vito
Member
The identification of the Boston bombers was totally dependent upon images from local security cameras, and law enforcement success in this case will certainly lead to even greater use of security cameras in urban areas. I can foresee the day when every part of every city is fully covered by cameras, as it is already in London, UK. Aside from the privacy issues about being on cameras, possibly monitored 24/7 by the police, where might this technology go? I have read about new cameras that can detect metal hidden under clothing. Combined with ongoing surveillance, will this likely lead to law enforcement watching public areas and then stopping everyone who is carrying, legally and not? Will concealed carry become something that is no longer practical, if you are being stopped and searched and questioned every few blocks when in a city environment? Even apart from detecting concealed guns, I am of mixed emotion about being on someone's security cameras at all times. Our freedom of movement and privacy would seem to be seriously compromised if we are being watched at all times. Add face recognition software, concealed carry license photos on file, and we could be watched with extra attention wherever we go. It also crossed my mind that with all of this technology, a casual mistake when carrying, i.e., getting too close to a prohibited area like a school or government building, could result in more than just annoying inconvenience when you are forced to stop, lie down on the ground, have your weapon taken, and have to explain to the police what and why you were where you were. Maybe I'm just getting paranoid.
