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Winthrop heads back to 1984

By Brett on Mon, 12/15/2008 - 12:50pm

Brookline residents are fighting back against invasive video surveillance, but David B. Goldstein, police chief of Winthrop, can't understand why- and in standard security theater style:

"This is some of the price all of us to have pay for living in a free society, but a threatened society,"

I thought the price you pay for living in a free society is the possibility that someone may use the freedom you enjoy to hurt you.

Robert "Semper Fi" Dunford claims:

"There was no debate in Boston [...] Obviously, there are some people who look at it as an invasion of privacy, but we're not looking at anything that's not already public."

There was no debate in Boston because Bostonians weren't given a choice in the matter. As for "anything that's not already public", well- ain't it funny how that works, Mr. Dunford?

Reminders: the UK Police Chiefs think they're a waste of money, and London has 10,000 cameras and can't solve 80% of its reported crimes. You'd think US police chiefs and mayors would listen; after all, the UK reportedly has 4 million CCTV cameras and use of the cameras has been widespread for 15 years there, so it would be fair to call them experts.

Neighborhoods: 
Brookline
Topics: 
Crime
Free tagging: 
privacy


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Comments

By Anonymous on Mon, 12/15/2008 - 4:22pm.

I thought the price you pay for living in a free society is the possibility that someone may use the freedom you enjoy to hurt you.

Yeah, I have problem with

  • profuse use of surveillance cameras by law enforcement,
  • wiretapping voice communications without probable cause
  • tracking us citizens’ www activity without a warrant
  • police using Tasers to compel behavior. It amounts to torture. Their sidearm is to be used only defensively. Their Tasers are used offensively, to compel behavior.

Taser devices are not considered firearms by the U.S. government. They can be legally carried (concealed or open) without a permit in 43 states. They are prohibited for citizen use in the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and Wisconsin, as well as in certain cities and counties. Their use in Connecticut and Illinois is legal with restrictions

Taser International claims that Tasers are safe, but critics disagree, citing the number of deaths occurring after Taser use. Amnesty International has documented over 245 deaths that occurred after the use of Tasers, although not one of these deaths have been attributed to electrocution. Amnesty International Canada and other civil liberties organizations have argued that a moratorium should be placed on Taser use until research can determine a way for them to be safely used

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By anon on Tue, 12/16/2008 - 10:10pm.

I'm no Bushie but there are too many people out there who need a wakeup call about law enforcement.

You're worried about too many surveillance cameras? Get real. Because local police departments really have the resources to watch cameras 24/7. They don't have the manpower or the money. And even if they did, get over your paranoia. I'm sure the BPD is really tracking you on your daily drive to 7-11 every day.

Worried about wiretapping audio without probable cause? Why don't you read up on MA law before getting all bent out of shape.

Tracking citizen's activities without a warrant? See above. If police are interested in you, there's probably a reason and we're lucky they do follow you. But, again, police departments do not have the resources to waste their time following anybody around. Get a clue.

Tasers? You've seen one too many you-tube videos. Why don't you spend 6 months following a cop around whose job it is to put his life on the line every day and confront people who are the worst of the worst. Cops all too frequently get a bum rap.

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