Mayor outlines elaborate camera network for city [Chicago]

[Michael]

From a hi-tech command center, the City of Chicago plans to monitor a vast security network. Thousands of surveillance cameras will be linked -- and authorities will be alerted to crimes and terrorist acts. The mayor unveiled the plans for this new security network at a news conference this morning.

Some people are concerned about "Big Brother" invading their privacy but Mayor Daley says the cameras will be located in public areas.

The technology that is now so much a part of crime-fighting and anti-terrorism has gone -- as one police spokesman says -- from Stone Age to Star Wars in less than a decade. This step in the evolution will link more than 2,000 public surveillance cameras in Chicago into a unified system.


Full story...

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/news/090904_ap_ns_camera.html

[vggiegirl]

Greeeeeat....What next. Pretty soon we won't be able to fart in this city. :down:
He already put cameras at LOTS of intersections to enforce the No Turn On Red rules...glad to see my money is being put to good use :rolleyes:

[mouse]

Isn't this sort of system already in place in England (and perhaps other countries) as part of their anti terrorist efforts?

[epski]

I'm not necessarily in favor of spending tons of money on stuff like this, but this whole privacy thing (in public) strikes me as kind of odd. I know it's kinda naive to say so, but if you're not doing something illegal or that you ought to be ashamed of, who cares if it's being recorded? I'd like to read extensive pro and con lists for a system like this so I can fairly hear out the issue.

[mouse]

I agree, Epski. I don't think that you can reasonably have an expectation of privacy when you're in a public place. I'd be curious to hear from people who live in places where this is already being done as to how effective it is.

[Peebs]

Coming next: Black shirted Republicon storm troopers armed with clubs and pistols to defend society against rag heads, pinkos and fags!

Resistance is futile!

[epski]

Nah, too expensive.

[vggiegirl]

Coming next: Black shirted Republicon storm troopers armed with clubs and pistols to defend society against rag heads, pinkos and fags!

Resistance is futile!

Ooooh how fun! British soldier style!

[Eva-bo-beva]

I heard it was mostly for the subway/el stations, which I'm definately all for. It can get pretty creepy at night around here. I'd don't mind someone seeing me pick my wedgie if it helps decrease crime. Who would actually be watching all these cameras?