Surveillance Cameras - Pros and Cons

You have now discovred the real good part about our government. One in which I whole heartedly agree!

 

What about cctv that is owned & opperated by private companies, how does that fit into the scheme of things? for example at banks or building sites, hospitals, car parks etc places that are not goverment run or funded. What are your views on these?

 

I would say an individual or company has the right to operate security cameras on their own property. Obvious exceptions would be inside restrooms and hotel bedrooms.

 

The use of closed circut TV isn't a problem as I see it. The use of some of the film produced from such cameras could present a problem if used for purposed that are unlawful. But generally I could care less if they have them and use them for what ever purpose they choose. I sure don't let it bother me in any manner.

 

Interesting topic.

I flipped on the TV this morning before going to work and there was a program on about this very same subject. Some of the stuff they filmed was pretty funny. Some of it was not.

They showed film that was serving as the basis for a couple of lawsuits. One was survelience footage taken inside of a women's dressing room at a clothing store. Another was film shot of employees in their locker room at a hotel. Clearly (in my opinion) the decision to film women trying on outfits and front desk clerks putting on their uniforms in the name of theft prevention is inappropriate.

What do you guys think about having cameras at traffic lights, one's capable of getting the license number of a driver who commits a traffic infraction, and said footage being used to send the individual a ticket in the mail?

Survelience cameras have been up in public places in the US for decades, certainly long before the September 11th terrorist attacks. Do I want Big Brother looking over my shoulder. I'd have to say "no," but it is probably too late for that.

A terrorist who is a true believer in what he/she is doing will not be deterred by cameras. Having their acts caught on film might aid in the prosecution of others, but it won't stop a martyr from commiting his crime.

Reason for edit: spelling

 

I agree with the idea of using surveillance cameras to aid in the prosecution of crimes etc. Initially that's what this thread was about, but as usual it turned into a loss of freedoms rant...

 

Isn't life complicated enough without granting somebody the authority to ding you for $150 every time you make a mistake or go through a yellow a half second too late? Will life really be better as a result? Does anyone really think driving will be safer? Will all of the terrorists with car bombs drive more safely? We all know what will happen. Local police will use this as a gigantic fund raising mechanism. Why, they'll be able to issue computer generated traffic tickets by the thousands every day from the comfort of the donut shop. Insurance companies will love it because everyone will be rated as a bad driver and premiums will soar! Be careful what you wish for. You might succeed in getting it.

 

We allready have cameras over here that can read licence tags, In London we have the congestion charge LOL you have to pay to enter the city center and every car is snapped on the way in God help you if you have not bought your permit!!

Have a read and fear the future

http://www.cclondon.com/index.shtml

 

This just about sums it up. Even old Ron Paul can't stop this train...
http://earth.google.com/

 

I am sure we have done some good and I am sure we have made mistakes. What if we had stayed out of WWII? What if we had ignored the USSR? What if we had let Iraq take Kuwait? What if we had ignored 9/11?

It is hard to say what the world would be like if we hadn't intervened in many situations but I think there are probably worse alternate world scenarios than the current one.

 

Cameras are already out there in the private sector. Lots and lots of them. And try to call a major company without your phone call being recorded. Or use your phone at all without a log of every entity you have ever called being logged. And, unless you pay cash for everything, your purchases are already being tracked.

You are already being monitored 24/7. And, of course, any of that information can already be accessed by the government. What's the first thing law enforcement does when they have a suspect? Get those phone logs. Check those credit and debit cards. And on and on.

 

Right down to what medications, dosage and for what condition are they being administered.

 

Absolutely. Hard to name an area that is not being recorded in this Information Age.

And I haven't even covered the Internet. There are businesses starting up right now helping people 'manage' all the information that is out on the internet about them.

 

Bring the cameras on, just keep them out of my abode. Definition: House

I might be caught scratching something that itches.