Big Brother Is Watching -- Be Grateful!

WSJ ^ | 3/25/2002 | EUGENE VOLOKH

[mombonn]

Cameras are the hot new law-enforcement tool. I got caught two weeks ago by one that photographs cars entering the intersection as the light turns red. (My ticket just came in the mail.) Washington is setting up hundreds of cameras monitoring streets, federal buildings, Metro stations, and other locations. Police used cameras with face recognition technology at last year's Super Bowl to catch known fugitives.

[HEY4QDEMS]

I once read an article about some upity neighborhoods wanting cameras because they did not like having police cars "prancing" through thier community.

This article raises a good point, it is concievable that cameras at intersections will result in less of a police presence which may not entirely be a bad thing.

[warped]

So, my first question is, would I be able to press charges against the police for stalking?

[ContemptofCourt]

Um, yeah, OK...

Of course, you are forgetting that these images are likely being taped and can be reviewed by "the authorities" at their leisure.

[Scarlet Pimpernel]

Law enforcement is not fundamentally corrupt. It is, however, fundamentally corruptable.
The Romans had a saying "Who will watch the watchers?"
You are kidding yourself if you think these types of systems will not be used in illegal ways.

[OWK]

This article raises a good point, it is concievable that cameras at intersections will result in less of a police presence which may not entirely be a bad thing.

In Maryland, there has been a significant increase in traffic accidents at intersections so equipped.

(when the light turns yellow, people now slam on their brakes no matter how close they are to the intersection)

[Lazamataz]

Some people lick the jackboot that kicks them.

This author would have applauded Kristallnacht back in the 1930's.

[freeeee]

Infesting city streets with cameras is poor hygiene for a free country.

Much like you wouldn't cover the road in feces and not expect an outbreak of disease, you should also not cover the road with cameras and not expect an outbreak of tyranny.

[Lazamataz]

He gazed up at the enormous face. Forty years it had taken him to learn what kind of smile was hidden beneath the dark moustache. O cruel, needless misunderstanding! O stubborn, self-willed exile from the loving breast! Two gin-scented tears trickled down the sides of his nose. But it was all right, everything was all right, the struggle was finished. He had won the victory over himself. He loved Big Brother.

[the]

Not just that, but jurisdictions have reduced the yellow cycle time to increase revenues.

[MJM59]

Big Brother is the first thing that a lot of people will cry when they are caught doing something wrong. It seems to me that if people would simply play by the rules, (i.e. stop running the damned red lights!) there would be less opportunity and need for the government to get involved.

[OWK]

Not just that, but jurisdictions have reduced the yellow cycle time to increase revenues.

Exactly.. (further adding to the confusion)

I got rear-ended after quick-stopping at a camera equipt stoplight just 3 weeks ago.

[Gunner9mm]

Police used cameras with face recognition technology at last year's Super Bowl to catch known fugitives.

Exactly how many "known fugitives" were caught?

[The Electrician]

It seems to me that if people would simply play by the rules, (i.e. stop running the damned red lights!) there would be less opportunity and need for the government to get involved.

That seems to be a remarkably naive assessment. There have been credible allegations that where red-light cameras have been installed, the yellow time has been shortened in order to increase the chances of making people violate the law. If government were fair and just, the opposite would have been done.

[freeeee]

Exactly how many "known fugitives" were caught (at the Snooper Bowl)?

Not a one.

[tracer]

For that matter, how many unknown fugitives were caught?

[headsonpikes]

More relevant query....

How much overtime was booked?

[MJM59]

If everyone wasn't in such a hurry and would obey the law concerning red lights in the first place, cameras would not be an issue.