Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Whose Cameras Are Watching New York Roads?

Posted by timothy on from the hope-it's-the-model-un dept.

NormalVisual writes "License-plate reading cameras are popping up on utility poles all over St. Lawrence County in upstate New York, but no one is willing to say who they belong to. One camera was found by a utility crew, removed from the pole, and given to the local police. 'Massena Police Chief Timmy Currier said he returned it to the owner, but wouldn't say how he knew who the owner was, nor would he say who he gave it to....(Andrew) McMahon, the superintendent at Massena Electric Department, said one of his crews found a box on one of their poles and took it down because "it was in the electric space," the top tier of wires on the pole above the telephone and cable TV wires, and whoever put it there had taken a chance with electrocution. He said they had never received a request or been informed about its placement.'"

3 of 376 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Whatever happened to transparency? by JustShootMe · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Not agreeing or disagreeing with your point, but since Mitt isn't going to be any better, according to you, why are you focusing on Obama? Agreed that he is president, but implicit in your statement is an admission that the problem is bigger than Obama.

    --
    For linux tips: http://www.linuxtipsblog.com
  2. Re:Treaspassing by whoever57 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    What is the point of having these cameras, if not to catch speeders and red-light runners? If those two ARE the point of having these cameras, then people would be receiving citations based on photos from these cameras.

    My guess would be a three-letter-agency, in the "war on (terror|drugs|communism|whatever)"

    --
    The real "Libtards" are the Libertarians!
  3. Re:Treaspassing by demachina · · Score: 5, Insightful

    DEA has had license plate reading cameras on U.S. highways for a while. In particular they record every car on some routes in California, Texas, Arizona and recently Utah using ELSAG cameras though they usually make no attempt to hide them.

    They analyze the data looking for people transporting drugs from the Mexican border among other things. Maybe they are just expanding the program to watch the traffic along the northern border too.

    So, yea welcome to the big brother police state, we've been in it a while now. Say cheese!!

    --
    @de_machina