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Council staff to wear HeadCams
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| PC Richard Kennedy tries one of the head cams |
COUNCIL officers in
Southampton could be
kitted out with
Robocop-style head
cameras to record litterbugs
and young
troublemakers, the
Daily Echo has learned.
The news comes a day after
the Echo revealed police are to
target violent drunks stumbling
out of nightclubs and bars with
20 of the tiny head and vest
mounted digital cameras.
Southampton City Council is
now investigating whether to
apply for Home Office funding
or approach private businesses
in the city to help purchase the
technology for its patrol officers.
The City Patrol targets antisocial
behaviour and environmental
crime from 8am
until 11pm, seven days a
week and the officers have
the power to issue on the
spot fines.
Watch the HeadCam in action - click here
The council's communities
and safety manager Roger
Honey said juveniles in the
city centre and urban shopping
centres would be targeted
by the scheme - dubbed
HeadCam.
"We are looking at the idea of
non-police patrols wearing
head-cameras in the city centre,
but it's not anywhere near
decided yet as we need to go to
Cabinet for a decision," he said.
"The idea is that if you use
them in the city centre then you
are less likely to have people acting
up because they realise they
are being recorded. There is
anecdotal evidence from other
authorities that have used them
that they are successful.
"The police are about to use
head cameras in the city centre
and we will see how that goes. If
there is an opportunity to
extend that and it is appropriate
within the current climate of
legislation and good sense then
we will explore it."
Southampton is latest in a
number of councils across
Britain looking at adopting the
surveillance technology.
Council patrol officers in Hull,
Birmingham and Liverpool all
utilise the super high-resolution
cameras, which send audio and
visual footage straight on to a
computer hard drive attached to
their belt.
Lollipop ladies in Warwickshire
were last month given
head cameras to capture
motorists hurling abuse at the
school crossing patrollers.
Police to use helmet mounted cameras
While in Manchester, parking
wardens wear the headsets to
catch out drivers who park illegally.
Mr Honey added: "The issue is
still very much under investigation,
we know of one major city
which has used head cameras
and are actually now having to
rethink that process.
"We are conscious of the issue
of council surveillance in the
national and local press at the
moment and there is certain sectors
in the community who are
unhappy with the Big Brother
aspect."
The £21,000 police HeadCam
trial starts on May 24 and
comes after Southampton was
ranked the third most dangerous
city in Britain for alcoholfuelled
violence.
If successful, police want it
rolled out across the county to
tackle antisocial behaviour and
help victims of domestic violence.
11:26am Tuesday 13th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Family Man, Bitterne on 11:53am Tue 13 May 08
Perhaps we should all wear head cams. That way we could create the most extensive database of human activity ever. We could run over every single meaningless event in our daily lives,... Wow!
Alternatively we could use them to film the more pathetic actions of "jobsworths" and trivial mindlessness and bureacracy..
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever that those who seek to engage themselves in our daily lives would be far more circumspect in their dealings with us in they event that they knew a record was being made...
I also stongly suspect we would be asked to turn them off as it would be a breach of THEIR human rights, security, health and safety, data protection, you name it!
Perhaps we should all wear head cams. That way we could create the most extensive database of human activity ever. We could run over every single meaningless event in our daily lives,... Wow!
Alternatively we could use them to film the more pathetic actions of "jobsworths" and trivial mindlessness and bureacracy..
There is absolutely no doubt in my mind whatsoever that those who seek to engage themselves in our daily lives would be far more circumspect in their dealings with us in they event that they knew a record was being made...
I also stongly suspect we would be asked to turn them off as it would be a breach of THEIR human rights, security, health and safety, data protection, you name it!
Posted by: Fred, Bristol on 11:56am Tue 13 May 08
Is it really appropriate to be issuing even more cameras at a time when studies show that CCTV footage isn't even being utilized by the police correctly at the moment?
Surely studies like this just prove that if you have a "bobby on the beat" then crime will decrease.
That's not to mention that headcams are generally frowned upon as a useful tool due to the fact police officers shake their heads (yes, no) when talking to people, resulting in useless video. A far better solution seems to be the "shoulder cam".
Is it really appropriate to be issuing even more cameras at a time when studies show that CCTV footage isn't even being utilized by the police correctly at the moment?
Surely studies like this just prove that if you have a "bobby on the beat" then crime will decrease.
That's not to mention that headcams are generally frowned upon as a useful tool due to the fact police officers shake their heads (yes, no) when talking to people, resulting in useless video. A far better solution seems to be the "shoulder cam".
Posted by: Plum Pudding, Swamptown on 11:58am Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote:
Is it really appropriate to be issuing even more cameras at a time when studies show that CCTV footage isn't even being utilized by the police correctly at the moment? Surely studies like this just prove that if you have a "bobby on the beat" then crime will decrease. That's not to mention that headcams are generally frowned upon as a useful tool due to the fact police officers shake their heads (yes, no) when talking to people, resulting in useless video. A far better solution seems to be the "shoulder cam".[/quote] Rather than a shoulder cam, how about a parrot... Yarrrr!
Fred wrote:
Is it really appropriate to be issuing even more cameras at a time when studies show that CCTV footage isn't even being utilized by the police correctly at the moment? Surely studies like this just prove that if you have a "bobby on the beat" then crime will decrease. That's not to mention that headcams are generally frowned upon as a useful tool due to the fact police officers shake their heads (yes, no) when talking to people, resulting in useless video. A far better solution seems to be the "shoulder cam".
Rather than a shoulder cam, how about a parrot... Yarrrr!
Posted by: hulla, baloo on 12:06pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Fred[/bold] wrote:
Is it really appropriate to be issuing even more cameras at a time when studies show that CCTV footage isn't even being utilized by the police correctly at the moment? Surely studies like this just prove that if you have a "bobby on the beat" then crime will decrease. That's not to mention that headcams are generally frowned upon as a useful tool due to the fact police officers shake their heads (yes, no) when talking to people, resulting in useless video. A far better solution seems to be the "shoulder cam".[/quote] Erm, the footage in the video looks okay to me.
Fred wrote:
Is it really appropriate to be issuing even more cameras at a time when studies show that CCTV footage isn't even being utilized by the police correctly at the moment? Surely studies like this just prove that if you have a "bobby on the beat" then crime will decrease. That's not to mention that headcams are generally frowned upon as a useful tool due to the fact police officers shake their heads (yes, no) when talking to people, resulting in useless video. A far better solution seems to be the "shoulder cam".
Erm, the footage in the video looks okay to me.
Posted by: Condor Man, Southampton on 12:42pm Tue 13 May 08
What a waste of my council tax money.
Given that food is going to rot in the fields this summer why not get coaches to pull up in Millbrook & Thornhill and get all the NEET's to go out and bring the harvest home?
What a waste of my council tax money.
Given that food is going to rot in the fields this summer why not get coaches to pull up in Millbrook & Thornhill and get all the NEET's to go out and bring the harvest home?
Posted by: Jules, Southampton on 12:51pm Tue 13 May 08
"TECHNOLOGY......A WAY TO KEEP EVERYONE IN CHECK AND TO BE USED AS A STICK TO BEAT US OVER THE HEADS WITH WHEN REQUIRED."
I just about hate what is happening in surveillance Britain and would love to leave if I had my way. Whatever happened to the "Keep Britain Tidy" campaign? There used to be posters everywhere, not forgetting public information films. Surely schools could do more to educate children into the importance of keeping our not so pleasant land tidy. But what happens? The state uses technology as a response to all the years of liberal ideology that has created the waste bin we have today. Time for a reality check and to return to basics.
"TECHNOLOGY......A WAY TO KEEP EVERYONE IN CHECK AND TO BE USED AS A STICK TO BEAT US OVER THE HEADS WITH WHEN REQUIRED."
I just about hate what is happening in surveillance Britain and would love to leave if I had my way. Whatever happened to the "Keep Britain Tidy" campaign? There used to be posters everywhere, not forgetting public information films. Surely schools could do more to educate children into the importance of keeping our not so pleasant land tidy. But what happens? The state uses technology as a response to all the years of liberal ideology that has created the waste bin we have today. Time for a reality check and to return to basics.
Posted by: Vidboy on 12:57pm Tue 13 May 08
The yobs will soon discover that a strong magnet will destroy any recording.....
The yobs will soon discover that a strong magnet will destroy any recording.....
Posted by: Bill, DeSoto MO USA on 2:22pm Tue 13 May 08
I think that every official no matter how petty should wear head cams. Also the whole population should be micro chipped so that the authorities can track the movements of everyone. 1984 has come a long way.
I think that every official no matter how petty should wear head cams. Also the whole population should be micro chipped so that the authorities can track the movements of everyone. 1984 has come a long way.
Posted by: Jules, Southampton on 4:30pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Bill[/bold] wrote:
I think that every official no matter how petty should wear head cams. Also the whole population should be micro chipped so that the authorities can track the movements of everyone. 1984 has come a long way.[/quote] Americans can be micro-chipped if they want to be but I certainly won't be. The day this happens, we'll all be screwed as it is the mark of the beast. At least, that is what Barry Smith said in his videos about the New World Order, or should I say the George Bush Order.
Bill wrote:
I think that every official no matter how petty should wear head cams. Also the whole population should be micro chipped so that the authorities can track the movements of everyone. 1984 has come a long way.
Americans can be micro-chipped if they want to be but I certainly won't be. The day this happens, we'll all be screwed as it is the mark of the beast. At least, that is what Barry Smith said in his videos about the New World Order, or should I say the George Bush Order.
Posted by: George on 8:50pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Jules[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Bill[/bold] wrote:
I think that every official no matter how petty should wear head cams. Also the whole population should be micro chipped so that the authorities can track the movements of everyone. 1984 has come a long way.[/quote] Americans can be micro-chipped if they want to be but I certainly won't be. The day this happens, we'll all be screwed as it is the mark of the beast. At least, that is what Barry Smith said in his videos about the New World Order, or should I say the George Bush Order.[/quote] He's joking, Jules. Or at least, I hope he is. If not, I hope something really unpleasant happens to him, like his head falling off at an awkward moment or something
Jules wrote:
Bill wrote:
I think that every official no matter how petty should wear head cams. Also the whole population should be micro chipped so that the authorities can track the movements of everyone. 1984 has come a long way.
Americans can be micro-chipped if they want to be but I certainly won't be. The day this happens, we'll all be screwed as it is the mark of the beast. At least, that is what Barry Smith said in his videos about the New World Order, or should I say the George Bush Order.
He's joking, Jules. Or at least, I hope he is. If not, I hope something really unpleasant happens to him, like his head falling off at an awkward moment or something
Posted by: George on 8:51pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Vidboy[/bold] wrote:
The yobs will soon discover that a strong magnet will destroy any recording.....[/quote] Great! Now all they need to do is find the large, secure building where all the recording is actually done - since these cameras don't actually record, merely transmit to elsewhere - break in and apply magnetism
Vidboy wrote:
The yobs will soon discover that a strong magnet will destroy any recording.....
Great! Now all they need to do is find the large, secure building where all the recording is actually done - since these cameras don't actually record, merely transmit to elsewhere - break in and apply magnetism
Posted by: George on 8:54pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]George[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Vidboy[/bold] wrote:
The yobs will soon discover that a strong magnet will destroy any recording.....[/quote] Great! Now all they need to do is find the large, secure building where all the recording is actually done - since these cameras don't actually record, merely transmit to elsewhere - break in and apply magnetism[/quote] Not to mention, of course, that a magnet will only destroy [italic]magnetic[/italic] recordings, not the digital recordings these are bound to be
George wrote:
Vidboy wrote:
The yobs will soon discover that a strong magnet will destroy any recording.....
Great! Now all they need to do is find the large, secure building where all the recording is actually done - since these cameras don't actually record, merely transmit to elsewhere - break in and apply magnetism
Not to mention, of course, that a magnet will only destroy
magnetic recordings, not the digital recordings these are bound to be
Posted by: Pollyanna, Southampton on 10:40pm Tue 13 May 08
It is no compliment to Southampton that we have to have head cams because some other awful cities have them.
Shame upon the Council for allowing
us to gain such an awful reputation.
But will measures be taken to get control ?
Not unless we change the Government and get rid of so called intellectual "do gooders."
?
It is no compliment to Southampton that we have to have head cams because some other awful cities have them.
Shame upon the Council for allowing
us to gain such an awful reputation.
But will measures be taken to get control ?
Not unless we change the Government and get rid of so called intellectual "do gooders."
?
Posted by: Mad Max, Thunderdome on 11:28pm Tue 13 May 08
[quote][bold]Bill[/bold] wrote:
I think that every official no matter how petty should wear head cams. Also the whole population should be micro chipped so that the authorities can track the movements of everyone. 1984 has come a long way.[/quote] If everyone was micro chipped, they could use the American Star Wars saterlites to fry any wrong doers... "Ha!! you dropped a bit of litter.... Zap"
Bill wrote:
I think that every official no matter how petty should wear head cams. Also the whole population should be micro chipped so that the authorities can track the movements of everyone. 1984 has come a long way.
If everyone was micro chipped, they could use the American Star Wars saterlites to fry any wrong doers... "Ha!! you dropped a bit of litter.... Zap"
Posted by: Robert on 12:21am Wed 14 May 08
I hope these cameras don't have to share resources with the council worker's brain. Their performance would be incredibly clunky and slow.
I hope these cameras don't have to share resources with the council worker's brain. Their performance would be incredibly clunky and slow.
Posted by: sam, soton on 11:34am Wed 14 May 08
Nice to know that police have all this wonderful equipment to keep us safe!!!!
Where is the equipment that protected my young grandson being beaten in his friends garden by an off duty police officer in Lower Brownhill Road, millbrook.
and what about that youngster over sainsbury that was beaten by police officers, if this equipment is to protect the police they should first make sure that police are made responsible for crimes they are commiting and getting away with... we need the headcams on.
Nice to know that police have all this wonderful equipment to keep us safe!!!!
Where is the equipment that protected my young grandson being beaten in his friends garden by an off duty police officer in Lower Brownhill Road, millbrook.
and what about that youngster over sainsbury that was beaten by police officers, if this equipment is to protect the police they should first make sure that police are made responsible for crimes they are commiting and getting away with... we need the headcams on.
Posted by: danny, southampton on 8:21pm Thu 15 May 08
saw that incedent happen it was my friend that i was with he was going for me but got the wrong boy but the man who done it got away with it i cant belive it any one else would have been in court yes you are right we need the head cams police stick together!!!!![/bold] [bold]bold[/bold]
saw that incedent happen it was my friend that i was with he was going for me but got the wrong boy but the man who done it got away with it i cant belive it any one else would have been in court yes you are right we need the head cams police stick together!!!!! bold
Posted by: Sheriff John Burnell (retired), Southampton on 6:46pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]danny[/bold] wrote:
saw that incedent happen it was my friend that i was with he was going for me but got the wrong boy but the man who done it got away with it i cant belive it any one else would have been in court yes you are right we need the head cams police stick together!!!!![/bold] [bold]bold[/bold] [/quote] What? Does any of that actually make sense? Did you attend school, your English is shocking!
danny wrote:
saw that incedent happen it was my friend that i was with he was going for me but got the wrong boy but the man who done it got away with it i cant belive it any one else would have been in court yes you are right we need the head cams police stick together!!!!! bold
What? Does any of that actually make sense? Did you attend school, your English is shocking!
Posted by: Sheriff John Burnell (retired), Southampton on 6:48pm Fri 16 May 08
[quote][bold]sam[/bold] wrote:
Nice to know that police have all this wonderful equipment to keep us safe!!!! Where is the equipment that protected my young grandson being beaten in his friends garden by an off duty police officer in Lower Brownhill Road, millbrook. and what about that youngster over sainsbury that was beaten by police officers, if this equipment is to protect the police they should first make sure that police are made responsible for crimes they are commiting and getting away with... we need the headcams on.[/quote] If people behave then they will not get beaten by the police - simple!
sam wrote:
Nice to know that police have all this wonderful equipment to keep us safe!!!! Where is the equipment that protected my young grandson being beaten in his friends garden by an off duty police officer in Lower Brownhill Road, millbrook. and what about that youngster over sainsbury that was beaten by police officers, if this equipment is to protect the police they should first make sure that police are made responsible for crimes they are commiting and getting away with... we need the headcams on.
If people behave then they will not get beaten by the police - simple!
Posted by: tiz, southampton on 1:36pm Mon 19 May 08
[quote][bold]Sheriff John Burnell (retired)[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]sam[/bold] wrote: Nice to know that police have all this wonderful equipment to keep us safe!!!! Where is the equipment that protected my young grandson being beaten in his friends garden by an off duty police officer in Lower Brownhill Road, millbrook. and what about that youngster over sainsbury that was beaten by police officers, if this equipment is to protect the police they should first make sure that police are made responsible for crimes they are commiting and getting away with... we need the headcams on.[/quote] If people behave then they will not get beaten by the police - simple![/quote] people should not get beaten by ploice anyway. what you talking about!!!!![bold]bold[/bold]
Sheriff John Burnell (retired) wrote:
sam wrote: Nice to know that police have all this wonderful equipment to keep us safe!!!! Where is the equipment that protected my young grandson being beaten in his friends garden by an off duty police officer in Lower Brownhill Road, millbrook. and what about that youngster over sainsbury that was beaten by police officers, if this equipment is to protect the police they should first make sure that police are made responsible for crimes they are commiting and getting away with... we need the headcams on.
If people behave then they will not get beaten by the police - simple!
people should not get beaten by ploice anyway. what you talking about!!!!!
Posted by: tyler, southampton on 5:35pm Wed 21 May 08
[bold]you should no the circumstances of what you did and stand up and be a man and take the blame !!!
you should no the circumstances of what you did and stand up and be a man and take the blame !!!
Posted by: sid, millbrook on 3:20pm Thu 22 May 08
[quote][bold]tyler[/bold] wrote:
[bold]you should no the circumstances of what you did and stand up and be a man and take the blame !!![/quote] well, all i can say is he aint a man. he would not of attacked that young boy in the first place if he was... he would of attacked someone his own age... the saying goes. "what goes around comes around..
tyler wrote:
you should no the circumstances of what you did and stand up and be a man and take the blame !!!
well, all i can say is he aint a man. he would not of attacked that young boy in the first place if he was... he would of attacked someone his own age... the saying goes. "what goes around comes around..
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