CCTV cameras with loud speakers on them

[legionreturns]

So in todays news there was a lot of discussion about these new cameras piloted in Middlesborough...not a million miles from me. Apparently the plan is now to roll them out to 20 other towns / cities across the UK. Essentially they do what a normal CCTV camera does except that the people monitoring them can activate a loud speaker and rant at people for doing antisocial / criminal things.

According to the Middlesborough Council they have been very succesful during the pilot and people have responded to them well

(EG "You there in the hoody! Pick that can up that you just dropped and put it in the bin, there is one 50 yards behind you!")

No hard facts seem to have been presented but a lot of anecdotal evidence (Always worries me that! Makes me think they have no hard proof of success but want to run  with it anyway!)

In my mind, this will only encourage the ASBO generation and give them new badges of honour to strive for, whilst at the same time create another noise pollutant for those unfortunate enough to live in or near a town centre. I have visions of gangs of kids daring each other to piss in the street whilst flicking Vee's at the camera while somebody rants at them...but maybe I believe too much media hype!

What do others think?

Chris

[Ryan]

Disgusting. Already we're the most spied upon country in the world, and the government are approving plans to subdue us even further with a real life big brother scenario? No thanks.
But what can we do about it here in the peaceful UK. It's not like we're the United States or anything...

[welshguy22]

Yes, it is disgusting.The thought of being spied on most of the day while u' in the open air just makes me shiver cos if the government can find u then any1 can. I suppose there would be more jobs available though; watching the cctv footage and shouting through a microphone at any1 who drop litter on the floor. Having no privacy, it's like being stuck in a cage really isn't it?

[Philosobassist]

watching the cctv footage and shouting through a microphone at any1 who drop litter on the floor.

But of course one could feel more secure with increased surveillance. It's not like littering is the only problem on the streets...

Also I think that while we are on public territory they have a right to survey us, just as you have CCTV in shops for thieves. It's not like they want cameras in peoples' houses, that would be weird...

[Welsh-Angel]

I think its a good idea as far as security and littereing is concerned, being it is more successful than a normal camera it stops things straight away from people littering to playing on the road. I wouldn't think it was an invasion of privacy because there are plenty of people on the street always, your never really alone. If they set them up in a toilet or a changing room fair enough it can be accussed as perverted.

[Philosobassist]

I think its a good idea as far as security and littereing is concerned, being it is more successful than a normal camera it stops things straight away from people littering to playing on the road. I wouldn't think it was an invasion of privacy because there are plenty of people on the street always, your never really alone. If they set them up in a toilet or a changing room fair enough it can be accussed as perverted.

Exactly. As long as they're in the streets, where many eyes will see you anyway, it's hardly an 'invasion'.

[legionreturns]

We have wandered off topic here a but, the debate wasn't about the number of cameras, it's the fact that they are going to start putting loudspeakers on top of them and shouting at people who are naughty. As I said in my opening, I think this will just present new challenges to those that like to cause trouble (I dare ya! etc) and just annoy the rest of us with noise pollution.

[Philosobassist]

We have wandered off topic here a but, the debate wasn't about the number of cameras, it's the fact that they are going to start putting loudspeakers on top of them and shouting at people who are naughty. As I said in my opening, I think this will just present new challenges to those that like to cause trouble (I dare ya! etc) and just annoy the rest of us with noise pollution.

But if it's more noise pollution and less actual pollution, I'll gladly make that sacrifice.

[Welsh-Angel]

i doubt there would be a lot of noise

[Philosobassist]

i doubt there would be a lot of noise

True...even better then!

[Gantidge]

It doesn't make a difference whether they have loudspeakers on them or not. They don't cause any law-abiders any harm do they? It's not like they sit in offices laughing at the footage.
I don't really think that loudspeakers will do anything anyway, as many CCTV cameras are too far away for any realistic noise to carry that far.

Yes it's Big Brother. But for those like me that follow the law, I really don't care. We only have a right to privacy in our own property anyway.

Also I think that while we are on public territory they have a right to survey us, just as you have CCTV in shops for thieves. It's not like they want cameras in peoples' houses, that would be weird...

[Philosobassist]

I don't really think that loudspeakers will do anything anyway, as many CCTV cameras are too far away for any realistic noise to carry that far.

Depends where you are and on the surroundings...think about the megaphones at fetes, or the tannoy at supermarkets and sports centres. That overcomes the noise of multitudes of people quite well.

[Welsh-Angel]

I would say it was only making a bit of a difference, still it's a good idea. They may set up new cctv with the speakers. If people didn't break the law we wouldn't need cctv.

I think it could frighten you because you litter or something then you hear "oi!, i saw that, put it in the bin" and i think it be quite amusing.

[Philosobassist]

Then, again it's not the most practical idea. It would take at least one person to monitor each camera, so they couldn't really have them in very many places.

[Gantidge]

You could play music through it to scare people too. Some really violent song to scare off boozing chavs. Potential for lots of hidden camera pranks, even if that's completely not the purpose for CCTV.