Going to Florida? Big Brother's watching...

[insein]

http://usatoday.printthis.clickabil...rich-people-shun-privacy_x.htm&partnerID=1664

Florida town to use blanket of surveillance cameras
MANALAPAN, Fla. (AP) — One of the nation's wealthiest towns will soon have cameras and computers running background checks on every car and driver that passes through.
Police Chief Clay Walker said cameras will take infrared photos recording a car's tag number, then software will automatically run the numbers through law enforcement databases. A 911 dispatcher is alerted if the car is stolen or is the subject of a "be on the lookout" warning.

Next to the tag number, police will have a picture of the driver, taken with another set of cameras — upgraded versions of the standard surveillance cameras already in place.

If there is a robbery, police will be able to comb records to determine who drove through town on a given afternoon or evening.

"Courts have ruled that in a public area, you have no expectation of privacy," said Walker, one of 11 sworn officers who protects Manalapan's 321 residents. Still, Walker says Manalapan's data will be destroyed every three months.

Manalapan's town council authorized $60,000 in security upgrades last week after three burglaries this winter robbed residents of $400,000 in jewelry. The town averages two or three burglaries per year and residents demanded swift response, Town Manager Gregory Dunham said.

The 2000 Census listed Manalapan, about 15 miles south of West Palm Beach, among the nation's richest cities, with two out of every three homes worth more than $500,000.

Contributing: Information from: The Miami Herald.

Remind me to never visit Manalapan.

 

[Avatar4321]

They are just overreacting. It doesnt really matter what they do though. Bush will win Florida.

 

[jcon96]

Originally posted by Avatar4321
They are just overreacting. It doesnt really matter what they do though. Bush will win Florida.

What does this have to do with Bush winning in Florida? Anyway, I live close to the area in question, and if you could see the homes,well, if I owned one of them, I would want this level of security.

 

[Merlin1047]

Personally, I have no problem with surveillance of public areas. We are already constantly under scrutiny of cameras and video recorders in stores, hospitals, casinos and sometimes in common areas of apartment complexes.

We have no expectation of privacy when we're out in "public". Yes, I see the potential for abuse, but that can be dealt with through lawsuits, elections and disciplinary actions.

 

[Avatar4321]

Originally posted by jcon96
What does this have to do with Bush winning in Florida? Anyway, I live close to the area in question, and if you could see the homes,well, if I owned one of them, I would want this level of security.

You know. I have no idea what the heck i was thinking when i posted that.

 

[Moi]

Originally posted by Merlin1047
Personally, I have no problem with surveillance of public areas. We are already constantly under scrutiny of cameras and video recorders in stores, hospitals, casinos and sometimes in common areas of apartment complexes.

We have no expectation of privacy when we're out in "public". Yes, I see the potential for abuse, but that can be dealt with through lawsuits, elections and disciplinary actions.

The only abuse that I've ever seen with regard to videos clearly comes from the private side: surrepticous videos of womeon in health clubs, rest rooms, Hooter's try outs, etc. Some people even brazenly videotape apartments and houses.

I have never heard a single case of law enforcement using technology like this to harm anyone (don't mean just physically).

 

[Gop guy]

Originally posted by Avatar4321
They are just overreacting. It doesnt really matter what they do though. Bush will win Florida.

HE DAMN WELL BETTER.