Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Cameras Help Cops Catch a Killer

Posted by kdawson on from the panopticon dept.

CrazedWalrus writes "Philadelphia police recently captured a serial killer with the help of a combination of Homeland Security and private surveillance cameras. Police examined video from 50 different cameras and pieced together relevant footage from 12 of them, and eventually were able to identify the murderer. Once caught, he confessed to several other murders spanning the past eight years. Without these cameras this killer would probably be stalking the streets of Philadelphia today. With results like that, is there really a good basis for argument against these cameras?"

17 of 754 comments (clear)

  1. Last Post! by killa62 · · Score: 1, Funny

    Well, I'm going off to federal-pound-me-in-the-ass-prison!

    When I get out, I hope there won't be any cameras anymore!

  2. Re:Same as always by Fred_A · · Score: 5, Funny
    Just because some intrusive technology was used for good at one occasion, doesn't mean that it completely turnes the tides on the discussion.
    Of course it does, you do realise it's the first time ever they caught a serial killer. Or a criminal for that matter. It's a major progress !
    --

    May contain traces of nut.
    Made from the freshest electrons.
  3. "With results like that..." by RLiegh · · Score: 5, Funny

    Hey, I'm sold! The government may at will monitor every call, every email, examine my credit history in minute detail, access my library lending habits and even do a physical search of my home (neither without telling me)...but if by doing so one child's life is saved then by gum -it's worth it!

    1. Re:"With results like that..." by Ingolfke · · Score: 2, Funny

      Dear sir,

      I am please to inform you that we already do. Rest assured your government is doing everything it can to protect you.

      Sincerly,
      Your Government

  4. Re:I don't have a problem. by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 5, Funny

    Put a camera on the helmet of every policeman and you have the best of both worlds :)

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  5. Re:Yes, but by LiquidCoooled · · Score: 2, Funny

    No, but they did manage to find out which pharmacy he used by looking at the reflection on the windscreen of a car 3 miles down the road.

    --
    liqbase :: faster than paper
  6. Re:Same as always by Joebert · · Score: 5, Funny

    One time Bill stumbled in on me and the old lady during a party & scared off a peeping Tom at the window, now we just have Bill stand there & watch us every time for safety.

    --
    Wanna fight ? Bend over, stick your head up your ass, and fight for air.
  7. Re:No one is asking the right question by Fred_A · · Score: 4, Funny
    *why do people perform unethical crimes?*
    I too would prefer people to stick to ethical crimes, but, youngsters today, with their hip hop... What can you do ?
    --

    May contain traces of nut.
    Made from the freshest electrons.
  8. Re:Treating us like kindergarteners by Fred_A · · Score: 4, Funny
    Way back when I was in kindergarten if a few people talked too loudly when they weren't supposed to, we would all get punished by having our heads put down. I'd like to think I've progressed beyond kindergartener status...
    No, actually, your kindergarden teacher got elected apparently.
    --

    May contain traces of nut.
    Made from the freshest electrons.
  9. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 2, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  10. Re:I don't have a problem. by Claws+Of+Doom · · Score: 3, Funny

    I think this is inaccurate, and has nothing to do with human rights. We do not have the right to hit policemen in the UK... Or have I totally misunderstood how the law stands?

    Oh boy...

    *Goes to fetch cricket bat*

  11. Re:I don't have a problem. by ErroneousBee · · Score: 2, Funny

    *Goes to fetch cricket bat*

    You are not allowed to use cricket bats to hit policemen in Britain.

    The reasoning behind this law is that "it just wouldn't be cricket".

    --
    **TODO** Steal someone elses sig.
  12. 50 cameras? by null+etc. · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm confused. I thought they only needed 1 camera and some really good software. You know, "zoom in on that reflection of the lamp post and enhance contrast, removing noise and distortion based on the shadow information and weather report".

  13. Re:Same as always by Lord+Bitman · · Score: 3, Funny

    But that's an argument for cameras! Even if they didn't prevent 9/11, without those cameras we wouldn't have known who performed the attacks -> wouldn't have known to invade Iraq!!

    --
    -- 'The' Lord and Master Bitman On High, Master Of All
  14. Re:Same as always by kyouteki · · Score: 2, Funny

    Naw, all of those Iraquistanis look alike.

    --
    A slashdotter who didn't build his own computer is like a Jedi who didn't build his own lightsaber.
  15. Re:Same as always by TheDawgLives · · Score: 2, Funny

    now we just have Bill stand there & watch us every time for safety.

    Safety? Oh, right, that's why I have him stand there and watch too... safety.

    --
    -TheDawgLives suckitdown
  16. Re:Same as always by Evanisincontrol · · Score: 3, Funny
    I just have him stand behind me and choke me till I'm finished.


    Or until he's finished, whichever comes first.

    Whichever comes first! That's a two-fer!