D.C. police set to monitor 5,000 cameras
April 9, 2008

D.C. officials are giving police access to more than 5,000 closed-circuit TV cameras citywide that monitor traffic, schools and public housing — a move that will give the District one of the largest surveillance networks in the country.

"The primary benefit of what we're doing is for public health and safety," said Darrell Darnell, director of the city's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.

The Video Interoperability for Public Safety (VIPS) program will consolidate the more than 5,200 cameras operated by D.C. agencies — including D.C. Public Schools and the D.C. Housing Authority — into one network managed by the city's Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.

The program will allow agencies to share camera video feeds and provide the city with a network that is actively monitored and that Mr. Darnell said will operate "24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

Complete Washington Times Article

1984.

I predict that withing 10 years, people will have cameras in their homes. Not everyone, but someone convicted of something, or on parole, or whatever. Perhaps a city with overburdened child services will put cameras in the homes of parents suspected of poorly parenting.

It will happen. And once the foot is in the door, it will lead to worse things.

Just like Britain. Big brother.

Say hi to the camera :wave: Scarry.