Microphones in Lamp Posts to catch noisy neighbors (not satire)

Evening Standard ^ | 03MAY2005 | Mark Prigg

[WoofDog123]

As soon as I saw the headline on drudge I knew this had to be another part of the 1984 5-year-plan from Oceania. The paper doesn't even bother to publish the list of possible objections or an opposing viewpoint. Who could object to being more secure beneath the watchful eyes and ears?

[2banana]

They tried this in Belfast, the IRA used the electronics for bombs...

[sgtbono2002]

In my neighborhood the last sound heard over these microphones will be the sound of a 12 gauge going off using 00 shot.

[visualops]

You are right, we are fast approaching a global police state. The 'people of tolerance' need to quit being so intolerant of others before they find themselves the target.

[ClearCase_guy]

Well, I guess they'll install a videocamera on the lamp-post -- not to spy on you, nosirree! -- they'll just be keeping on eye on the microphone to make sure no one messes with it.

That whirrrrrring sound is NOT the camera panning up and down the street and zooming in on bedroom windows!

[mc6809e]

As soon as I saw the headline on drudge I knew this had to be another part of the 1984 5-year-plan from Oceania.

Count me in, then.

I'm tired of people forcing their noise on me. My house is private property, right? Noise pollution onto my property is a form of trespassing.

And what about common areas? I own those too, together with other members of the community. We agree, through the political process, to certain rules governing such areas. Those rules include restrictions on noise pollution. If such rules are not being enforced, then my property is being in effect stolen. The offender, by ignoring such rules takes the common property for himself.

Noise monitoring is no different than placing a camera in a place where people are dumping their trash illegally. Except here people are dumping sound instead of trash.

Property needs to be defended. Noise monitors are one way.

[WoofDog123]

When you look at the 'microphones in the bushes' in 1984, it really doesn't look so far-fetched anymore, at least in england.

[mc6809e]

You are right, we are fast approaching a global police state. The 'people of tolerance' need to quit being so intolerant of others before they find themselves the target.

Uhg.

Cameras and noise monitors on street corners are not global anything. It's local control of locally owned property.

Can the shareholders of a company ask that cameras be put in the work place? Local governments are similar in that the residents are in effect shareholders of the areas held in common. Do they have a right to do what they want with their property?

[Stevieboy]

I'm tired of people forcing their noise on me.

Have you considered dealing with the situation yourself, as opposed to relying on the nanny state? Surprisingly, a simple chat with the neighbor often works.

[null and void]

Who could object to being more secure beneath the watchful eyes and ears?

Who indeed?

[mc6809e]

Have you considered dealing with the situation yourself, as opposed to relying on the nanny state? Surprisingly, a simple chat with the neighbor often works.

I don't know what planet you're on, but on my planet people tell you to go fvk off. People around here seem to think they have a right to do whatever the hell they want without regard for others.

So unless "dealing with the situation" means "pop a cap in their ass", I have to rely on good ol' nanny state.

[WoofDog123]

Also if you have nothing to hide you have no problem with conversations inside your home being monitored for content, which is possibly one un-emphasized aspect of this program.

[lepton]

...but against and hard flooring.

If there is a monitor picking up the effects of hard flooring, on a lamp-post out on the street, that's a pretty darn sensitive mike.

So you are o.k. with getting a noise sitation for "walking loud", or "having a wooden floor"?

[ellery]

Logicall, your argument menas that any noise that makes it to your property is trespassing. Do you have the right to prohibit others from talking in normal voices on their own property because the sound carries to yours?

My neighbor uses a gas mower to mow his lawn some afternoons, and it drives my dog crazy. By your logic, I have a right to make him use a manual push-mower...after all, his gas mower trespasses on my property. My property rights, you know...

[WoofDog123]

" So unless "dealing with the situation" means "pop a cap in their ass", I have to rely on good ol' nanny state."

I agree your situation is a dilemna. As always, my concern is that a program that brings some initial benefits to people will become part of an infrastructure without almost unlimited potential for abuse at some future point. What if the microphone picks up hate speech, which is illegal in the UK?

[ellery]

ping

[Stevieboy]

I don't know what planet you're on, but on my planet people tell you to go fvk off. People around here seem to think they have a right to do whatever the hell they want without regard for others. So unless "dealing with the situation" means "pop a cap in their ass", I have to rely on good ol' nanny state.

I'm sorry to see you concede.

[Kay Syrah]

I am glad I am not your neighbour. Clearly if you choose to live in proximity to your fellow creatures, you must face the fact that you will know they are there by the noises their lives make. Unfortunately your solution cannot be implemented without a careful codification of acceptable decibel levels,(and monitors for these) the frequency and timing of "noise events" and of course documentation of each accidental breach of your property by the movement of your neighbours. Then you can punish them. That's the really neat part, isn't it?

Why don't you just get some acreage, and then deal with the birds and other creatures that make noise. Or get ear protection.

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here.

[mc6809e]

Also if you have nothing to hide you have no problem with conversations inside your home being monitored for content, which is possibly one un-emphasized aspect of this program.

When a conversation is so loud that the sound of it extends into the street, you can hardly expect it to be private.