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Houston Police Chief Wants Cameras in Homes

An anonymous reader writes "In one of the most blatant and frightening statements made on privacy, the Associated Press reports that Houston's police chief wants surveillance cameras in apartment buildings and even private homes. Chief Harold Hurtt wants building permits to require cameras in shopping malls and large apartment complexes. He also wants them in private homes if the homeowner has called the police repeatedly. So, if you're in Houston, don't call the cops too much, or they might install a camera the next time they show up. And what does Hurtt have to say about privacy concerns? 'I know a lot of people are concerned about Big Brother, but my response to that is, if you are not doing anything wrong, why should you worry about it?'"

12 of 804 comments (clear)

  1. unreal by oedneil · · Score: 5, Funny

    How can someone say something that crazy and be taken seriously? Who does he think he is, Dvorak?

  2. Brainstorm? by rk · · Score: 4, Funny

    "He (Houston Mayor Bill White) called the chief's proposal a 'brainstorm' rather than a decision."

    I'd call it a brainfart, myself. This is something so creepifying I almost want to say it's a bogus article.

  3. Idiot Texas Overlords? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    There's more than one idiot from Texas.

  4. Not a bad idea... by jjh37997 · · Score: 3, Funny

    If police chief Harold Hurtt wants to put a camera in my home be my guest.... so long as I can watch a live feed of him in his home and at the police station. If someone wants to track my movements with a camera I say go ahead.... but only if I get to know who's watching me and I have the ability to watch them back. An open and transparent society can make the world both safe and free. The only thing wrong with traditional surveillance is the imbalence of power between the watchers and the watched.

  5. Re:Good god by mrchaotica · · Score: 4, Funny

    Better make sure it's a hardcover edition!

    --

    "[Regarding the 'cloud,'] ownership was what made America different than Russia." -- Woz

  6. Re:I have the perfect place for that new bookshelf by RichardX · · Score: 3, Funny

    And the back of your bookshelf is the perfect place to hang that giant goatse poster your aunt got you for Christmas...

    --
    Curiosity was framed. Ignorance killed the cat.
  7. Re:someone shove a camera in his rectum by miffo.swe · · Score: 5, Funny

    All we would see was his face.

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    HTTP/1.1 400
  8. Re:Why I should worry about it. by jZnat · · Score: 5, Funny

    And here's the kicker... I DON'T WANT YOU TO KNOW ABOUT IT.

    And neither does any other sane person, thank you very much.

    --
    'Yes, firefox is indeed greater than women. Can women block pops up for you? No. Can Firefox show you naked women? Yes.'
  9. Re:No one will be happy... by Loonacy · · Score: 3, Funny

    No need, I've already done it for you.

  10. A camera in my home? No Problem ... by Tux2000 · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... just wait until I find some pictures of my granny naked at the age of 80 that I can hang in front of the camera, covering the entire lens. You want to add a microphone? Sure, if you want me to add a headphone and an mp3 player playing an endless loop of my entire modem handshake sound collection. ;-)

    Tux2000

    --
    Denken hilft.
  11. first test by EraserMouseMan · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think the police officers should be the first ones to test out the new cameras in every room of their homes. After all, they probably call the police department more than anyone else.

  12. Scottie by ConanG · · Score: 3, Funny

    Scottie on Star Trek invented this. "I canno dew it, Cap'n! I need more time!" Invariably, he would always deliver. Made him look like an engineering GOD.