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Minneapolis Airport Gets $20 Million Hi-Tech Security Upgrade

Posted by samzenpus on from the all-the-better-to-see-you dept.

New submitter bzzfzz writes "The Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) is beginning a $20 million upgrade of its surveillance system. The upgrade will include 1800 high-definition cameras, facial recognition systems, and digital archiving to replace the analog tape system in use since the 1980s. The system will serve both security and operational goals. The MAC asserts that improved camera technology yields improved security as though the connection between the two is so strong that no proof is required."

9 of 104 comments (clear)

  1. means better stalked by harvey+the+nerd · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Now we can be better stalked and assaulted by miscellaneous anonymous government bureaucrats.

    1. Re:means better stalked by cayenne8 · · Score: 4, Insightful
      Why don't they just hire out a bunch of bomb sniffing dogs which would catch most anything of real danger to the plane....and quit irradiating people?

      Oh wait...that would make sense...and not cost the taxpayers an arm and a leg....

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    2. Re:means better stalked by mr1911 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Why don't they just hire out a bunch of bomb sniffing dogs which would catch most anything of real danger to the plane....and quit irradiating people?

      It will make a lot more sense once you accept the fact that the vast majority of things the government does for "safety" or "security" has nothing to do with actual safety of security of the citizenry.

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  2. LOL ... tautology ... by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "The ability to have more coverage, by definition, is you have the chance to be safer."

    Who needs 'proof' when all you've said is that having more coverage gives you a chance to be safer? Well, yes, "it might help", which simply can't be refuted since it doesn't really say much.

    One more step towards the 100% surveillance society we're moving towards.

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    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    1. Re:LOL ... tautology ... by rossjudson · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Any idea how many actual terrorists have actually been discovered by TSA personnel doing security inspections? Seems to me that the most likely answer is zero. You can then make the argument that the increased security procedures have scared off potential terrorists, I suppose.

      There just doesn't seem to be any limit to how far ball-free politicians will go to make air travel appear to be "safer", while at the same time completely ignoring other modes of transportation that are equally dangerous (and equally pointless to monitor).

      Seems to me that the main weakness in the system was the lack of lockable cockpit doors. That has been corrected.

    2. Re:LOL ... tautology ... by Bomazi · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Israeli-type security is not acceptable. I shouldn't be interrogated just because I have the audacity to travel. A pre-911 level of security with some improvements (better intelligence, reinforced cockpit doors) is more than enough. Terrorism is one of the most unlikely cause of death, behind food poisoning or slipping in a bathtub. We could avoid all that shit if we spent a thousandth of what we waste on "security" on teaching statistics.

    3. Re:LOL ... tautology ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Stop with the Israeli myth. Israel has horribly intrusive airport security, and to wish that upon Americans is to wish apartheid, and repeal of all civil rights and lberties. It will be much worse than we have to deal with today.

      Discalimer, detained for 24 hours, by Israeli security. Had property confiscated and never returned, and some very expensive property returned (after 3 months), but destroyed. Copied my entire journal. Also withheld our luggage for several days so had to just hang out at Rome airport for almost a week waiting for Israeli security to release our luggage. Our offense? Trying to check our bags in 4 hours before flight, so we could go get lunch. Our goal with the flight, to get out of the most oppressive, racist, hell-hole I have ever had the displeasure of visiting.

  3. Re:Why is no one doing anything? by dkleinsc · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Because this is something that the Washington establishment, which involves most people in both major parties, have decided is not going to be an election issue, along with Gitmo, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush tax cuts, the imprisonment and killing of American citizens without trial, the noticeable lack of prosecutions of Wall St bankers for fraud, and mass surveillance of Americans by the NSA.

    Basically, it doesn't affect anybody who's rich enough or powerful enough to own a private jet, so nobody with the wealth or power to influence elections cares about it.

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  4. Catching TSA thieves by billstewart · · Score: 3, Insightful

    The TSA has a history of stealing stuff from people's checked luggage and occasionally even their hand luggage or laptops. Maybe these cameras will be used to catch some of those thieves?

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    Bill Stewart
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