Big Brother is watching!
165 closed-circuit TV cameras are placed on nearly every street, public space, and park in Lancaster, used by roughly 55,000 residents. The number of cameras exceeds the number in some major cities, such as San Francisco and Boston.
Not surprisingly, the Department of Homeland Security issues grants that help cover the cost of privacy invasion. Many residents as well as people from all around the world are outraged at implicated watch dog systems -- and Britain is topping the charts as a "surveillance society."
Lancaster Pa, August 24, 2009--The Citizens Against Public Surveillance (CAPS) is holding a large protest against the implementation of surveillance cameras deployed in Lancaster, PA, and is inviting all who want a voice in this matter to attend. CAPS is a recent offshoot of the Lancaster Coalition for Sensible Security (LCSS), and is organized to end the hasty deployment of the privately run, Orwellian surveillance system in a city of 55,000 people with a 25% poverty rate.
The CAPS protest will be held this Saturday at Farnum Park (Water & Conestoga Streets) at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 29, 2009. The protesters will then march to Lancaster Square at 2:00 pm for the rest of their rally. The theme of the rally is - “Take the cameras down”.
LA Times, "Lancaster, PA keeps an eye on itself"
Comments
Parts of Lancaster, Pennsylvania are very dangerous and with the growing population, there is a need to have more cameras implemented. I think that there wasn't a need for 165 cameras, however they do serve a purpose. We need to protect communities and if the police aren't doing enough, then surveillance cameras are the best alternative.
Cameras have been proven effective in preventing crime, catching those who commit heinous crimes, and can be the smoking gun necessary to prosecute a criminal. Unless we show that these cameras are being used unreasonably or inappropriately, there's no call for outrage. These types of cameras are not used to instill fear of the government, they are giving people a small ounce of freedom from the borderline anarchy that can exist in our most violent cities.
I agree with both of the above (Chris and Tim). I am familiar with Lancaster and the kind of area it is. It only makes sense to have these in place and gives respectable citizens peace of mind knowing that if something were to happen to them, it is more likely that a perpetrator will be caught with these Cameras.
These are NOT a violation of privacy. If you want privacy, you should not go about your business in every "street, public space, and park in Lancaster"
These camera's are like the cops who sit on the highway - people will speed by if there is no cop on the road, but once they see one they start obeying the speed limit. You are only nervous about pulling over when you are breaking the law - the same should be true of these cameras.
I think this is some ridiculous nonsense, these people aren't even qualified law enforcement officers. This essentially constitutes high tech peeping toms and nosy neighbors, being emboldened and justified by a ludicrous system set up to attempt to prevent crime by intimidating the public to live in fear.
Stacy,
you are a disgrace to everything i wrote about. people like you are the most self-interested people i have ever seen. OH MY GOD CAMERAS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO MONITOR AREAS FOR CRIME!!! THAT IS SO TERRIBLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. get over yourself.
Thomas Jefferson would never say that.
Nor would he let the government get as big as it is, today.
Not that I go about putting words in people's mouths all day. Ahem.
Four score and seven years ago, I pwned your ass in reasoning. Let's do it again, for the kiddies. What stacy did not inform is that these cameras DO in fact dispense treats for kids and automatically repel beaver attacks.
the government is evil. basicallyyyyyyyyyyyy, anythihng they do is terrible and we are not to trust it!!! especially when they try to take money from the rich, because the rich are our most important people. i mean, when we try to take a couple extra percent of a billionaires money so that he has a few less million dollars, i cry a little because i feel terrible for how poor they are. SCREW THE POOR YEAH!!!!!!!!
This is a good article. I found it good. I wish more good articles were written by Our Founding Fathers. Thomas Jerfffson once quotes as saying "I believe that every freedom comes great responsabilitey." I think he's truthful in his determinate and power.
sup?
Basketball is my favorite sport. I like the way they dribble up and down the court. I like the give and go, I like the pick-and-roll; this is basketball by Mr. Kurtis Blow.
On a related note, Obama is a terrorist and evil. He's also somehow a fascist and a socialist at the same time. I guess that's the logic that goes with conservatism though.
have a seat right over there
I believe that my right to be videotaped is just as important as my right to do blow.
Do you think Obama will try to kill me in the DEATH PANELS because I'm old? I went ahead and got boobie implants so that if he does I can just show him my tata's. We all know how people love big knockers. maybe he can do a motorboat
old lady that's racism. I'll do motorboat tho... wuts ur #?
hai mike ;))))))))))))))) do you have a big 8===========D?
my number is 69-boobz-69
I believe that my right to be videotaped is just as important as my right to do blow.
Surveillance cameras are technology run amuck; a Stalinist, police state concept having no place in America. Because you can, doesn’t mean you should. They violate citizens right to free movement and exchange, confirming the Founders belief that government, if unchecked, will eliminate freedom.
Airport shakedowns and spy cameras turn justice on its head; punishing the many for the actions of the few. Mayor J. Richard Gray of Lancaster is a threat to Freedom everywhere. He must resign.
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