Lancaster, PA: the most spied-upon town in America
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.Lancaster, Pa., keeps a close eye on itself (Thanks, Timothy!)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 Pat Donnellon, head of Mission Research, a local software company, vowed to move if she finds one on her block. "I don't want to live like that," she said. "I'm not afraid. And I don't need to be under surveillance."
"No one has the right to know who goes in and out my front door," agreed David Mowrer, a laborer for a company that supplies quarry pits. "That's my business. That's not what America is about."...
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.
"When I hear people off the street can come in and apply to watch the camera on my street, now I'm terrified," she added. "That could be my nosy neighbor, or my stalker ex-boyfriend, or a burglar stalking my home."
Jack Bauer, owner of the city's largest beer and soft drink distributor, calls the network "a great thing." His store hasn't been robbed, he said, since four cameras went up nearby. "There's nothing wrong with instilling fear," he said.
the latest
latest episodes
"a private nonprofit group that hires civilians"
will they call it the Basiji?
Jack Bauer? o_0
The guy they found in favor of overreaching governmental actions intruding on the public's rights is named JACK BAUER?
I like this reporter.
Is it just me that finds it rather disturbing that a comment "There's nothing wrong with instilling fear" is made as some form of justification for this?
Cue idiotic "nothing to hide" comment in 3...2...1...
If we were all full of fear all of the time, what a wonderful world it would be, right? Nothing bad could ever possibly come out of this.
No, no Cory - thank you!
Takuan - What's wrong with a private, non-profit group hiring civilians? Who should they hire?
That a private, non-private group is doing the work of the government IS disturbing, but that they hire civilians is to be expected IMHO. Government workers, you know, work for the government...
HOTPEPPERMAN - In a traffic court case a few years ago I admitted that "I drive differently when I see a police car" (I stop longer at signs, I slow down to well under the speed limit, etc.), and the Prosecutor nearly lost it - he couldn't believe I said that and started to attack me - till the judge stepped in and corrected the prosecutor, noting that most people behave exactly the same way, and that I had admitted to nothing wrong.
Many things instill fear to force correct behavior - didn't your mom ever say "You'll poke your eye out"?
we know where this leads
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxJfwpeqzIk&feature=related
'That's not what America is about...'
but it is the UK and other countries that do use surveillance? I laugh at the times when people declare that their country is not what they thought it was. Jack Bauer saying there's nothing wrong with instilling fear doesn't surprise me.
So, this is what post CTU Jack Bauer is doing these days.
I've seen a lot of statistics about how cameras don't cut down crime (and now living in Britain I believe it), but does anyone know if the rate of convictions has changed? I've never seen convictions statistics and I've been wondering about that since I moved here.
Let me guess this is all an attempt to curtail the Amish Crime Syndicate?
"There's nothing wrong with instilling fear,"
There is nothing more to say except possibly to whimper.
Does anyone else find it suspicious that they quote a "Jack Bauer"?
I think someone is having a little fun with us.
I've always been intrigued by the idea of open cameras - where all video is public; both live and archived. Kind of a real time google street view.
What was that Brin story where everyone wore personal heads up displays and streamed live video?
"Those who are law-abiding citizens, they don't have anything to worry about.""
Its a perfect mix of self-righteousness and ignorance that allows people think that the only people who ever have anything to hide are law breakers and the evil.
I was just there. Next time I go, I'm going to prominently pick my nose and do other noxious but perfectly legal things.
Anyone find it ironic that this is in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country -- among the Amish, whose beliefs are against getting their photos taken?
If I lived in that community I think I would have a strong urge to do all kinds of non illegal things.
Run errands with a ski mask: go to the grocery store, bank, local businesses. There isn't anything illegal about wearing a ski mask to keep your face from getting cold. Especially if I felt uncomfortable being videotaped everywhere I go.
Or maybe meandering through the park in a drunken manner, but stone cold sober.
Keep those voyuers tracking my every move on their toes.
"There's nothing wrong with instilling fear."
I almost threw up when I read that. Please tell me there's a way to get him fired.
Jack Bauer? Really? I'm not arguing, he's one tough dude.
Seriously though, don't these people read, or are they so paranoid they have to watch everyone going about their business? Maybe they should have listening devices placed in every home too. Y'know, just in case someone has an accident. Oh, and breed all the cats and dogs white so they don't get lost. And get your spouse and kids chipped.
lackofgravitas
165 cameras is more than they have in San Francisco or Boston? I find that incredibly hard to believe.
Note to self: Add Lancaster to the list of places I will never go.
If it's not a government agency, does that mean it's just a simple misdemeanor "destruction of private property" violation to go around smashing them all?
Problem solved, IMO.
'THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH INSTILLING FEAR?' WTF???!!!!
yeah you all will be thinking these are some paranoial rants until you wake up one morning and have to tell a box mounted into your living room wall what you plan to do that day.
It's getting closer and closer.
"there's nothing wrong with instilling fear..."
Uh.... other than, you're instilling fear. In normal, everyday people. What a horrifying idea. I bet this lasts right up until the first Lancaster official is caught stepping out on their significant other...
I'm wondering how the "nonprofit group" is going to pay for the system. Do they get to keep all the proceeds from any blackmail info they turn up?
Dibs on the camera trained on the mayors house.
"Nothing wrong with instilling fear"
Isn't that terrorism? Silly me, I thought we were being told terrorism = bad? So if there is nothing wrong with terrorizing (instilling fear), then WTF?
This confuses the hell outta me.
I live, work, and make art in Lancaster, and this is horribly disturbing. Public surveillance is bullshit enough, but to have a private "coalition" hiring private individuals to do the monitoring is even worse.
Despite the presence of a camera on the same corner I lived on, my roommate had his bike stolen from our front porch, and his car broken into. Not to mention the periodic fights and drug deals that went down outside. And that was in the heart of the "investment district."
@Timothy Hutton: They should hire police officers. Men and women who submit to background checks and have their names listed in public records. I want to know more AT LEAST as much about my voyeur as he/she knows about me. There is a system (however ineffective) to ensure that police officers behave safely, ethically, and constitutionally. What system is in place to ensure that the anonymous employees of the LCSC behave safely, ethically, or constitutionally?
Secondly, just because your mother uses fear to keep you away from dangerous things doesn't mean my government should. If you treat citizens like children (as per your argument), they will behave as such. Compliance through fear is coercion, and that's not democracy. If you only drive safely because you're afraid you'll get caught, then you're a horrible person.
@12: Actually, two of Lancaster's biggest cocaine dealers in recent history were Amish. Also, if you consider animal abuse, child abuse, and incest crimes, and a group that covers them up and works to keep committing them a "syndicate," then yes, there is an Amish crime syndicate.
@27: The group themselves is nonprofit, but a member of the Lancaster Community Safety Coalition (the group who set this up) is from Bosch Securities. No confirmation yet, but I wouldn't be surprised if Bosch was the company who installed the equipment and infrastructure. I wonder if they did that pro bono?
Lisa Fairman
"Safety" Coalition, Vice Chair - screamed at her "ex" boyfriend
March 15, 2008
"STOP - HIT ME!" That's what Mrs. Lisa Fairman, 44 - Lancaster Community "Safety" Coalition, Vice Chair - screamed at her "ex" boyfriend, Lancaster city Planning Commissioner, Sam Wilsker, as he violently assaulted her new boyfriend.
The pre-Thanksgiving attack resulted in Wilsker being arraigned for simple assault and criminal trespass and then being released on bail during his waived preliminary hearing held on February 7, 2008.
Mrs. Fairman is at the center of this "violent" (her words) attack. She is currently divorcing her husband of 12 years, and is now back in the arms of Wilsker, who punched her NOW ex-boyfriend "dozens of times" according the Criminal Complaint filed by the West Hempfield Township Police!
Perp Walk We put "safety" in quotes given that the organization of which Fairman is an officer has the stated goal of "...reducing crime and increasing perceived safety."
Perceived safety?! The "Safety" Coalition Vice-Chair and the mother of two, showed up at Wilsker's preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge Bob Herman and greeted the man she was prepared to testify against with a welcome "peck" in the waiting room of the local court! Fairman waited for Wilsker while he was being arraigned by the judge and placed on bail by the judge. Afterwards, the two exited the Columbia courthouse together.
Professionally, Wilsker holds a Pennsylvania Real Estate license and works for a company owned by developer John Meeder. Wilsker has some difficult choices to make. Is he going to resign from the City Planning Commission? Amazingly Wilsker, 30 years old, is also on Lancaster County Transportation Coordinating Committee! Will Wilsker also resign from the county committee as well? 5thEstate.com caught up with Wilsker at the February 6, City Planning Commission meeting and asked about the attack. Wilsker, whose victim sustained a concussion, swelling, bruising and dizziness was not a tough guy in front of 5thEstate.com's camera and responded by putting his head down and saying "Nothing" in response to what he was going to do about the pending criminal trial.
The police orginally charged Wilsker with harassment but because of the extent of the injuries, the charges were "upped" to Simple Assault and Criminal Trespass. Wilsker's lawyer has already made inquired to get an "ARD" or Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition - basically a "beat-one-person-up-and-get-away-with-it" card.
(Editor's note: So many people are downloading the following file that the server is bombing out! Try it again and the link will work. Sorry for the problem!) Click here to read the redacted criminal complaint, which hides the victim's name.
"Five attorneys at Barley Snyder LLC have been named Pennsylvania Super Lawyer Rising Stars by Law & Politics, the publishers of Super Lawyers magazines in 16 states. Receiving the honor are Salvatore Anastasi, James E. Chiaruttini, Daniel M. Lieberman, Paul W. Minnich and John T. Reed."
This is a very expensive surveillance system designed to guard a very controversial public/private development project in the center city. I'd certainly like to know who is paying for it.
I was born in Lancaster and moved away as soon as I could. The combination of racism and lust for money was just too much to tolerate.
Maybe the Amish could stop it. Their religion forbids their being photographed.
g.park shot back with:
To which I remind him, I said:
I don't think private firms should be doing this, but if a private firm is doing this, all they can hire are "civilians."
Also, if you want to know as much about the "voyeur" as he does about you, then you should ask that a camera be trained on the "voyeur" and a display added next to each camera, so the watched can see the watcher pick his nose...
As to mothers, I never mentioned my mother, I made a reference to a common admonishment used by countless parents around the world and drew a parallel to what the fellow in the article said.
To be pedantic, I was asking HOTPEPPERMAN about his mother - not mine and not yours.
g.park asserted:
So I can obey the law and STILL be a horrible person? Didn't they call that a "thoughtcrime" in 1984?
@15:
I think that was a section in "Earth," where the elderly hang out in parks with surveillance gear and report any youth gangs who run afoul of them.
But more to the point, the entire situation is actually right in line with Brin's theories on a "transparent society" (check Brin's website for a lot more). It's an interesting idea to examine in the context of sci-fi, but perfectly chilling to see it implemented in real life.
@35:
The law doesn't have a "unless you don't think you'll get caught" clause. If you're speeding, you're not obeying the law, regardless of who's watching.
A good society is one where the populace is encouraged to act correctly regardless of who's watching. A surveillance system only encourages the "just don't get caught" mentality. As reported by the SF Chronicle, and blogged by boingboing, the panopticon does not change behavior, only relocates it.
To use the speeding example again- you should obey speed limits because you don't want to kill anyone- not because fines are a hassle. If we're teaching people that a ticket is the only consequence of speeding, we're teaching them the wrong lesson.
The cameras are in public areas - right? If so, then you'd expect someone to be watching - who cares if it's a camera? I do think it's a waste of money and time. I've been told here in other posts about camera surveillience that this doesn't help stop or solve crimes.
Has anybody thought of using a black magic marker to darken the lens of any camera they can reach (hint: taping it to a stick will let you reach higher).
Johnny Rojo
g.park - again,. you've missed the point - I said:
You claim my motives, unacted upon motives mind you, determine if I am a "horrible person" or not - if I follow your logic, once I decide I want to speed, I might as well do it - I've already proven myself to be a bad person, all I can do now is live up to it, there being no "karmic benefit" to restraining myself...
Timothy Hutton @ #34:
Also, if you want to know as much about the "voyeur" as he does about you, then you should ask that a camera be trained on the "voyeur" and a display added next to each camera, so the watched can see the watcher pick his nose...
I'm a security guard at a new retail/office development that has more security cameras than I've seen in all the locations I've worked at combined. Over a hundred so far, to be nearly twice that when the project is completed. If the cameras were much thicker, I'd get a free colonoscopy every time I went to work.
But in regard to your comment, TH, one of the cameras actually is located in the ceiling of the security office, focused on the security guy sitting in front of all the monitor screens. So, for that extra bit of glum to the workday, I can look at the back of my head, and the incipient bald spot forming there. Yee-hah.
That camera's actually there for the use of the development's operations manager, who can call up the view in his own office, or (I'm told) on his own computer at home.
So, when someone asks "Who watches the watchmen?", the answer is "Fred".
Ah, so this is why the Amish are Moving to Southern Colorado?
The only thing worse than having civilian volunteers do this would be to have cops doing it. Think about it for ten seconds.
"There's nothing wrong with instilling fear," he said.
Why stop at just "fear"? Why not instill "terror"? - oh, wait...
@43
the Basiji in Iran can't be sued, unlike cops. Think about it.
"The only thing worse than having civilian volunteers do this would be to have cops doing it. Think about it for ten seconds."
Even worse - a cop wanna-be - They want to be a cop, but somehow aren't qualified.
I think that Jack Bauer (ahem) means that there's nothing wrong with instilling fear in those who might fuck with his beer and soft-drink distribution business. This is unobjectionable: fear of the law and of legal reprisal is a great deterrent to criminals. It's not terrorism, and I honestly don't think he wants vandals to go to Gitmo, or wherever.
Put another way, should rapists be unafraid of the law? Of course not.
That said, the cameras seem like a horrible idea. Lancaster is a nice, quiet town: a shame.
@18: I'm pretty sure it's illegal to enter a bank with a ski mask on.
I'm with Holtt. It's better that everyone has access to those video.
Everyone here should know how easy it is to take out CCTV cameras, right? Most of them cannot handle IR light, and IR LEDS are CHEAP! Wear them on your person, and they cannot record who you are. Not only that, but the newer HD cameras can have the chip temporarily or permanently damaged by a high powered (5mWatt or stronger) laser pointer. And of course that's if you don't want to go the route members of my high school took when they tried to install cameras, which is a simple paintball gun. A few kids can take out this whole network in one night if they wanted to...
While it is true that spying cameras deter crimes in some but not all locations. Spy cameras should be self-owned by people who feel personally threatened and not be a responsibility or function of elected or appointed officials. Cameras focussed on a home or business and self-owned are inward directed not outward. Where public cameras are in use they should be in use for a reason-such as a specific point of high crime activity and the installation should be temporarily. Why temporary? Because crime moves away from permanent cameras to resume illegal activity elsewhere. Cameras installed, used and allowed by a city for constant observation of the general population is likely unconstitutional anyway. When one invests in the future, weighing the value of cameras versus the loss of our personal and collective freedoms, ask this question. Is it a really fair to make such an exchange - to weigh the value of occasional and largely petty crime situations as worthy and equal an issue as is the threat to our guaranteed and legendary freedoms.
What is another way?
Jerry Greiner
This is the crazy mentality that made me flee Lancaster County, (west Hempfield specifically,) and I for one am not at all surprised, Remember this is the heart of republican values, George Bush (1 & 2) visited there each tenure. There are more religious flavors intertwined in the county than a mega super store of baskin robins... They are all kooks
i dont know about lancaster being such a 'nice and quiet' town. i actually live in lancaster,
and my car has been broken into twice. both car windows have been shattered, and a convience store on my street (rightnext to a bank, mind you) has been robbed, and the police or these so-called cameras have done nothing to curtail such events.