Once again, the glut of "homeland security" money coupled with the belief that anything controversial can be justified by saying "we're at war" rears its ugly head. Sad.
-rick Infowarrior.org >From today's Baltimore Sun: 24-hour camera surveillance in city is part of bigger plan By Doug Donovan Sun Staff >From the Inner Harbor to the Bay Bridge, local and state homeland security authorities are beginning to build a regional network of 24-hour surveillance cameras that will first go live this summer in Baltimore. The closed-circuit video surveillance system of public spaces will begin in the Inner Harbor by summer's end, and a $2 million federal grant accepted by the city yesterday will expand the cameras into downtown's west side by early November. "We're trying to build a regional network of cameras," said Dennis R. Schrader, director of homeland security for Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. What of privacy concerns raised by groups opposed to cameras constantly monitored by retired police officers or college students? "We're at war," Schrader said. The network is part of a comprehensive strategy in the Baltimore area to spend $25 million in homeland security grants this year and next to improve regional cooperation on terrorism concerns. The idea stemmed from a regional group of leaders that is jointly acquiring decontamination equipment and backups for 911 and power systems. < snip > http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-te.md.cameras10jun10,0,2211108.st ory?coll=bal-local-headlines -- You are a subscribed member of the infowarrior list. Visit www.infowarrior.org for list information or to unsubscribe. This message may be redistributed freely in its entirety. Any and all copyrights appearing in list messages are maintained by their respective owners.
