Big Brother Is Shouting At You

[Snoopis]

Big Brother Is Shouting At You

Big Brother is not only watching you - now he's barking orders too. Britain's first 'talking' CCTV cameras have arrived, publicly berating bad behaviour and shaming offenders into acting more responsibly.

The system allows control room operators who spot any anti-social acts - from dropping litter to late-night brawls - to send out a verbal warning: 'We are watching you'.

Middlesbrough has fitted loudspeakers on seven of its 158 cameras in an experiment already being hailed as a success. Jack Bonner, who manages the system, said: 'It is one hell of a deterrent. It's one thing to know that there are CCTV cameras about, but it's quite another when they loudly point out what you have just done wrong.

'Most people are so ashamed and embarrassed at being caught they quickly slink off without further trouble.

'There was one incident when two men started fighting outside a nightclub. One of the control room operators warned them over the loudspeakers and they looked up, startled, stopped fighting and scarpered in opposite directions.

'This isn't about keeping tabs on people, it's about making the streets safer for the law-abiding majority and helping to change the attitudes of those who cause trouble. It challenges unacceptable behaviour and makes people think twice.'

The Mail on Sunday watched as a cyclist riding through a pedestrian area was ordered to stop.

'Would the young man on the bike please get off and walk as he is riding in a pedestrian area,' came the command.

The surprised youth stopped, and looked about. A look of horror spread across his face as he realised the voice was referring to him.

He dismounted and wheeled his bike through the crowded streets, as instructed.

Law-abiding shopper Karen Margery, 40, was shocked to hear the speakers spring into action as she walked past them.

Afterwards she said: 'It's quite scary to realise that your every move could be monitored - it really is like Big Brother.

'But Middlesbrough does have a big problem with anti-social behaviour, so it is very reassuring.'

The scheme has been introduced by Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon, a former police superintendent who was dubbed Robocop for pioneering the zero-tolerance approach to crime.

He believes the talking cameras will dramatically cut not just anti-social behaviour, but violent crime, too.

And if the city centre scheme proves a success, it will be extended into residential areas.

The control room operators have been given strict guidelines about what commands they can give. Yelling 'Oi you, stop that', is not permitted.

Instead, their instructions make the following suggestions: 'Warning - you are being monitored by CCTV - Warning - you are in an alcohol-free zone, please refrain from drinking'; and Warning - your behaviour is being monitored by CCTV. It is being recorded and the police are attending.'

Mr Bonner said: 'We always make the requests polite, and if the offender obeys, the operator adds 'thank you'. We think that's a nice finishing touch.

'It would appear that the offenders are the only ones who find the audio cameras intrusive. The vast majority of people welcome these cameras.

'Put it this way, we never have requests to remove them.'

But civil rights campaigners have argued that the talking cameras are no 'magic bullet', in the fight against crime.

Liberty spokesman Doug Jewell said: 'None of us likes litterbugs or yobs playing up on a Saturday night, but talking CCTV cameras are no substitute for police officers on the beat.'

[JBDW]

Time for the Guy Fawkes' masks, folks.

[Jeremy1]

Originally Posted by Snoopis

Big Brother Is Shouting At You

Big Brother is not only watching you - now he's barking orders too. Britain's first 'talking' CCTV cameras have arrived, publicly berating bad behaviour and shaming offenders into acting more responsibly.

The system allows control room operators who spot any anti-social acts - from dropping litter to late-night brawls - to send out a verbal warning: 'We are watching you'.

Middlesbrough has fitted loudspeakers on seven of its 158 cameras in an experiment already being hailed as a success. Jack Bonner, who manages the system, said: 'It is one hell of a deterrent. It's one thing to know that there are CCTV cameras about, but it's quite another when they loudly point out what you have just done wrong.

'Most people are so ashamed and embarrassed at being caught they quickly slink off without further trouble.

'There was one incident when two men started fighting outside a nightclub. One of the control room operators warned them over the loudspeakers and they looked up, startled, stopped fighting and scarpered in opposite directions.

'This isn't about keeping tabs on people, it's about making the streets safer for the law-abiding majority and helping to change the attitudes of those who cause trouble. It challenges unacceptable behaviour and makes people think twice.'

The Mail on Sunday watched as a cyclist riding through a pedestrian area was ordered to stop.

'Would the young man on the bike please get off and walk as he is riding in a pedestrian area,' came the command.

The surprised youth stopped, and looked about. A look of horror spread across his face as he realised the voice was referring to him.

He dismounted and wheeled his bike through the crowded streets, as instructed.

Law-abiding shopper Karen Margery, 40, was shocked to hear the speakers spring into action as she walked past them.

Afterwards she said: 'It's quite scary to realise that your every move could be monitored - it really is like Big Brother.

'But Middlesbrough does have a big problem with anti-social behaviour, so it is very reassuring.'

The scheme has been introduced by Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon, a former police superintendent who was dubbed Robocop for pioneering the zero-tolerance approach to crime.

He believes the talking cameras will dramatically cut not just anti-social behaviour, but violent crime, too.

And if the city centre scheme proves a success, it will be extended into residential areas.

The control room operators have been given strict guidelines about what commands they can give. Yelling 'Oi you, stop that', is not permitted.

Instead, their instructions make the following suggestions: 'Warning - you are being monitored by CCTV - Warning - you are in an alcohol-free zone, please refrain from drinking'; and Warning - your behaviour is being monitored by CCTV. It is being recorded and the police are attending.'

Mr Bonner said: 'We always make the requests polite, and if the offender obeys, the operator adds 'thank you'. We think that's a nice finishing touch.

'It would appear that the offenders are the only ones who find the audio cameras intrusive. The vast majority of people welcome these cameras.

'Put it this way, we never have requests to remove them.'

But civil rights campaigners have argued that the talking cameras are no 'magic bullet', in the fight against crime.

Liberty spokesman Doug Jewell said: 'None of us likes litterbugs or yobs playing up on a Saturday night, but talking CCTV cameras are no substitute for police officers on the beat.'

As you well know, what happens in Europe/Great Britain, eventually happens here.
Have fun!

[xer0xed]

Oh dear! You guys are ridiculous! This is perfectly fine... it is legal after all -- the judges say so! Nothing to see here folks, time to move on.

Lieutenant... bring in the microwave devices!




Remember, remember
The Fifth of November
The gunpowder, treason, and plot
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

[maori-rap]

Okay, it does sound like another step towards totalitariansim, but if it HELPS to cut crime then I'm not really complaining yet. You may be watched by monitors all day, but if your not doing anything wrong then theres no need to be alarmed or feel nervous. There are dangerous, violent people out there who NEED monitoring fullstop, if these measures help prevent potential crimes then there hardly a bad thing. There is much worse **** to be complaining about in this country..immigration, taxes, house prices, gangs of youths carrying weapons etc..

Put it this way, trying to control 60+ mil in a country considerabley smaller than most US states isn't exactly easy. The government will make moves like this to control its populous.

[Snoopis]

The problem is that what is legal today may not be legal tomorrow. See my sig.

Also, you have to understand that when you give them an inch, they will take a mile. It's the natural progression of power and government. It will not stop here.

[xer0xed]

What's sad is so many people don't even care. They're just selling us all out to complete control.

[NuggzTheNinja]

Here's where the fun starts:

.22 rifle and some CB rounds: $200
Ski masks: $10
Spray paint for your license plate: $5

Driving around town shooting out every CCTV camera you can find: priceless.

[Diesel66]

Arm the miltia, oh wait UK is already disarmed.

[Skwidward]

Originally Posted by NuggzTheNinja

Here's where the fun starts:

.22 rifle and some CB rounds: $200
Ski masks: $10
Spray paint for your license plate: $5

Driving around town shooting out every CCTV camera you can find: priceless.

Ha...Thing is, once you shoot out one, that's it....you're on TV....blacked out number plate or not, you will be watched untill you are caught. Plus, I think the jail time in the UK for having an illegal gun is pretty steep.....25 years or something.

It won't be long before these cameras are saying, "I am now authorized to use physical force...."

[Skwidward]

Originally Posted by Diesel66

Arm the miltia, oh wait UK is already disarmed.

The people who do work over there (pay taxes and carry the rest of the country) are too **** scared to say or do anything for fear of being labeled anti-something, old fashioned, stuck up, non-progressive, racist, elitest etc., or scared of being attacked by scum that they just keep their trap shut.

The rest (well almost) don't give a **** (for now) as long as they keep getting a free ride and as long as load mouth kids still intimidate everyone. They are happy to reign supreme.

The few, the 'upper class' (and Americans, 'upper class' is not living in the suburbs, driving an Escalade, and shopping at Target -that's 'middle class'), the ones who are having to take it up the arse these days, have lost any power they once had. The plebs seem to be free to show their true colors.

These people, the free loaders, the chavs, are the descendents of the people sent to the front lines by the 'upper class' to establish the British Empire. With their bloodlines, no wonder they are so aggresive and spend all their time fighting, drinking, not working etc. Their 'talents' are not being put to good use.

I love and miss England, but it really is in a sorry state. Don't get me wrong. I don't have a remedy or even any suggestions. I'm just glad I now live in the US. At least, it is big enough so you don't have to feel like a caged rat. Oh yeah....and the whole gun thing.... I am just blown away by the San Francisco deal. I know there are many many places where such pissing on the constitution would not fly.

[NuggzTheNinja]

Originally Posted by Skwidward

Ha...Thing is, once you shoot out one, that's it....you're on TV....blacked out number plate or not, you will be watched untill you are caught. Plus, I think the jail time in the UK for having an illegal gun is pretty steep.....25 years or something.

It won't be long before these cameras are saying, "I am now authorized to use physical force...."

Not if you take the shots from the trunk of your car like the DC sniper.

[Skwidward]

Originally Posted by NuggzTheNinja

Not if you take the shots from the trunk of your car like the DC sniper.

I guess you could if you shot it from an out-of-camera-shot angle. I don't know why I was thinking you'd have to be 'in shot' to shoot the cameras out.

Be a bit stupid really if you were in shot for every camera shoot-down, The cops would be like, "Run that tape back to just before the camera went out.....ok....now run that one back......now that one......aha! Its the same bloody red Ford escort with the blacked out number plate in each shot just before the camera went out. Where's he at now?"

"He's heading north bound on the M1 (or whatever)"

"Aha...got him!"

[bigwilly501]

I like to see what is going to happen with this