Original author, cwade@tampatrib.com (813) 259-7679 for Tampa Bay Online

In a society that has seen privacy devalued by social networking and reality television, it’s still unsettling to think that everywhere you go in downtown Detroit, a camera will be watching.

Detroit Police hope to bolster safety in the central business district by connecting a network of 350 security cameras to a central viewing post to track activity on the streets, search out wanted criminal suspects, check parking lots and monitor crowds.

Police Chief Ralph Godbee says he is responding to increased incidents of crime downtown. The department is also establishing “safe houses” throughout the central city — buildings with open doors where visitors can take refuge if they feel threatened.

On one hand, Godbee is to be commended for a rapid response to a problem that could devastate downtown’s comeback.

Reports have been coming in of fights, shootings and traffic issues around downtown nightspots. The key to attracting visitors to businesses, restaurants and events is to guarantee a safe environment.

Godbee is also freeing up to 50 additional police officers per shift from desk jobs, replacing them with civilians so the cops can be out on the streets where they belong.

Crime remains a major obstacle to the city’s revival. Detroit posted 180 homicides by July 10, on a pace to 350 for the year, which would be the most in a decade.

So credit Godbee for being proactive.

On the other hand, the surveillance of an entire region of the city raises civil liberties questions that ought to be diligently explored.

It’s not clear whether all of the tapes from the security cameras will be kept and archived, or erased in a continuous loop.

Godbee says officers monitoring the cameras will be looking for wanted suspects. Trying to pick them out from a security camera image of a downtown street raises the real possibility of innocent citizens being abused in cases of mistaken identity.

The images captured by the cameras would be admissible in court if subpoenaed.

At the very least, the city should post signs throughout the surveillance area alerting visitors that they are being watched.

In addition, policies aimed at protecting privacy rights should be put in place, including requirements that tapes be erased if they show no evidence of criminal activity.

There should also be no broad data base of innocent citizens kept for future use by a facial recognition system.

Safeguards also must be taken to make sure officers don’t use the monitors as an excuse to harass law abiding citizens.

Surrendering so much privacy to the state requires a deep trust in government.

Detroit’s government, particularly the Police Department, has not fully regained the trust lost during the Kilpatrick years.

Godbee insists that the intent is not to invade anyone’s privacy, and we believe that’s the case.

But he should be on guard against unintentional invasions, and mindful of the great potential for abuse presented by this network of cameras.

We have all seen it, every day. When was the last time you were in a store and noticed on the overhead TV that they had you on camera? And on that TV you noticed that the resolution and clarity was so poor that you they could not possibly recognize anyone in the store. So you start staking the place out, looking at what you could get. Or you’re watching the local news and some gas station has caught a robbery on video but the video was so bad you wouldn’t even know if that was your mom robbing the place.

Being in the CCTV industry, we see this all the time. The customer wants the cheapest most affordable camera deal out there. The normal sales person does not want to belittle the customer’s decision, speak poorly about your low end products, or lose the sale, so they make sly comments like: “yeah, that’s a great camera” knowing that they are not going to see much with THAT thing.

Security cameras are not cheap, who thinks that they are? This devise captures video, converts that into a signal, transfers that signal to a “box” that can convert that signal back into video and displays it on a television. But its more than that, in most cases that “box” can convert that video back into a signal, sends that signal to a satellite in outer space, that signal comes back from outer space and down into your cell phone so you can watch your cameras while eating your lunch 100 miles away from the office. Does that sound like something you should be spending $99.95 on?

Let’s be very realistic, what are you trying to watch? Your home? Your business? Your Family? Your employees? These are all things that are very important to you and if something happens, you are going to want to know who, what, where, and how. The average camera installed is about $1,200, so a 4 camera system could cost you almost $5,000.00. Is your family, your business, your home worth that. The fact is you will save 10x’s that by avoiding your first robbery. Last year retail theft was estimated at around $33 billion, that’s a 33 with 9 zeros behind it! After Home Depot added security cameras to their stores, they saved an estimated of $170 thousand PER STORE in products that would have otherwise been stolen. That called a great ROI, Return On Investment. But………. They don’t have $99 camera system.

I couldn’t help but repost this blog I read. I love the fact that a drug dealer’s money went to something useful.  Also, it helps that I’m from Missouri and can probably guess what drug it was that was making this money. You never here about where the money from a $2M drug bust actually goes…

Convicted drug dealers in Macomb County are indirectly paying for new security cameras that have been installed in downtown Mount Clemens to help police patrolling the city and provide for a safer community.

The $70,000 cost of purchasing and installing three new surveillance cameras is coming from the Macomb County Sheriff’s drug forfeiture account, which is at $1 million county officials said at a news briefing on Wednesday.

“It’s their way of giving back to the community,” Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel said, half jokingly.

Dispatchers in the sheriff’s office are able to monitor downtown activity on one large monitor that contains four panels of camera footage. A zoom lens function allows them to zero in on the action and provides a clear enough image to read a license plate.

The cameras were erected in strategic locations including the Roskopp parking lot behind the Emerald Theatre, at Main Street and Macomb Place, and the parking lot behind Buffalo Wild Wings. Four more are planned by November.

Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said the cameras film 24 hours a day, seven days a week. That way, if something breaks out that escapes a dispatcher’s view, the footage can be reviewed at a later time.

“From a law enforcement perspective, we’re pretty much watching the downtown area from the dispatch center,” Wickersham said.

Mount Clemens Mayor Barb Dempsey said downtown business owners welcomed the additional layer of security because people coming into town will feel better knowing someone is watching out for them. The move will also free up deputies to work the city’s neighborhoods, she added.

“We are the entertainment capital of the east side,” Dempsey said. “We want people to come down at all hours of the day or evening and enjoy what we have to offer. We want them to feel comfortable and with this technology, they will feel comfortable.”

The surveillance cameras have the ability to rotate 360 degrees and can provide high resolution images, said Russell Kudela, operations center director for the Macomb County Roads Department.

Hackel, the former county sheriff, said he saw the potential for additional video surveillance after becoming the county executive at the start of the year when he visited the roads department and observed the department’s traffic signal camera system.

About 100 major intersections in Macomb County have cameras tied into the department’s dispatch center that help dictate the timing of the traffic lights. Those cameras can also be accessed by the sheriff’s office.

“You’ll be absolutely amazed at the technology,” Hackel said. “We’re trying to light up the city to make people feel safe. If you’re planning on committing a crime, now is not the time in Mount Clemens.”

I thought this was an interesting story. It just goes to show that even when you’re in the middle of nowhere in New Mexico, you can still be caught on camera. Security camera systems are great for keeping criminals and authorities in line… thanks, paranoid NM ranch owner.

Posted from NYDailyNews.com

A decorated New Mexico state police officer may lose his badge after security cameras allegedly caught him having sex on the hood of a car while on duty, according to local reports.

In still photos from the video, the officer is seen in full uniform standing between the legs of a woman lying on the hood of a black sedan. The car is not a police vehicle.

The officer and the woman were filmed by cameras posted at a remote ranch that is owned by Santa Fe County, local news station KOB reported Monday.

It’s unclear when the two were filmed. But it appears the only witness to the rendezvous was a Chihuahua.

KOB said it obtained the video from the Santa Fe Sheriff’s office on Monday after filing a request for public records two weeks ago.

State police officials said in a statement that the officer has been put on administrative leave.

WATCH VIDEO BELOW

“The internal affairs investigation is complete, now we are awaiting a final decision on any disciplinary action that could be taken,” state police said in a statement.

Meanwhile, New Mexico locals were calling for the officer’s badge.

“With that kind of judgment, you don’t want him carrying a weapon,” Albuquerque local Albert Loma told KOB. “I think it’s an embarrassment to the state patrol. They should be ashamed.”

“[It's an] inappropriate use of our tax money, I mean we pay these guys,” local resident Jacob Powers said.

Neither the officer nor the woman has been named.

But KOB identified the kinky cop as a former police officer of the year who once served on ex-Gov. Bill Richardson’s security detail.

The cop also busted a well-known criminal defendant in May who later escaped while officers were filling out paperwork. The suspect allegedly kidnapped and raped a woman before he was recaptured, police said.

Santa Fe County Sheriff Robert Garcia said that he would not press charges against the frisky officer and his paramour because it doesn’t appear any county laws were broken.

The two were not in public view and no one witnessed the act, Garcia said.

“I understand the public’s uproar in regards to something like this,” Garcia told Albuquerque’s KOAT television. “We can’t allow something like this to tarnish the entire law enforcement community.”

The times we live in seem to be filled with crime and we are always subject to more and more stories of criminal offences taking place. Sometimes there is a feeling that perhaps we will never be able to feel safe again. But this need not be the way you feel as there are many options open to a person to feel safer. A great example of this is outdoor security cameras which people can use as a tool in their security plan.

Ideally, outdoor security cameras should be just one facet of an overall security program and this philosophy works for the home or business. In order to make sure that the security program works to optimum levels, it is necessary to have a number of factors in place.

The best thing to do when deciding to put together a security plan is to make sure that you talk to people who are experts in the field of security. It is a good option to choose a local security firm that has in depth knowledge of the area in which your business or home is located. There are many instances in which local knowledge can give one the upper hand over criminals. For instance knowing what the broader community is like and whether there are criminal elements already present and then also understanding the local street layout, can both work well to your advantage.

If consultation with local security professionals is not possible there are many online security companies that can assist you in determining just the type of equipment that you will require. There are three elements to a good security program though and these include Monitoring, Deterrence and Capture.

Monitoring is the first element and refers to the act of surveillance on the area that is to be protected. Outdoor security cameras play a vital role here. Given that they are small and not readily visible, it means that those under surveillance will act in a normal way and this could help to ensure that the thought of committing a crime is identified before it takes place. For this aspect to be most effective, it is very important to ensure that live video is being monitored. But whether you have live monitoring or not the cameras should also be recorded for later evidence if a crime is committed.

The second element is that of deterrence and this is perhaps the most crucial as these measures would aim to stop the criminal act before it happened. Deterrence measures would include things such as fences, visible security cameras, surveillance warning signs and even visible guards if this was deemed necessary.

The final item on the check list is capture and this is probably the least attractive element as it means that a crime has already taken place. The chances of apprehending criminals depend on the ability to respond quickly when an alarm is raised. As a result, it is recommended that your system is connected to the police or a security firm. This means that they can respond quickly and will have a better chance of catching the criminals.

These elements make up what most would consider to be a very good security strategy. Outdoor security cameras are a very important element of this strategy and even more so if one wants to prevent crimes from taking place. The only concern with these devices is the possible implications of entering someone’s privacy, but if it is one’s own home or business then this won’t apply.

A home security digital camera or collection of cameras can be a wonderful addition to an already effective home safety system. A home security camera is used for quite a lot of purposes. The first function is to act as a visual deterrent to would be burglars. In most cases, having a home security digicam or a number of cameras put in in your property is likely to discourage a possible burglar. For most homeowners convincing them a home security camera can be beneficial is not the problem. The problem is convincing them that buying a security digital camera isn’t as overwhelming as it seems. This article will supply tips for choosing the right home safety digicam for your needs.

One of many first facets of home security cameras or digicam to consider is whether or not you’ll use a wireless home security system or one that requires connection to a power source. There are lots of security digicam options which might be wireless. This implies the digicam doesn’t should be connected to an exterior energy provide and there is no want for wires. Nevertheless, the digicam still requires a supply of energy which is commonly an inner battery. A wireless home security digital camera may be simpler to install because there is no wiring however it can be more difficult to take care of as a result of the batteries might have to be changed or recharged frequently.

The location of your home safety digital camera should also be thought-about earlier than you make your purchase. Generally, a home security digital camera is put in outdoors. This requires several considerations. Safety of your camera from the weather parts may be very important. It’s best to choose a home security digital camera that is designed to work properly in your environment. You must also think about where you wish to set up the camera. To successfully deter a burglar, the home security digital camera needs to be put in in location of excessive visibility as a result of burglars will not be deterred if they don’t see the home security camera. This may have an effect on your purchase because you’ll want to select a home safety digicam that will be easily put in within the desired location.

Lastly, it is best to decide how you want to file the photographs out of your home safety camera. The recordings out of your home security camera could be recorded in a variety of methods together with on video tapes, DVDs and in your computer. You must determine which method you need to use before purchasing a home security camera to make sure the camera you select is appropriate with your technique of recording.

There are various options obtainable for those who want to buy a home security camera. All of those options can seem overwhelming and should intimidate some homeowners from making a purchase. It is very important remember that careful analysis will make the purchase of a home safety camera a much easier process

More popular than ever, ghost hunting is an adrenaline rush unlike any other. Some required equipment for ghost hunting is a voice recorder for EVP’s, a flashlight, and definitely a camera.  The difference between amateur ghost hunters and professional ghost hunters is similar to professional sports. Experience is the basis for the pro’s choice for surveillance cameras and DVR’s.

Full spectrum cameras are ideal for handheld use and are designed to accompany hunters on their person. The theory behind full spectrum cameras is that they will catch paranormal activity at wavelengths the human eye cannot detect. Good quality full spectrum cameras can be pricey and require some research/practice.

IR security cameras are used to monitor the test area. Easily place them in high activity areas so you can watch and record remotely. Infrared cameras allow you to view in complete darkness because of the IR illuminators. You must have a power source to operate. The best and most cost-effective IR cameras are wired. Wired IR cameras provide a higher quality image and can be more reliable as well as cheaper. Most pros go with wired over wireless because wireless cameras still have to plugged in via wires, despite the name. You should also consider purchasing an outdoor or weather resistant IR surveillance camera. IR and full spectrum cameras available here…

DVR’s or digital video recorders have increased in quality and decreased in price over the last few years. DVR’s are a must have for capturing and maintaining evidence from your ghost hunt. A DVR can also record audio and can be used in conjunction with surveillance cameras to provide even more in-depth analysis. Buy your DVR here…

A high megapixel digital camera can prove to be valuable to the professional hunter. High quality, high resolution cameras can help hunters analyze photos precisely and adjust lighting/settings to dig deeper into their research. The standard is to have a camera with 5+ megapixels, Sony is a popular brand. You can buy a quality digital camera at most retail stores.

Motion detection devices are another big purchase for professional ghost hunters. Motion detection systems come in handy when working in areas that might have wild animals and allow you to be  more safe on your hunt. Many ghost hunters use motion detection systems to support evidence from the surveillance cameras and audio recorders. Motion detection systems are dropping in price and are available here…