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-- Smile! Big brother will soon be watching you party!
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Smile! Big brother will soon be watching you party!
Smile! You�re on Candid Camera!
That phrase made famous by Alan Funt on his 60s TV show may well be the new slogan for the city�s entertainment district if Toronto Police get their way.
They want to put closed circuit security cameras along the increasingly popular downtown strip, to help cut down on the amount of perceived violence plaguing the area.
Shootings, knifings and disturbances at many after hour nightclubs both inside and outside the district have had investigators running non-stop over the last few months, often facing uncooperative witnesses, patrons who scatter and disappear, and a paucity of clues.
The dangerous combination of testosterone, alcohol and weapons can combine for deadly results. And cops think having the incidents on tape will make finding the troublemakers easier.
The same kind of surveillance is currently standard in London, England�s downtown hotspots. But some fear the Big Brother nature of the unblinking eye will make many reluctant to bring their business there.
�I think that a lot of people have the feeling that it is an invasion of privacy, and that's really not what it's about,� counters Sandra Porter of the Toronto Entertainment District Association. �It is similar to that it would be in a variety store.�
Porter insists the cameras wouldn�t be monitored on a real time basis, and would only be consulted when there�s a criminal incident. Her group is still waiting to hear from the city about funding before deciding whether the project is financially feasible.
But some still fear the plan. �Security is pretty important but that sounds to me like it's a bit of 'Big Brother',� responds Fiona O�Neil. �So I would probably be a bit against that myself.�
If the cameras come to pass, they wouldn�t be the first surveillance devices gazing down fixedly on Toronto streets. Lenses already stare at Dundas Square, while every subway station in the city is monitored on closed circuit cameras.
I don't support that at all...it's unnecessary and overly intrusive. Put some more cops on the street instead of cameras and they'll be far less opposition with the same results. What a lame $$$ saving idea.
It's *not* at all like "a variety store". A variety store is a private business on private property, the owner of which has decided to put up cameras to protect their own business and for their own safety.
Cameras in an entire section of public space doesn't seem too similar to me...
I don't have anything to hide...if it will increase the security and reduce the crooks and criminals then I think it's not a bad idea. Youre being watched on the subway and on Dudnas square area...has that changed your life? As long as it's used properly I don't have a problem with it personally.
I don't see what the big deal is. No one's going to sit and watch...there isn't enough manpower. They would just be reviewed when crimes occur like the cameras at money machines. Be thankful.
^^^^
you just like to be on camera 
anyway, there's way more cameras in the UK... they're everywhere there
I think its fine also, all these people and witnesses who see shit but wont come forward to help put the idiots away, its their own fault. I have more to say about that, but i just dont want to type anymore at the moment.
If you are ashamed to be seen by cameras, shouldn't you be ashamed of being seen by other people in the club either ?
i could give 2 shits...nothing to hide.
they put some 20 cameras on a busy street to watch the drug dealers...
they just moved a couple of blocks away
They have installed these cameras in downtown hamilton and have seemed to serve their purpose. It has lead to 2 arrests and reduced loitering in a short time.
Whats the big deal. I forgot what the avg number is but you are likely to be taped on multiple cameras in any given day.
So much for smokin crack in the alleyways of Adelaide and Peter. Maybe ill have some peanutbutter and crack sandwhiches instead...
I guess me and my crew can't be thuggin' the yonge st anymore ....
I like this idea, clean the streets up and make TO a safer place to live.
the way i look at it is, if its public property,
then they entirely have the right to set up cameras.
obviously if it were on private property, THEN and
only then, would it be intrusive....
the only big brother comparison to me would be
the idea of putting a chip in ppl to monitor
all of our movements
- thats scary stuff
and of course they'd justify it by claiming its
"a matter of national security"
this i'll NEVER let anyone convince me of
| quote: |
| Originally posted by TheVrk the only big brother comparison to me would be the idea of putting a chip in ppl to monitor all of our movements - thats scary stuffand of course they'd justify it by claiming its "a matter of national security" this i'll NEVER let anyone convince me of |
For those against this, I guess you don't mind being on camera in nearly every private establishment... including clubs, but don't like the idea of the cops having access to a good tool for ensuring your safety....
As for the drug dealer cameras comment Malek made... that was probably the idea... getting the drug dealers out of that particular neighbourhood... unfortunately they often don't care where they go, as long as it's out of the more affluent touristy areas.
they're all over London in the UK! evil!! 
its a good idea.
i people seem to be in favour of this, im glad. i was hoping i wasnt going to hear "but my privacey" arguments.
how do you claim that your privacy is being violated when you have none? there are a million people on the street already!!!! you want your privacy? go up northin, not crowded downtown TO.
I am a little concerned at the amount of cameras everywhere. When you leave your house count how many times you are caught on video (gas stations, TTC, street corners, bank machines, stores etc etc). The numbers are quite scary. I know all about public property and all that - just a little freaky to know that your every move can be tracked....
| quote: |
| Originally posted by girllovingtvibe I am a little concerned at the amount of cameras everywhere. When you leave your house count how many times you are caught on video (gas stations, TTC, street corners, bank machines, stores etc etc). The numbers are quite scary. I know all about public property and all that - just a little freaky to know that your every move can be tracked.... |
| quote: |
| Originally posted by Orko here are a million people on the street already!!!! you want your privacy? go up northin, not crowded downtown TO. |
If anyone has seen the the documentry "Cyberman" about U of T professor / cyborg Steve Mann he makes alot of good points about privacy and wearable computers, etc.
the best point he makes is why aren't we allowed to film where ever we like without permission, but we are filmed all the time in stores, etc. without permission.
I have mixed feelings on this. On one hand i see what they want to do and it could result in better security downtown. On the other hand it raises the possibility of using it as an intrusive measure years down the road for fining people for such things as pissing on a garbage can.
I think the real issue that should be addressed is that why is there a need for cameras in the entertainment district in 2004 when FEWER people go there as compared to the 90s when on any given night it was probably twice as busy. I think thats the real sign of the times.
what concerns me is no these cameras.... but the fact they started this trend of "we watch to protect you"... slowly it will change to "we watch"
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