I feel safer already and they haven’t even installed it yet. And, don’t live in SF.
With a $6 million federal Homeland Security grant, hundreds of San Francisco’s Muni buses will soon have high-tech video surveillance cameras the transit agency can survey in real-time. [...] The grant will pay for the installation of video surveillance systems on 358 Muni buses, according to city documents. The project also includes installation of wireless networks, computers and servers at three bus yards “that will enable SFMTA personnel to view, download and store the captured video images wirelessly and view them in real-time or through the Internet.”
[...]
According to city documents, “the new system will provide real-time viewing of images, inside and outside the bus, by law enforcement officers, emergency responders and other authorized personnel on a real-time basis from a distance of about 500 yards in case the bus is hijacked and used for terrorism activities.”These new high-tech cameras will be the latest addition to live-recording technology around The City. Taxi cabs have installed new recording devices capturing activity inside and outside the vehicle. In 2005, The City began installing police surveillance cameras, and 71 cameras now monitor 24 locations.
[...]
“The rights of privacy mean the government doesn’t get a blank check,” she said. “What is being done with the information, how long is it being retained and how is it being disseminated?”Those details have yet to be hashed out by the agency.
Here’s more info.
Found by Brother Uncle Don
Twitter and YouTube vids have been the first to report on major public disturbances, so wouldn’t it make more sense for the govt to monitor the social feeds than invest in defeatable static infrastructure? I know, I know… this isn’t about sense.
#20 – or they decide to shoot you because you came out of an apartment block that was under surveillance and you looked a bit tanned.
Of course Brazilians and Arabs all look the same to LEO.
With all these buses connected wirelessly, you’ll be able to tell how late the bus you’re waiting for is running, right? Is there an app for that?
Now _that_ would be a real public service…
#23, Agreed!
A city bus used in a terrorism act. Well, whatever it takes for SF to get more Federal money. As we all know, the Feds have plenty of money to hand out for just about anything with the work “terrorism” attached.
In real life they just spy on the bus drivers and get them for breaking chickenshit rules — at least in my city.
That camera looks strangely like a chewing gum depository.
Actually, there was an entire Hollywood movie about a city bus being used for terrorism. It’s called “Speed”, starring Kneau Reeves..
But all this again brings up my vision of an “Eleanor Rigby” future in which nobody leaves their house unless they are wearing a disguise. That is “wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door.”
Coming to a picturesque California city near you!
It looks like a paint ball gun would be adequate defense here.
#28, may be should all wear burqas. At least for Halloween.
#29, Sister, I am upset you don’t have a picture for us today.
All of the video needs to become public record. Then, if need be, the video is made part of normal police intelligence
http://web.archive.org/web/20000520095544/http://www.malcolm4mayor.com/
Great idea then & know, I think.
Click under “Manifesto” from the Malcolm McClaren for Mayor of London campaign of 2000.
With all these buses connected wirelessly, you’ll be able to tell how late the bus you’re waiting for is running, right? Is there an app for that?
already exists in Washington DC
>he new system will provide real-time viewing of images, inside and outside the bus, by law enforcement officers, emergency responders and other authorized personnel on a real-time basis from a distance of about 500 yards in case the bus is hijacked and used for terrorism activities
These belong in every public employee’s workplace MOST IMPORTANTLY IN THE POLICE VEHICLES AND POLICE BUILDINGS, for their safety.
The finest have very dangerous jobs, and this is the least we can do to guard the guards.
#30 – Sorry – you know what they say, “worthless as tits on a nun.”
#34 I, for one, wish to thank you. Never seen a crucifur before.
I do not worry about PUBLIC access.
I do not mind, as long as its NOT ABUSED..
But, I also ask that it be FULL PUBLIC ACCESS.
Anything the STATE/FED does, MUST BE PUBLIC.
All those police cameras, in the cop cars, SHOULD BE RELEASED ALSO..I dont care if the cop and his dog are having a Heated tet-a-tet in the back..RELEASE the videos..
#15 Miguel – It’s becoming just like the world in the original Rollerball movie.
#35, FTW. I’ve been trying to come up with something that sounded as cool (like the good Lord watching out for small animals like beavers and such) but nothing I can think of touches crucifur.
And thanks, Sister Mary!
So isn’t anybody going to comment on how progressive SF is? I think that cell phone outage is the progressivest (sic) thing I’ve seen