Keeping security forces in a suitable state of readiness, w/o creating inappropriate incidents can be a challenge.
1984, thirty years on. The majority of people today have accepted that we live in a total surveillance society, at least in terms of public spaces. Where we as individuals can get tripped up, is assuming this is a 2 way street.
I've heard that Taser had won some contracts from police departments recently for their ruggedized body-worn cameras. So, as a citizen, we can expect constant video surveillance in public. Digital privacy (internet and voice) have been well discussed in other threads. Realistically, we should expect zero privacy in those domains too. Not ranting here, just a statement.
So, the issue with cameras comes down to which way they are pointed, and when.
A little UnCommon sense is useful. While our RCMP here may encourage tourists to take pictures of our red serge coated Mounties on ceremonial duty, like any security force they have legitimate operations were they do not want their personnel, vehicles, and activities monitored.
At any border, someone getting out of their vehicle and trying to wander around a secure facility with a camera should expect to be met with an appropriately forceful response, and detailed questioning. You could not have a secure border otherwise. UnCommon Sense.
Where this can get confusing, is when you travel. I've heard of some USA jurisdiction passing general laws about recording images of LEOs in public. Like many people, when I travel I like to take pictures of my trip. If I'm taking a picture of a street scene I like, do I now have to be concerned if there is a uniformed police officer as part of the street scene ? Not something you want to stumble into, and could defeat the point of taking a vacation to "relax".
I'm obviously not thinking of high-security areas like a border crossing when I say this, but isn't the common response the odd time a citizen questions pervasive surveillance "Well, if you are not doing anything Wrong, what is your issue with having this in place ?" I guess the core of the question for me is - Does that apply to everybody occupying a public space ?
Where these laws apply, they need to be communicated better. It sounds like the US border services needs to come up with a clear Public Statement concerning dashcams. Then, the sign concerning that information needs to be erected on the Canadian side of the border. We Canucks obviously would co-operate on this, but as I grew up in Ottawa with an appreciation that it can take 6 months to get a doorknob changed on a govt project, threads like this will have to suffice for now.
Drive and 'cam safe/legal out there.
Rgds, D.
