L.A. Times: Lancaster, PA, security cameras monitored by unregulated volunteers. Creepy!

[gauguin57]

In the city of Lancaster, PA, in the heart of Amish country, lots of security cameras are being installed. They'll be monintored by staff and volunteers for a nonprofit group that's not government-regulated. They'll operate under a set of "ethical guidelines" written by one city councilman. Good grief! What kinds of WACKOS might "volunteer" to watch people come in and out of their houses? I live just outside Lancaster, and I had to read the L.A. Times Web site to learn of this. CREEPY. Don't let them do this in your towns, people.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-spycam-city21-2009jun21,0,4840616,full.story

Lancaster, Pa., keeps a close eye on itself

By Bob Drogin
L.A. Times
June 21, 2009

Reporting from Lancaster, Pa. ... Some 165 closed-circuit TV cameras soon will provide live, round-the-clock scrutiny of nearly every street, park and other public space used by the 55,000 residents and the town's many tourists. That's more outdoor cameras than are used by many major cities, including San Francisco and Boston. Unlike anywhere else, cash-strapped Lancaster outsourced its surveillance to a private nonprofit group that hires civilians to tilt, pan and zoom the cameras -- and to call police if they spot suspicious activity. No government agency is directly involved.

... Mary Catherine Roper, staff attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, says the coalition's role as a self-appointed, self-policed gatekeeper for blanket surveillance of an entire city is unique.

"This is the first time, the only time, I've heard of it anywhere," she said. "It is such a phenomenally bad idea that it is stunning to me."

She said the coalition structure provides no public oversight or accountability, and may be exempt from state laws governing release of public records. ...

[KittyWampus]

1. so rather than have police on the beat and citizens looking out for each other... they choose THIS?

[gauguin57]

2. I truly believe few people in Lancaster understand about this nonprofit group.

I have read the LOCAL newspaper stories about this, and never got that impression. The L.A. Times has pointed out stuff our local papers haven't.

I'm not so sure folks would CHOOSE this if they knew what was happening.

[rcrush]

3. WTF

They are going to have cameras watching peoples HOUSES?!! Someone in that town needs to go around and throw rocks at those cameras.

[KansDem]

4. "Neighborhood Watch"

...outsourced its surveillance to a private nonprofit group that hires civilians to tilt, pan and zoom the cameras -- and to call police if they spot suspicious activity. No government agency is directly involved.

Carried to an extreme!

[kestrel91316]

5. Staffed by stalkers, pedophiles, and burglary rings, no doubt.

[Skittles]

8. yup

they'll zero in on a lovely lass who lives alone and study her habits - it's a stalker / rapist's dream

[JerseygirlCT]

6. Oh my goodness

Many ties to Lancaster - we're there often.

This is very, very disturbing. So some self-appointed vigilantes, using a code of conduct they've decided on, will now be policing just about everyone all the time?

This is a terrible idea!

[gauguin57]

7. YAY! Lancaster's security cameras made Keith Olbermann's "Worst Persons"!!

So very proud.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqorZkUBh-8

[TXDemGal]

9. WTF?? Is this eastern Pennsylvania

or East Berlin? Shades of Stasi. :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: :thumbsdown: