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Chicago Links School Cameras To Police

Posted by Soulskill on from the i'll-be-watching-you dept.

Farakin brings us a story about how cameras in roughly 200 Chicago schools are being connected to police headquarters and the city's 911 emergency center. The goal of the effort is to "consolidate video surveillance," and it will involve both routine monitoring and real-time updates to officers on their way to a crisis. According the the Chicago Tribune, "The mayor acknowledged the cameras provide only limited security, citing a spate of shootings in recent days that have claimed young victims during after-school hours." The story also contains a video in which Mayor Daley indicated that he expects the cameras to serve as a deterrent now that people know they're under the eye of the police.

5 of 156 comments (clear)

  1. Big Brother knows best by orclevegam · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Remember, Big Brother is watching.

    I predict nothing will come of this but a bunch of kids getting in trouble for flicking off the cameras. Or maybe someone will get creative and steal some of the cameras, now that would be awesome.

    --
    Curiosity was framed, Ignorance killed the cat.
    1. Re:Big Brother knows best by zappepcs · · Score: 5, Funny

      I have no clue why you were moded off-topic... wtf?

      You are right, and now that there will be fewer law enforcement officers around, and kids know where the cameras are... well, you can imagine where the crimes will happen now, right? Anywhere but in front of the cameras.

      Can I patent the business process used for this decision?
      step one - unholster gun
      step two - ensure that it is loaded
      step three - aim at your own foot
      step four - hold a press conference to announce your new plan
      step five - shoot your foot ...
      step six - make tougher anticrime measures^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H profit

      --
      Support NYCountryLawyer RIAA vs People
    2. Re:Big Brother knows best by orclevegam · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Or they could wear one of these, thanks for reminding me of it.

      --
      Curiosity was framed, Ignorance killed the cat.
  2. priorities by Presto+Vivace · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How many reading teachers could have been hired for the price of those cameras? This is sad, just sad.

  3. cameras by Badbone · · Score: 5, Insightful
    The cameras arent about deterrence or consolidation. In fact, these cameras dont have to be connected to the police. All that matters is the perception they are. They are just there to get kids used to the idea of having cameras watching them, and having those cameras connected to the police.

    What once was unthinkable will become commonplace. The first few years, kids will rebel, maybe even take down a camera or two, obscure its picture, that sort of thing. Given enough time, the kids are sufficiently inured to the cameras, and they wont even see them anymore.

    Kids that dont notice cameras will grow to be adults that dont notice cameras. Thats the whole point of this exercise. Get em while their young.

    --
    It can be go tiem now plees?