Andrew Noble, president of photo radar manufacturer Gatso USA, recently invoked 9/11 as a reason he believes the public is becoming more accepting to surveillance in the form of automated ticketing during an audio interview with “Traffic Technology Today”:
…We’ve seen an increase if you like on public acceptance of surveillance / security — CCTV cameras are on the increase in the US.
9/11 had a big impact on that and the idea that to some extent safety does come with increased security surveillance.
And so there’s less pushback now on the idea of cameras in the community.
Remember this?
Someone should really inform Mr. Noble that the plethora of existing CCTV cameras did nothing to prevent 9/11. In addition, the notion that “safety” comes only with increased government surveillance is laughable. A $340 million dollar (USD) camera network in London proves it:
…an analysis of the publicly funded spy network, which is owned and controlled by local authorities and Transport for London, has cast doubt on its ability to help solve crime.
A comparison of the number of cameras in each London borough with the proportion of crimes solved there found that police are no more likely to catch offenders in areas with hundreds of cameras than in those with hardly any.
In fact, four out of five of the boroughs with the most cameras have a record of solving crime that is below average.
It's always about the money
With the “safety” argument out of the way, what could possibly be the motive for increased surveillance of the public? Just keep listening to Gatso’s Noble as he admits the truth:
The second thing, quite frankly, is money in those communities.
Money money money. “Bucketfuls of money,” as one Prescott, Arizona councilman put it.
Oh, and just in case you want to contact Gatso, you can call or email Kristin Noble (Andrew’s wife?). I’m sure they’re always looking for good suggestions on where they can stick their cameras.
Kristin Noble
(978) 922-7296
k.noble@gatso.com
Let see, we’re coming up on what, 8 YEARS with not even a minor attack on the US. Man, I am so scared that I will die in a terror attack that I will give up all my freedom for cameras everywhere to monitor me. Oh yeah, the government is stopping all the attacks secretly so there aren’t any. Reminds be of the tiger repellent episode from the simpsons. It’s the same specious reasoning the camera proponents use to justify the cameras.
“After a single bear wandering into town has drawn an over-reaction from the residents of Springfield, Homer stands outside his house and muses, “Not a bear in sight. The Bear Patrol is working like a charm!”
Lisa sees through his reasoning: “That’s specious reasoning, dad.” Homer, misunderstanding the word “specious”, thanks her for the compliment.
Optimistically, she tries to explain the error in his argument: “By your logic, I could claim that this rock keeps tigers away.” Homer is confused: “Hmm; how does it work?” Lisa: “It doesn’t work; it’s just a stupid rock!” Homer: “Uh-huh.” Lisa: “… but I don’t see any tigers around, do you?”
Homer, after a moment’s thought: “Lisa, I want to buy your rock…””
Will all the runways have them?
I sent a little love note. I wonder what list I will be added to. Any guesses?
The whole purpose behind 9/11 was to invoke a sense of fear and panic in the people so they would willingly agree to more government, more security, and more regulation, all the while eroding civil liberties.
Strange to quote a Founding Father to citizens of the nation he helped to build but here goes…
Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Ben Franklin knew his stuff. He would have known that you don’t beat would-be totalitarians by becoming totalitarian yourself. And clearly cameras are no more effective at controlling crime than they are at improving road safety…
Gatso are clutching at straws because they are beginning to sense that the jig is up!
and the credibility of a camera operator talking to “Traffic Technology Today” would be about the same as Adolf Hitler being interviewed by the Volkische Beobachter, I think!
I’m not quite clear what they are burning. It looks sort of like a rubber tire on top, but it is more interesting than a standard camera from an esthetic view. Actually it seems rather attractive. Maybe Redflex should consider trying that with more of their cameras if they want to entertain the public and get some good publicity. Oh, I forget they are trying to make $$$$$$ and that wouldn’t necessarily generate any revenue. They could advertise in advance and charge tickets to watch.
It looks like Redflex is impersonating police in Eloy now too: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20355779&BRD=1817&PAG=461&dept_id=222077&rfi=6
Hopefully someone will burn this van.
You know, this news snippet out of little ol’ Eloy has given us more info about Redflex’s operating procedures (post shooting) and van capabilities in months. Good work Lindsey Gemme!
The smiley face on the minivan reminds me of the “Hurrah, I’m back!” sign the SS used to put on recaptured escapees from Auschwitz before they were slaughtered. Talk about sick humour..
lowering the threshold to 6 miles now?
Parasites who drain their host do not survive.
WTF?
http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/08/05/gahannacycle.html?sid=101
Driving 149 MPH on I-70 which is the major freeway from Cleveland to Cinncinnati is not anything to get so excited about. Any fool can drive 149 in a straight line on a motorcycle in about 10-15 seconds. I would be more impressed if he averaged that speed from Columbus to Cleveland. As a police officer, he should be trained to drive that fast until he catches his suspect if that is the speed it takes to get the suspect. Practically every new sport bike being manufactured these days is capable of going that fast. It is interesting that the cop that ticketed him cut off the taped conversation. Gee, the speeding officer must have been incriminating himself. Remember all officers are to serve and protect each other; FUCK PROTECTING THE CITIZENS-WHO CARES ABOUT THEM. (POLICE OFFICERS CREED)
The RedFlex employee in the linked Eloy story above (zwire.com) shows a “Clay Poe” as an employee. Anyone know him? Redflex workers should really start realizing they’re going to have a public spotlight on them in the coming months.
Excellent point.. Perhaps a new website could be started…
The downside to that is that The Powers that Be could do the same thing to us. They already know who I am, where I live, what I drive, and how I vote, so I don’t really care. But they could start publishing your personal info online.
Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age, but I’m prepared to honor any non-aggression agreement with Redflex or ATS employees. Today’s adversadies could be tomorrow’s allies. Of course, this excludes upper management, Warriner, and Vanderpool.
Is it weird that gatso is seems so much like gestapo?
http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/columnists/kevin_engstrom/2009/08/09/10406301-sun.html
Seems the chief and his City Hall masters loved the extra millions generated last year from illegally issued photo radar tickets and, like a crack addict looking for his next score, are hoping to keep cashing in at motorists’ expense.
rps forgets about the lives that were saved !!! you clowns always seem to forget that part !!!
what lives were saved? by the way, many lives can be saved by forbidding anyone from driving at all, why don’t we just do that?
your comment was right up there with some of the worst ever written at this site…you should be proud !!
thank good cctv
infrared cctv