From: Eliezer S. Yudkowsky (sentience@pobox.com)
Date: Sun Sep 14 2003 - 18:27:42 MDT
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/story.jsp?story=443268
Robocop spy-cam speaks for itself
By Andrew Johnson
14 September 2003
It is the snooper that speaks before anyone has the chance to step out of
line.
A cross between Big Brother and Robocop, it barks orders at would-be
vandals, graffiti artists and drug users.
British Transport Police and two local authorities are experimenting with
revolutionary cameras which can spot when people are not where they should be.
The Flash Cam 530 takes its photographs with an intense flash that can
read a car number plate in the pitch dark from 100 yards, and then issues
a stern 15-second Robocop-style spoken instruction to leave the area.
Steve Galinsky, who started importing the cameras from America in May,
said: "We have seven on trial across the country. Easington Council in
County Durham is using them to stop fly-tipping. We've had no prosecutions
so far, but no fly-tipping either."
British Transport Police has three cameras, two standing guard at
Worcester's Shrub Hill station and one in Leamington Spa station, to stop
graffiti vandals.
There is another at the memorial site to the victims of last year's rail
crash in Potters Bar. Would-be vandals are told: "This is a dedicated
memorial site. Please leave now. Your photograph has been taken and may be
used to prosecute you."
In Camden, north London, drug addicts hear: "Please leave now if you have
no business in this area. Your photograph has been taken and if you are
conducting an illegal activity you will be prosecuted."
Mr Galinsky said Scotland Yard was in discussions over the cameras being
installed throughout London. Westminster Council is considering a trial in
central London.
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