1984?

[blksmrf92]

who has read the novel 1984?

just some thoughts on this one....

U.S. city blanketed with security cameras - Crime & courts- msnbc.com

Quote:

Surveillance system will be monitored by ordinary citizens, raising concerns

Carolyn Kaster / AP
A security camera is mounted on a utility pole above the intersection of West Orange and North Prince streets in Lancaster, Pa. A new surveillance system includes 165 cameras to keep watch over citizens.
View related photos

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updated 1:25 p.m. PT, Wed., Sept . 9, 2009
LANCASTER, Pa. - Horses drawing buggies regularly clop down the roads approaching Lancaster, a peaceful city in the heart of Amish country that had only three murders last year and relatively low crime.

But if the community sounds reminiscent of the past, it also has some distinctly modern technology: 165 surveillance cameras that will keep watch over thousands of residents around the clock.

When it is complete, the surveillance system will be bigger than those in large cities such as Philadelphia, San Francisco and Boston. And the fact that it will be monitored by ordinary citizens has raised privacy concerns.


"They are using fear to sell the cameras as much as possible," said Charlie Crystle, a member of a fledgling citizens group that opposes the cameras and is trying to raise public awareness about them. "There's just a huge potential for personal and political abuse."

Officials in the city of 54,000 say the cameras have deterred crimes and helped solve them.

Monitored up to 24 hours a day
The white, domed cameras sit atop utility poles in public spaces, business districts and some residential areas. They are monitored 18 to 24 hours a day by employees of the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition, a nonprofit board with workers who report suspected crimes to police.

[Coben Majere]

Quote: Originally Posted by blksmrf92

who has read the novel 1984?

just some thoughts on this one....

U.S. city blanketed with security cameras - Crime & courts- msnbc.com

Ok, let me tell you about Lancaster co.

I use to work in the Prison in Lancaster Co. I use to live in this county. 3 murders? I suspect it was much more then that, wasn't it last year that guy went into the Amish school and killed several school kids?

First off, Lancaster co has a HUGE drug and gang problem. HUGE. Lancaster county prison is a rough prison too. Granted it's not Graterford (philly) but it's very rough for a county prison. There have been gun fights in downtown lancaster at midday between police and thugs! I refuse to do any shopping in the downtown area because of the criminal element. I know many of them, and see them when I am forced to go into Lancaster.

The cameras, while I don't agree with them, I understand the need for them. Given a choice, I'd say no, but you can't argue with the results. Honestly, I'd much rather have stiffer penalties for crimes, especially career criminals. The recividism rate is staggering in this country. It's time to start using the electric chair as a deterrent. Death for life in prison, and minimum of 20 year sentences for 3x felony convictions.

[blksmrf92]

didn't realize it was that bad out there, I just don't like the fact of anything with big brother watching everything, let alone civilians watching the cameras......

[Adionik]

Big brother can watch New orleans all he wants