviewed only occasionally. The new network, financed by grants from the Department of Homeland Security, is aimed at fighting terrorists as much as drug dealers.

Oh, well then. That's different. (sarcasm)

[el_gato]

1. the death of liberty

terror is the excuse
a police state is the goal

[Liberal Classic]

3. It seems to me sometimes that

The government wants to control every aspect of our lives.

[FeebMaster]

6. Sometimes?

:)

[Liberal Classic]

9. Damn, I've been caught

Qualifying my statements again. Am I being too fair?

;)

[FeebMaster]

10. Sometimes.

Am I being too fair?

[Liberal Classic]

11. Can there be

Such a thing?

[FeebMaster]

13. I'm just messing with you. (nt)

[Liberal Classic]

14. It's quite alright

I know you're just poking a bit of fun. Goodness knows Justice/Public Saftey could use some good humor. Maybe I should have posted this in general discussion where it would reach a wider audience.

[Hrumph]

7. Only "sometimes?" n/t

.

[Liberal Classic]

12. I have been

Properly chastized.

Thank you sir, may I have another.

[PopeyeII]

2. This is SOP in London these days.

I under stand at the Atlanta olympics near the sports events this was reality as well.

Big Brother suck no matter who they are. Be they gubbermint or private industry.

[Liberal Classic]

5. Agreat lot of places have cameras

Every automated teller machine has one, and there are closed circuit cameras in nearly every store these days. There are cameras in airports, bus and train terminals, etc. The games may be a good example, even though the system there was established for a limited time due to the venue. I'll have to try to find out what the city of Atlanta did with the system.

To me, it is not that the cameras exist. There are already cameras everywhere. The pictures taken by these cameras have always been available by court order during the investigation of crime. However (and there's always a however with me, it seems) that the cameras would themselves be continuously and perpetually manned to be on the lookout for crime is something new. This difference may seem academic, but to me it is important.

We United Stateians are quite touchy about what we are led to believe are our rights. Or, at least, we used to be.

[Hrumph]

4. Fascism rears its ugly head

What of privacy concerns raised by groups opposed to cameras constantly monitored by retired police officers or college students?

"We're at war," Schrader said.

I'm sure the same thing was said by statist thugs under Hiter, Stalin, Pol Pot, <insert tyranical dictator here>.



I said it two years ago and I've been saying it ever since: If you think personal liberties were threatened by the "war on drugs" you ain't seen nothing yet. Wait till the "war on terror" gets cranked up.

[Liberal Classic]

8. I hate it when you're right :)

How often does the government relinquish a power or authority once it has been granted it?

[Hrumph]

17. Very, very good question.

I believe the answer is "never."

But I think the govt was already entrusted with the requisite authorities and responsibilites over 200 yrs ago. Since then, it has simply usurped those powers it deems necessary.

Nobody complains because they're always promised a more convenient, safer existence. LIES.





Edited to add some stuff.

[Liberal Classic]

18. The only thing I could come up with was

After world war 2 with the end of wartime censorship and rationing. The federal government did not contract to its pre-war size, but it did give up a number of war measures.

[cosmicdot]

15. will the country clubs and private-gated communities be on the network?

how will Poppy's "product line" be distributed? :spank:

is this another class thing?

who will be the leader to say: 'Mr. Big Brother, tear down that wall'?

[TexasMexican]

16. Hooray for Big Brother...

I dont understand how the UK puts up with this shit but I seriously wish that us Americans wont.

[Liberal Classic]

20. I love Big Brother

You will too, I guarantee it!

[LibLabUK]

24. Hmmm... strange.

Surveillance cameras actually promote freedom and liberty.

Y'see, you are not free if there are areas you cannot go because you are afraid of being the victim of crime.

You are not free if there is a high risk of being a victim of crime when you step outside your front door.

Surveillance cameras are remarkably effective when it comes to preventing street crime (muggings, car theft etc). They act as a deterrent and as an enforcement tool.

So, surveillance cameras, properly regulated ofcourse, promote freedom...

[Liberal Classic]

25. The next logical question is

But who watches the watchmen?

Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes? - Juvenal

[LibLabUK]

26. But who watches the watchmen?

There are strict rules on what is and isn't permissable.

Overseeing it all would be the European Data Protection and Human Rights laws.

So I don't really believe all this chicken little Big Brother claptrap.

[TexasMexican]

28. cameras dont stop crime, they make investigating easier...

"Y'see, you are not free if there are areas you cannot go because you are afraid of being the victim of crime."

Cameras do not physically stop crime. Convience stores have cameras too, that doesnt prevent them from being robbed. Sure in most cases it makes investigating the crime easier, but it doesnt prevent the crime.

[mosin]

19. I have to shake my head...

when I read stories like this. It makes me want to move back to rural Texas or find a place in Wyoming where the government is only a rumor.

The War on Terror is never ending. Anyone can be called a terrorist if he makes the wrong people nervous or angry.

[Liberal Classic]

21. Edmund Burke once said

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."

Personally, I am beginning to believe the words of Dark Helmet from SpaceBalls the Movie:

"Now you know why Evil will always triumph; because Good is dumb."

[7th_Sephiroth]

22. i do alot of stuff to combat this intrusion

but i'm not going into detal cause big brother is watching

[Liberal Classic]

23. Yeah.

If I told you, I'd have to kill you.

(sarcasm for the humor impaired)

[7th_Sephiroth]

27. i dun wana say what

cause it'd be confessing to about 6 crimes

[TexasMexican]

29. Its never good to confess to crimes...

but since I havent committed any I can make my guesses...

spraypainting camera lenses, pulling wires, taking a bat do the whole damn thing.

[7th_Sephiroth]

30. somewhat

close enough