Cameras to watch the camera

New cameras to watch cameras that watch you

PALMER PARK, Md. - Many people find speed cameras frustrating, and some in the region are taking their rage out on the cameras themselves.

But now there's a new solution: cameras to watch the cameras.

One is already in place, and Prince George's County Police Maj. Robert V. Liberati hopes to have up to a dozen more before the end of the year.

"It's not worth going to jail over a $40 ticket or an arson or destruction of property charge," says Liberati.

Liberati is the Commander of the Automated Enforcement Section, which covers speed and red-light cameras.

Since April, six people have damaged speed cameras.

On April 6, someone pulled a gun out and shot a camera on the 11400 block of Duley Station Road near U.S. 301 in Upper Marlboro, Md.

Two weeks later, a speed camera was flipped over at 500 Harry S. Truman Drive, near Prince George's Community College. Police believe several people were involved because of the weight of the camera itself.

Then in May, someone walked up to a camera on Brightseat Road near FedEx Field, cut off one of the four legs, and left.

"I guess that makes a statement, but we were able to just attach another leg," says Liberati.

But when someone burned down a speed camera on Race Track Road near Bowie State College on July 3, Liberati and his colleagues began to rethink their strategy.

"It costs us $30,000 to $100,000 to replace a camera. That's a significant loss in the program. Plus it also takes a camera off the street that operates and slows people down. So there's a loss of safety for the community," says Liberati

The Prince George's County Police Department decided it needed to catch the vandals, or at least deter them.

"The roads are choked, there are lots of drivers on them. I think traffic itself is the cause of frustration (towards speed cameras). But, we have a duty to make the roads safe, even if takes a couple extra minutes to get to your destination. Unfortunately, that's the Washington area, the place we live in," says Liberati.

Speed cameras themselves can't be used for security because under Maryland law speed cameras can only take pictures of speeding, says Liberati.

"We've taken the additional step of marking our cameras to let people know that there is surveillance."

Liberati says the cameras aren't a case of Big Brother nor a cash grab, police are simply trying to keep the public safe from reckless drivers.

http://www.speedcam.co.uk/gatso2.htm

Liberaci said: Plus it also takes a camera off the street that operates and slows people down. So there's a loss of safety for the community,"

LIE!!!!!

So will the speed cameras watch the anti-vandalism cameras, or does this mean you just have to take out the anti-vandalism cameras first?

GameboyRMH wrote: So will the speed cameras watch the anti-vandalism cameras, or does this mean you just have to take out the anti-vandalism cameras first?

You just need longer range tools to take them out.

A crossbow seems about right. Be sure to wear your Guy Fawkes mask just in case though.

GameboyRMH wrote: So will the speed cameras watch the anti-vandalism cameras, or does this mean you just have to take out the anti-vandalism cameras first?

Proposed "solution" to vandalism of revenue enhancement program camera: install another $$$ camera.

Solution for vandals: $2.50 ski cap.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Liberati says the cameras aren't a case of Big Brother nor a cash grab, police are simply trying to keep the public safe from reckless drivers.

Yeah. Right. Tell me another one, Liberati.

Vandals usually already own at least one hoodie, handkerchief & pair of shades so it's a sunk cost to them.

And Maryland wonders why so many people are moving out.

I live in Northern Maryland. Every single school in my city has no fewer than 2 speed cameras. I've gotten two tickets in as many months for driving ~35 MPH through a "school zone" at 7:00 PM on a weekend or (even worse) during July.

If they're really "for the children," why are they activated when the brats aren't even in school?

Because their purpose is to generate revenue, plain and simple. Liberati's comment of "the cameras aren't a case of Big Brother nor a cash grab, police are simply trying to keep the public safe from reckless drivers" proves he is a worthless, lying sack of E36 M3 who is most likely getting a kickback from the contractors who operate the camera systems.

That's right. The police and/or municipalities don't operate the cameras. A third party contractor does. And they get a kickback from the city.

Does anyone realize how many Maryland laws were changed and/or ignored to put these cameras out there? Maryland used to be one of the most stringent states in terms of privacy laws.

I guess everything has a price.

Sky_Render wrote: That's right. The police and/or municipalities don't operate the cameras. A third party contractor does. And they get a kickback from the city.

This also does an end-run around any rules governments may have about handling private information, especially interesting in the case of ALPR cameras.

friedgreencorrado wrote:

GameboyRMH wrote: So will the speed cameras watch the anti-vandalism cameras, or does this mean you just have to take out the anti-vandalism cameras first?

Proposed "solution" to vandalism of revenue enhancement program camera: install another $$$ camera. Solution for vandals: $2.50 ski cap.

A Nixon mask is funnier.

Mitchell wrote: A Nixon mask is funnier.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Liberati says the cameras aren't a case of Big Brother nor a cash grab, police are simply trying to keep the public safe from reckless drivers.

Ooooooh! That makes me sooo mad! Ug!