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More info?)
Anastasia Orfanos wrote:
> The Americans are going to ban the use of cameras and camcorders on trains
> and buses.
>
> So much for the "land of the free".
>
>
http://1010wins.com/topstories/winstopstories_story_141171549.html
It is now a "proposal", and I would be surprised to find it become a law.
Even if it became a law, it would be very difficult to enforce. Anyone with a
camera phone could easily bypass the law, with little fear of getting caught.
It seems more to me that they want to use this to increase revenues through
fines, rather than any increase in security. This reads too much like the
stop light cameras issues that have cropped up in some cities.
One part in the article about two guys videotaping an area brings up an
interesting observation. Police saw them, suspected something suspicious, and
investigated. That is the real security issue, having people there to
investigate something they see as suspicious. The threat of a fine, or legal
action will not deter criminals, will be difficult to enforce, and will only
harm innocent people.
Just to qualify this a bit, here is a surveillance lesson. Any area can be
easily mapped out just by walking. Placement of objects, doors, ramps, steps,
and structures can be determined through walking, and could be easily and
discreetly sketched onto any paper or note pad. Some individuals with more
practice can walk out an area, and sketch all details later at another
location. Time schedules of activities in any public area can be readily
obtained either by internet posting, gathering leaflets, or by observations.
In fact, observing any area will usually gather more information than
photographing an area. The surveillance benefit of photography is only in
more detail. Setting explosives that cover a large area, and not a small
tactical location, does not require detailed information. A few observation
reconnaissance missions to any area, of at least 30 seconds duration, should
suffice to map out any area. More private areas might require longer time
periods of observation, but any area should reveal general layout based one
only one observation period. All this is sounds very simple, because it is
very simple.
When the authorities are unable to control crime, how can they possibly
expect to control terrorism? Fines and laws will not deter terrorism.
Ciao!
Gordon Moat
A G Studio
<http://www.allgstudio.com>
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