They've Got a D.C. Eye on You
News from last week I think we missed, and a good reason for all my D.C. based colleagues to straighten up, fly right, and keep their eyes in the back of their heads: D.C. plans to expand its linked system of cameras to include private systems as well as public. From the D.C. Examiner:
The city's homeland security agency is planning to add thousands of security cameras from private businesses around the nation's capital and the Metro system to the thousands of electronic eyes that authorities are already monitoring 24/7.
D.C.'s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency has already centralized the feeds from more than 4,500 cameras operated by the District's department of transportation and school system. Those feeds are watched around the clock by officials from those departments who sit together in homeland security's Joint All-Hazards Operation Center…..
A plan for 2011 submitted to the city administrator by HSEMA says the agency plans to centralize cameras at private businesses and those run by Metro and the D.C. Housing Authority. The plan doesn't have a timeline, and [HSEMA spokesperson Robyn] Johnson said there isn't one.
Homeland security says the centralized camera system is designed to be used to raise "situational awareness" during "developing significant events" like the shooting at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2009 or the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
At the very least, any meaningful actual monitoring of such an elaborate system will make a nifty makework program in these high-unemployment times. Helping us to, yes, Win The Future, and secure in knowing that we are being thoroughly watched as we do.
Past Reason coverage of D.C.'s cameras.
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How is it legal for them to just gain access to private security feeds? What if the owners say no?
I’m wondering the same thing. However, I would guess they same way they make business owners do what they desire, by law.
Me, three. I don’t get it.
Simple; they asked.
You know, how they “ask” you to pay your taxes.
Exactly. I’ve been expecting this move for a couple of years. Why wouldn’t the government want access to private electric eyes.
Oh, right, the voluntary taxation system we have.
Ve haf ways of making you comply.
America. See your future. Be your future. May. Make. Make it. Make it. Make your future, America. I’m, I’m a veg, America.
Add some biometrics and you’ve got an idea I came up with years ago… Insta-stalk?!
I blame George Orwell.
In another 50 years, people will read that book and wonder why Winston was being a rebel.
AFSCME cat is watching you scurry for his 90% pension payout.
Why would anyone voluntarily live in DC?
To enjoy the pleasures of legalized plunder?
Of course, even with thousands of cameras around, the men and women in blue never appear in surveilance footage.
They also don’t have reflections in mirrors.
Guess there’s no honor among thieves.
D.C.’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency has already centralized the feeds from more than 4,500 cameras operated by the District’s department of transportation and school system.
These will make for some interesting Youtube videos, no doubt.
Like when they spot Pelosi and Bouhner going into a motel room together.
Great fucking album.
I’m missing the reference and Google isn’t much help. Care to explain?
TV Eye – The Stooges, off of Funhouse
Wow, do I feel like an idiot now. Not sure how I missed that seeing that I own the album.
Since it’s the D.C. government we’re talking about, there’s a money angle involved. Undoubtedly the idea is to expand the basic idea of camera-based traffic citations into other areas of life.
The notion of the D.C. government being involved in security during any kind of major terrorism event is both laughable and frightening.
“… one nation, under surveillance, with liberty and justice for none.”
that hurt.
I also understand that the cameras will also be equipped with loudspeakers which will play an endless loop of “God Bless The USA” by Lee Greenwood.
You know, to remind us how free we are.