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Britain to arm bobbies with helmet cams

RAPHAEL G. SATTER

Associated Press

Latest comment posted at 12:41 AM EDT 15/07/07

Britain takes surveillance to new level with video cameras strapped to police helmets ...Read the full article

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  1. Mister G from Canada writes: What's the crime rate in the UK compared to ours? Does all this surveillance makes a diference? If so I am all for it.
  2. Diane Schweik from EDMONTON, Canada writes: Apart from murder the per capita crime rate in the UK is worse than the US,and the police seem to have thrown in the towel.The evidence is that these cameras help to solve crime but do little to prevent it.
  3. gord winters from Canada writes: its difficult to compare the two. crime in the UK is very very very high from a canadian prospective.

    the cameras do provide a lot of evidence for the courts, but they don't have any prisons to put anyone in.. so if you only stole something or didn't hurt them too badly.. you walk.

    is that a help?

    i don't know.
  4. C M from Toronto, Canada writes: They'll be able to get better camera angles than COPS.
  5. Wet Back In Canada from Canada writes: The camera convicted Lord Black of Crossharbour .
  6. Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: I think it is a progressive idea. I wish we could send some of our Canadian police to take some lessons from the British.

    As far as crime is concerned, the sooner we take some lessons from some of the Islamic countries, the better: if you steal a second time, lose a hand! If you prostitute yourself, prepared to be stoned.

    Young people out of school recently have been jumping fences and completely destroying people's vegetable gardens. Should the parents be held responsible or should the judges give them a tiny slap on the wrist? Naughty, naughty! This is not even in the very rural areas, this is in large villages and towns where there is ample activity provided for young people. It is time we stop making excuses for young criminals and maybe start charging the parents. I am tired of paying taxes to build more gaols and pay judges who work a few hours a day and then disappear to play golf with their 'buddy lawyers' who will expect favours down the road.
  7. chris jenkins from Free the West, BC, Canada writes: Yeah right, this is a story, when there is absolutely no mention anywhere of the revelation that S. Dion sold out the Liberal vote [Air India inquiry] to Sikh extremists, and that his very leadership is owed to these terrorists. Where is that story? Are there no journalists in Canada?

    And I can't tell if Wackernagel is real or a joke.
  8. R Hopkins from Edmonton, Canada writes: Yvonne...Don't joke about it, SOME people really think like that... ( poor b'stards)
  9. Miles Nicholson from Canada writes: How close can you get to 1984? Im suprised that people would allow their RIGHT to privacy to be eroded to this point.
    Glad I left the country when I did.
  10. Devil's Advocate from Canada writes: Yvonne - sometimes I think you're just a troll trying to stir up controversy. I suggest that Islamic countries justice is less just than you think. For example - if you got raped, unless you have 4 uninvolved male witnesses there to testify on your behalf, YOU would be stoned for prostitution. Not exactly something I would like to see in Canada.
  11. Rudy H from Canada writes: What next, Robo Cop? Actually I think this could be good (acountability) even though it will likely cause problems also. It will be interesting how many times the units will malfunction during an alleged abusive situations.
  12. J Billins from TO, Canada writes: I bet Ian Bush's parents wish they had had them.
  13. ALASTAIR JAMES BERRY from Nanaimo BC CANADA, Canada writes:
    Is it true, as I saw reported recently, that only about 6% of British Bobbies out of a total of well over 100,000, carry guns?

    I think they will be safer with helmet mounted cameras than guns. Guns seem to bring out the SWAT TEAM mentality, in North American police, so well expressed by G.W. BUSH in the USA. "BRING THEM ON!!" And it is this type of response that gets criminals to shoot at them........"If they are going to shoot at me I'll damn well shoot a few first!!"
  14. Andrew E from COWtown, Alberta., Canada writes: Wow... can they tape us a few episodes of "British Housewives Gone Wild"?

    And if the suspect is wearing a burqua, how will the cameras help?
  15. Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: Devil's Advocate from Canada writes: "Yvonne - sometimes I think you're just a troll trying to stir up controversy."

    And you are right! I am just tired of all these "goody tooshoes" who refuse to take responsibility for their children. Parents must face the consequences if they do not take the time to guide their children before they become criminals and I do not go for the stupid excuse: "Oh, we are both working to put bread on the table". My husband and I both worked to put bread on the table also, but where are your priorities? Children did not ask to be born! We adopted two babies and we are extremely proud of how they have turned out at 41 and 39 -honourable, ethical, capable and hardworking, married and healthy!. What more could any parent ask for? But it took personal sacrifice which was personally satisfying; people should try it!
  16. Albin Forone from Toronto, Canada writes: Of course one immediately compares the intensive British video scrutiny of suspected criminals with the video scrutiny of Conrad Black, as parallel instances of video surveillance of a threat to innocent taxpayers and investors. Whatever works!
  17. mike sty from Canada writes: Billins from TO, Canada writes: I bet Ian Bush's parents wish they had had them.
    --------------------------
    Helmet cams would go along way to repairing the rcmp (picture worth a 1000 words = accountability) ..........more so than the new commissioner William Elliott.
  18. Nite Owl from Calgary, Canada writes: I hear there's a law in the works that will require every British citizen to wear a camera on their head at all times. That'll make em all safe...won't it?
  19. Fifty cal from Austin, Texas, United States writes: Perhaps they should "arm" them with little bells and pepper spray. That way when the savages start eating them, at least the "bobbies" will be able to follow the scat trail, like they do when grizzeles eat "environmentalists".
  20. Cheap Skate from Canada writes: The concept of a wooden top Bobby with a camera stuck on the top brings tears to my eyes. I can just see the comedy this is going to generate.
  21. Chris Yang from Canada writes: Cameras do nothing to prevent crimes. However, having cold hard evidence on videotape keeps officers in line and criminals behind bars.
  22. Etienne Forest from Japan writes: It is really funny when Western people ask me how I can stand Japan, a country where everyone is watched by his neighbour and forced to conform. Yes here it is more like Herouxville: no need for spy cameras to watch your alien neighbours as we are such a tiny minority and therefore we must follow the Japanese proverbs that says that the nail that sticks out gets hammered down. You do not like the customs of the country you chose to immigrate in? Get out of it.

    All these hijab, turban and kirpah wearing people should be kicked out of Britain if they do not like the British way of life.

    It is coming. Bring in the lawsuits against the CBC. People will eventually say: enough.
  23. Jeff Pritchard from Canada writes: At this rate we're being technologized, we'll be able to see crimes in progress on Google Maps soon.
  24. WILLY SIO from Brampton, ON, Canada writes: At the time the videocam is recording an event, it may not prevent the crime from taking place, but it will certainly help to bring about a conviction. In time, criminals will understand they have to do time if they do the crime.
    After all is said and done, it is ultimately the courts that have to hand down punishment to fit the crime, not a slap on the wrist as is in most cases, especially the plea bargaining efforts by defence lawyers. Criminals weigh the end result, that is the bottom line, and if it is something they can live with, they do it.
    At least videocams will be one more tool to make the work easier for police. This may not bode well for all those human rights activists who almost ignore the plight and sufferings of victims. Bring on the videocams if you have nothing to hide. Put some humour into it - Smile You Are On Candid Camera.
  25. Randal Oulton from Toronto, Canada writes: >> Diane Schweik from EDMONTON, Canada writes: Apart from murder the per capita crime rate in the UK is worse than the US,and the police seem to have thrown in the towel.

    ah, people. People! Numbers pls, numbers, sources! I know terribly old fashioned of me and all. And please be sure to include jane and Finch and Coxwell and Gerrard, and all of Montreal.

    Until we have numbers, I will say, the crime rate in the UK is lower than in America and in Canada combined. And that made up statement is just as valid as all the rest.

    that being said, I have a question: do the bobby's wives get to view the footage to see what they're doing on their breaks?
  26. Diane Schweik from EDMONTON, Canada writes: Randal What I said appears often in the UK media.Britain has become a violent lawless society.The city centres are dangerous places and can beat anything Jane-Finch has to offer.and now even small towns are best avoided at night.
    The police have become more interested in so called PC crimes and protecting the criminals than the average citizen.If you are burgled they give you a card for the insurance company but will not investigate.
  27. Peter Cromerovich from Erehwon, Canada writes: Excellent idea and this should be followed up by cameras, microphones, wall TV screens and speakers in every dwelling room -yes, bathroom included, no telling what some people might get up to in there. Speakers can warn people about to commit some infraction and the screens can ensure that the population is properly educated and warn about terrorists, drug dealers, perverts and child molesters in the neighbourhood. To prevent this critically important educational advice from being ignored it will be impossible to turn these screens off. This strong decisive action will prevent crime and protect our freedoms; some may complain about privacy but these are just "Lefty wimps" and dissidents - after all if you are not doing anything wrong what have you got to fear?
  28. Lemmy Nothor from BCN, Spain writes:
    Sales of ski masks will skyrocket...........invest now!
  29. Andrew Burke from Canada writes: "You've got nothing to worry about if you're not doing anything wrong" is flawed when right and wrong are determined authoritarian governments.

    I'm usually opposed to the surveillance society being built in the UK, but hey, at least this has the benefit of keeping police in line if utilized properly.
  30. M McGeachy from Toronto, Canada writes: It is a sad reflection on the sate of free society when so many free people defend a government's right to spy on their own citizens. I am not surprised that so many people here are not outraged by this, but I am saddened by it. A government that violates the fundamental right to privacy from those around you has fallen into tyrrany - it is possible that in the west we simply refuse to recognise it.

    I've said it before on this forum and I'll say it again: when the government ceases to be of the people and becomes something other ("Them," if you like) it spells the most decadent period of a society.

    This is wrong. We all know it because we have been told for years. Stop defending these decisions and start acting like free men.
  31. James C. from ontario, Canada writes: " Mister G from Canada writes: What's the crime rate in the UK compared to ours? Does all this surveillance makes a diference? If so I am all for it."
    ----------
    i dont think the stats show that crime has been reduced by the use of all the cameras in the UK but their use has been proven to solve more crimes more quickly. that justifies their use.

    " Miles Nicholson from Canada writes: How close can you get to 1984? Im suprised that people would allow their RIGHT to privacy to be eroded to this point.
    Glad I left the country when I did."
    ----------
    the cameras in UK are in public spaces, and people have no reasonable right to privacy when out in public. the cameras will not, adn do not infringe on people's privacy.
  32. The Electorate are hopelessly Brain Dead from Canada writes: M McGeachy from Toronto, Canada writes: It is a sad reflection on the sate of free society when so many free people defend a government's right to spy on their own citizens. I am not surprised that so many people here are not outraged by this, but I am saddened by it. A government that violates the fundamental right to privacy from those around you has fallen into tyrrany - it is possible that in the west we simply refuse to recognise it.

    I've said it before on this forum and I'll say it again: when the government ceases to be of the people and becomes something other ("Them," if you like) it spells the most decadent period of a society.

    This is wrong. We all know it because we have been told for years. Stop defending these decisions and start acting like free men.
    =========================================

    Hear Hear. Well said.
  33. Bruce Rideout from Victoria, Canada writes: Seems a bit reminiscent of star treks BORG. prepare to be assimilated.
  34. Jenna Bush from Calgary, Canada writes: Randal Oulton, if you want crime stats here you go:

    http://www.crimestatistics.org.uk/output/Page1.asp

    I lived in the UK for 5 years, 2000-2005. I taught in schools that served council estates and although cameras were everywhere the police could not be bothered. Cameras in that country have now become so invasive that they are now on people's garbage cans, this is so the local council can check to see if you put your garbage out to early.

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/16/nbins116.xml

    The UK is a fascist society, I am so happy I left that septic isle to return home to Alberta.
  35. Bob Rollheiser from Canada writes: Cops with cameras? That is a good deterent, a lot of fundamentalist terrorists would run before allowing an infidel to take their image. Won't be long before the local police have them too. Allready we have the Brittish system where the police give you a file number for minor crimes to prove something happened. This is for your insurance compay as investegations tend to consist of reports being noted to allow compillation of statistics to justify more policing? However the real scofflaws, caught not wearing seat belts or commiting hideous acts contruary to the motor vehicles acts, get swift justice via economic remedies.
  36. by polar from Canada writes: More cameras? More fear. More fear? More cameras. More cameras and more fear? More laws. More laws? Less freedom. I don't remember who said, that while we look for the illusion of safety we lose freedom.
  37. by polar from Canada writes: There is always a solution for crime, but never one for health issues, poverty, homelessness, the enviroment. You wanna get into politics? Start talking about crime and victims.
  38. Ottawa Mens Centre.com from Ottawa, Canada writes: One place they will be too gutless to place cameras in in Family Courts. You see, they like family courts in Canada use judges and any other public official to permanently remove fathers from the lives of children. Its really simple, any mentally ill violent woman who like most mentally ill people suddenly concludes during a auditory hallucination that her spouse is suddenly the course of all her problems and shares that thought with a 911 operator. Police these days will walk in with notepads open and write down any bizarre thing said and charge HIM regardless. Just recently in the 905 police arrested a sane father on a very large number of charges for "remembered abuse" by a sister of the father allegedly committed several decades earlier. The fact that the sister has obvious documented serious mental health problems meant nothing to the police. He was locked up for over a week before he got bail. So hows a camera going to help? Won't help the public because the police will keep the vido evidence sealed, the court will not allow anyone to "see" their day to day dirty deeds and will go to extremes to make sure no one ever does. The first place we need cameras is in our FAMILY COURTS were the real criminals are dead beat judges with a pathological hatred towards men and do almost anything to avoid having their dirty deeds exposed. Yes, we need cameras, in family court. Just ask any divorced father anywhere and they will tell you, our family courts act like secret nartzzie courts and the hatred literally ooozes out of the court room walls. FAmily Court judges decide what the transcripts will read. We need live unedited video of real crime, the worst crime in society committed virtually every day by family court judges! www.OttawaMensCentre.com
  39. Jonathan Yudelman from Toronto, Canada writes: I've always disliked Foucault and am consequently most distressed to discover that one of his prophesies was correct.
  40. by polar from Canada writes: Ottawa Mens Centre.com:" Any violent woman who like most mentally people suddenly concludes during a auditory allucination..." Don't you think that's a rather malicious, form of stigmatizition?

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