Is Big Brother Really Preventing Crime?
We drove through Bed Stuy and East New York on Saturday on our way to Bracci Fences (more on that later) and noticed, for the first time, some of the NYPD surveillance cameras we’ve been hearing so much about that can pan,tilt and zoom, all the while uploading feeds through the Internet to police HQ….
We drove through Bed Stuy and East New York on Saturday on our way to Bracci Fences (more on that later) and noticed, for the first time, some of the NYPD surveillance cameras we’ve been hearing so much about that can pan,tilt and zoom, all the while uploading feeds through the Internet to police HQ. In particular, there were a ton of them along Utica Avenue, including this one at Lincoln Place. The Times questioned how effective the cameras are as a deterent, and the views were mixed, with the benefits appearing to be mostly psychological. We liked the self-preservation sales pitch from one security consultant: “If I put a camera in my store and the mugger goes to the store next door, that’s a win for me.”
The Camera Never Blinks [NY Times] GMAP
Get away my ass! These people have to be taught about property rights. Their parents don’t teach them anything, mostly because they’re drug addicts who don’t love their children. Consequently the kids grow up never having learned that they are to do absolutely, positively nothing to diminish my wealth! I can tell you that I’m tired of it. I only wish that these cameras were accompanied by a few machine gun nests because my property has to be protected against all of those dirty have-nots out there!
They already unconstitutionally monitor citizen’s political activities all the time. Do not give them another tool to do this!
“I guess I’d be more comfortable with this technology if its advocates weren’t so comfortable with killing people (even in jest)….”
I’m guessing you flunked Sarcasm 101. The poster advocating killing people is clearly opposed to the technology.
So does that mean we should all support it, because its opponents are so comfortable with killing people (even in jest)?
“they can easily be connected to face recognition software. With this software they can track EVERYBODY’S every move. A typical beat cop can’t do this….”
And if that ability is used to violate people’s rights, say monitoring citizens’ political activities, etc., then it’s probably unconstitutional and should be challenged–exactly as if it were a beat cop doing it. But it’s the ABUSE of the technology that may violate rights, not the mere existence of the technology. Just as with any other law-enforcement tactic and tool.
Honestly, to read post like About Time!’s, you’d think that the state had an obligation to give criminals a fair chance to get away with crimes.
I guess I’d be more comfortable with this technology if its advocates weren’t so comfortable with killing people (even in jest). And no, I don’t think a property crime justifies execution. It does amaze me that in the four years that I have lived on Putnam near Grand (aka open crack market) that I have only seen two arrests. It would seem a more effective approach would be to seize the bodega at the corner for facilitating the crimes. How much does this video system cost? How many arrests are made? What are the outcome of the arrests? The people you are going to see on the street are very low-level dealers and their customers. Not only are they unlikely to really change their behavior because of a box on a light pole (moving to the next block doesn’t solve a problem), when they are arrested they aren’t offered drug treatment.
“Dead or alive, you’re coming with me.” -Robocop
panopticon anyone?
Re: “These cameras can’t see anything a beat cop couldn’t.”
Yes they can, because they can easily be connected to face recognition software. With this software they can track EVERYBODY’S every move. A typical beat cop can’t do this.
Even I’m for it, but we need to be realistic in knowing that it may help the police catch criminals after the fact, ala the bombers in London, but it won’t help to stop you from getting mugged, as no one is actually watching you 24/7. I guess as long as the crooks don’t know that, it may deter a few crimes. If they could make the cameras visibly sweep an area so it looks like someone is actually watching, that would be a more real deterrent.
I do know there are Big Brother issues and abuses that will arise, and I may modify my opinion when that happens, but in the meantime, I’m for it.