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NYPD Anti-Terrorism Cameras Used For Much More

Posted by Soulskill on from the donut-location-devices dept.

An anonymous reader writes with an excerpt from the NY Times: "The Police Department's growing web of license-plate-reading cameras has been transforming investigative work. Though the imaging technology was conceived primarily as a counterterrorism tool, the cameras' presence — all those sets of watchful eyes that never seem to blink — has aided in all sorts of traditional criminal investigations. ... 'We knew going into it that they would have other obvious benefits,' Mr. Browne said about the use of the readers in the initiative. 'Obviously, conventional crime is far more common than terrorism, so it is not surprising that they would have benefits, more frequently, in conventional crime fighting than in terrorism.'"

7 of 400 comments (clear)

  1. Safe Slumber by jimmerz28 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I can't wait til this becomes a nationwide practice so that all civilians can feel safe knowing that the terrorists and criminals are being actively monitored and will never ever harm us again.

  2. It's funny by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Leaving blood and semen samples along with my fingerprints is what got me in trouble with police in the first place.

  3. Re:Driving patterns by FictionPimp · · Score: 3, Funny

    Obviously you need to not park near crime scenes...it's not rocket science. Do you really have any business being near crime scenes?

  4. Re:NYT = fail by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Funny

    "if you're looking for news, you need to find a new teat to suckle"

    Robin Meade on CNN comes to mind.

  5. Re:Records retention? by hubie · · Score: 1, Funny

    Inspector Gadget

  6. Re:a.k.a. "Cops No Longer Looking At License Plate by Attila+Dimedici · · Score: 3, Funny

    They will probably write and mail you a ticket for having an illegal junk yard with a fine for each of the 4320 "cars" parked in your driveway, that you wil have to go to separate court dates in order to fight.

    --
    The truth is that all men having power ought to be mistrusted. James Madison
  7. Re:Driving patterns by chaboud · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why not just lock them all up to be sure?

    I gotta say, I think I see where you're going with it, and I love it.

    That's because I'm not a criminal, and I'd never be mistaken for one, because it's obvious how good I am, and I trust the system... oh, and I'm retarded.