Question

[DanzaSlap]

This really isn't a Current Affair, but sorta. Rick (and others, of course), what do you think about putting cameras on street corners to record any crimes that may occur? Do you think it's too Big Brother-ish?

At first, it seemed so, but then I thought about it... and it's really not that much more intrusive than having cops drive around neighborhoods. The idea, I assume, is that they are making a presence in the neighborhood to prevent crime before it happens. If this is the case, cameras would cut down on the number of police officers needed to patrol the streets, thus saving taxpayer money in the end.

[outgirl]

My first instinct says no. I don't think it would prevent crimes. We have cameras everywhere on my job, yet they never seem to catch the jerks breaking in windows to steal cars. I do think they might be helpful in solving crimes that have already been commited. It might help find missing kids. The police might finally be able to catch all the fucking gay bashers that always seem to get away. It's a tough call because it's easy to see how it could be helpful but also how easily it could be abused. Interesting though.

[RS Davis]

Welcome back!!

I'm not sure how I feel about it. You have a point about the police presence, but I have this feeling that...


...Big Brother is watching.

I suspect this would not be a problem if the streets were owned and maintained by those that use them - businesses and residences on that street. Then they could decide for themselves if they wanted cameras up.

- Rick

[DanzaSlap]

Yeah, I guess they wouldn't really be all that effective in preventing crime. If you had cops watching the cameras like security guards and a couple cops out on the beat, I think that could be a good tandem. It does reek of Big Brother, though.

The reason I asked this is because in Europe, they have cameras all over the place in some cities, and they have relatively little crime. I don't think that's due to cameras, but who knows? It may help. I've often wondered why we have so much more crime here (and not just crime but violent crime). There's no simple, of that I am sure.

[RS Davis]

I pulled this for you, Danza. I thought, while your name is filthy, this would be a funny avatar:



Here's the link for your profile, if you want to use it:

www.tvtome.com/images/people/0/2/36-2586-sm.jpg

- Rick

[DanzaSlap]

RS said:

I pulled this for you, Danza. I thought, while your name is filthy, this would be a funny avatar:



Here's the link for your profile, if you want to use it:

www.tvtome.com/images/people/0/2/36-2586-sm.jpg

- Rick

The link tells me I'm forbidden. Guess I'm not cool enough to see it

But with this link, I've proven my telepathy. Did you see that security cameras are going up in your neck of the woods? I guess we'll get to see the practical application of these cameras.