Police surveillance tower put up on the main street of my city...

[Reason]

Police surveillance tower put up on the main street of my city.

I called the police dept to ask about it and was refused any specific information as to why it was placed there.

I was told that it is there for "a reason" and is a major deterrent to crime so why should I have a problem with it?

Here are some pics of what it looks like that I found online.

I will take some pics of it in person when I get a chance.

According to this article

These were designed for deployed military forces.

Oh, and in case you hadn't guessed already... DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY PAID FOR IT (THE OFFICER ON THE PHONE SPECIFICALLY TOLD ME THIS AND SOUNDED PROUD TO SAY IT)

 

[Sandman33]

WHAT THE FUCK??

Start telling ALL your neighbors, and going to EVERY church you can with information about it. See if they are as upset as you are.

An ANGRY populace is the only thing they will listen too.

 

[Kotin]

wtf man... they keep building up the infrastructure, little by little..

 

[Reason]

The tower that I am speaking about is actually referenced in the article I linked above when it talks about,

" We’re told that the El Cajon police use a similar tower at Westfield Parkway Plaza shopping mall to “monitor crowds.”"

Apparently this tower is normally over by the mall but has been moved to the main street just within the last few days.

 

[TCE]

I can't get over the whole camera taking pictures of a camera thing...

Seriously though, that's messed up. Your tax dollars (and China's) are paying for that Orwellian nightmare and they won't even tell you why it's there? Actually, isn't "deterring crime" the answer? Either way, there may be a state law that forbids them from prosecuting anyone if an officer isn't present. I know there is a law like that in Illinois.

 

[Reason]

Here is an article from the local area talking about the purchase of another one of these towers.

 

[Objectivist]

I see HYDRAULICS and I see a trailer HITCH.... hint, hint.

Is that an electrical connection?

Anyone wanna play paintball?

 

[amy31416]

What the hell? That is unacceptable!

 

[ronpaulfollower999]

But...only wrong doers have to be worried, right?

 

[Anti Federalist]

I see HYDRAULICS and I see a trailer HITCH.... hint, hint.

Is that an electrical connection?

Anyone wanna play paintball?

I was thinking along the lines of "tipping over the lifeguard stand."

 

[LibForestPaul]

This isn't for deterring crime. A small camer is all that is needed. A hidden camera to catch and prosecute. The inside is a command post. It appears to be bullet proof with gun hole. That seems more along the lines of "crowd" control.

 

[Dr.3D]

This isn't for deterring crime. A small camer is all that is needed. A hidden camera to catch and prosecute. The inside is a command post. It appears to be bullet proof with gun hole. That seems more along the lines of "crowd" control.

I see FLIR mounted on top too. Can't sneak up on it in the dark.

 

[Johnnybags]

What city? I prefer this

instead: The Chavez blimp.http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSN1935089920070419

 

[tron paul]

http://www.google.com/search?q=HOMEMADE+THERMITE

Results 1 - 10 of about 585,000 for HOMEMADE THERMITE. (0.06 seconds)

 

[angelatc]

The spineless French spray painted and otherwise destroyed every camera their government tried to put up until the government gave up.

The French!

Totally paintball, but don't buy supplies in your neighborhood, over the 'net or with a credit card. Cash only.

 

[Dr.3D]

The spineless French spray painted and otherwise destroyed every camera their government tried to put up until the government gave up.

The French!

Totally paintball, but don't buy supplies in your neighborhood, over the 'net or with a credit card. Cash only.

There are guys with guns inside that thing.

 

[Anti Federalist]

There are guys with guns inside that thing.

Yeah, but I still get her point.

The feckless French FFS spray paint and vandalize their cameras.

The fluoridated fools fearing their own shadows here can't muster that Moxie.

 

[angelatc]

There are guys with guns inside that thing.

All the time? I don't know why I thought it would only be staffed for specific events.

Yes, that changes things. Maybe have a car accident is the solution.

 

[roho76]

Is that a case of beer sitting on the wheel well. *Bait*

This isn't for deterring crime. A small camer is all that is needed. A hidden camera to catch and prosecute. The inside is a command post. It appears to be bullet proof with gun hole. That seems more along the lines of "crowd" control.

I wouldn't want to be up there when an angry crowd was gathering.

 

[Dr.3D]

Here is the product brochure for that thing.
http://www.icxt.com/uploads/file/products/flyers/TP_SkyWatch trifold_031009.pdf