Big Brother is shouting at you

Last updated at 21:02pm on 16th September 2006

 

Big Brother is not only watching you - now he's barking orders too. Britain's first 'talking' CCTV cameras have arrived, publicly berating bad behaviour and shaming offenders into acting more responsibly.

 

The system allows control room operators who spot any anti-social acts - from dropping litter to late-night brawls - to send out a verbal warning: 'We are watching you'.

 

Middlesbrough has fitted loudspeakers on seven of its 158 cameras in an experiment already being hailed as a success. Jack Bonner, who manages the system, said: 'It is one hell of a deterrent. It's one thing to know that there are CCTV cameras about, but it's quite another when they loudly point out what you have just done wrong.

 

'Most people are so ashamed and embarrassed at being caught they quickly slink off without further trouble.

 

'There was one incident when two men started fighting outside a nightclub. One of the control room operators warned them over the loudspeakers and they looked up, startled, stopped fighting and scarpered in opposite directions.

 

'This isn't about keeping tabs on people, it's about making the streets safer for the law-abiding majority and helping to change the attitudes of those who cause trouble. It challenges unacceptable behaviour and makes people think twice.'

 

The Mail on Sunday watched as a cyclist riding through a pedestrian area was ordered to stop.

 

'Would the young man on the bike please get off and walk as he is riding in a pedestrian area,' came the command.

 

The surprised youth stopped, and looked about. A look of horror spread across his face as he realised the voice was referring to him.

 

He dismounted and wheeled his bike through the crowded streets, as instructed.

 

Law-abiding shopper Karen Margery, 40, was shocked to hear the speakers spring into action as she walked past them.

 

Afterwards she said: 'It's quite scary to realise that your every move could be monitored - it really is like Big Brother.

 

'But Middlesbrough does have a big problem with anti-social behaviour, so it is very reassuring.'

 

The scheme has been introduced by Middlesbrough mayor Ray Mallon, a former police superintendent who was dubbed Robocop for pioneering the zero-tolerance approach to crime.

 

He believes the talking cameras will dramatically cut not just anti-social behaviour, but violent crime, too.

 

And if the city centre scheme proves a success, it will be extended into residential areas.

 

The control room operators have been given strict guidelines about what commands they can give. Yelling 'Oi you, stop that', is not permitted.

 

Instead, their instructions make the following suggestions: 'Warning - you are being monitored by CCTV - Warning - you are in an alcohol-free zone, please refrain from drinking'; and Warning - your behaviour is being monitored by CCTV. It is being recorded and the police are attending.'

 

Mr Bonner said: 'We always make the requests polite, and if the offender obeys, the operator adds 'thank you'. We think that's a nice finishing touch.

 

'It would appear that the offenders are the only ones who find the audio cameras intrusive. The vast majority of people welcome these cameras.

 

'Put it this way, we never have requests to remove them.'

 

But civil rights campaigners have argued that the talking cameras are no 'magic bullet', in the fight against crime.

 

Liberty spokesman Doug Jewell said: 'None of us likes litterbugs or yobs playing up on a Saturday night, but talking CCTV cameras are no substitute for police officers on the beat.'

Wow, just wow.

Thank God for the Constitution.....I think.....

Wow....

"Dave Chappelle, thats not your wife."

 

seriously though thats creepy. i think the "thank you" just makes it worse.

First they banned every single gun in the UK, and now this. What's next?

First they banned every single gun in the UK, and now this. What's next?

First they banned every single gun in the UK, and now this. What's next?

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah everyone and their mother having a gun in this country has worked out real well.

 

 

 

 

Take a look at this country's violent crime statistics compared to less gun friendly ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your in for the shock of your life when you go to boot camp kid.

First they banned every single gun in the UK, and now this. What's next?

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah everyone and their mother having a gun in this country has worked out real well.

 

 

 

 

Take a look at this country's violent crime statistics compared to less gun friendly ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your in for the shock of your life when you go to boot camp kid.

Actually, it has worked out very well. It has guaranteed our independence and every right that we enjoy as American's. The mere knowledge that America is gun friendly has thwarted invasions in the past, I believe it was Admiral Yamamoto the military commander of Japanese forces in WW2 who said "We cannot invade mainland America, there will be a rifle behind every blade of grass." Millions of rapes, murders, muggings, assaults, and other violent crimes are prevented every single year by law abiding citizens who legally exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a look at our crime statistics compared to less gun friendly country's? You're speaking off baseless assumptions of what you think is true and nothing more when in reality, you are dead wrong. If you think the UK, Australia, and other places with extremely strict gun control are some sort of peaceful utopia's, you're in for a rude awakening. Violent crime went through the roof after their gun control laws went into effect. Why? Because criminals were given a guarantee by the government that their victims will be unarmed and not able to fight back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for me being in the shock of my life when I go to boot, uhh newsflash: that's the point of boot - tear you down and then rebuild you into a United States Marine. Were you trying to offend me or something - because it didn't work. 3 months of hell for a lifetime of pride? Gladly.

Not even Michael Moore thinks guns should be taken away in Bowling for Columbine. What he says is education is the key. Canada has the lowest amount of crimes around comparitively to other countries even though guns are legal there. It is the culture not the fact there are guns around.

Not even Michael Moore thinks guns should be taken away in Bowling for Columbine. What he says is education is the key. Canada has the lowest amount of crimes around comparitively to other countries even though guns are legal there. It is the culture not the fact there are guns around.

 

 

Agreed.

 

We could also do a better job enforcing illegal guns, etc (I don't know how, but there's gotta' be a way).

We could probably do a much better job of trying not be a violent culture in general. I think that plays a lot into it.

We could probably do a much better job of trying not be a violent culture in general. I think that plays a lot into it.

 

 

Change your stance or I'll shoot you!

 

I dunno, I like some of our violent culture. If you're talking about Grand Theft Auto, or enjoying a mindless action flick I don't like it. I like the freedom to have guns in video games and fantasies and not to have that overlap with my actual life.

 

I don't know what the problem is, but I don't think it's entertainment, if that's what you're talking about.

Naw, I don't have a problem with entertainment. I'm of the frame of mind that it'll only have an effect on you if you let it. Too many people let it, that's the problem I think.

Naw, I don't have a problem with entertainment. I'm of the frame of mind that it'll only have an effect on you if you let it. Too many people let it, that's the problem I think.

 

 

So, it's nurture not nature. Everyone needs to learn how to be better parents, then.

 

Agreed.

First they banned every single gun in the UK, and now this. What's next?

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah everyone and their mother having a gun in this country has worked out real well.

 

 

 

 

Take a look at this country's violent crime statistics compared to less gun friendly ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your in for the shock of your life when you go to boot camp kid.

Actually, it has worked out very well. It has guaranteed our independence and every right that we enjoy as American's. The mere knowledge that America is gun friendly has thwarted invasions in the past, I believe it was Admiral Yamamoto the military commander of Japanese forces in WW2 who said "We cannot invade mainland America, there will be a rifle behind every blade of grass." Millions of rapes, murders, muggings, assaults, and other violent crimes are prevented every single year by law abiding citizens who legally exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a look at our crime statistics compared to less gun friendly country's? You're speaking off baseless assumptions of what you think is true and nothing more when in reality, you are dead wrong. If you think the UK, Australia, and other places with extremely strict gun control are some sort of peaceful utopia's, you're in for a rude awakening. Violent crime went through the roof after their gun control laws went into effect. Why? Because criminals were given a guarantee by the government that their victims will be unarmed and not able to fight back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for me being in the shock of my life when I go to boot, uhh newsflash: that's the point of boot - tear you down and then rebuild you into a United States Marine. Were you trying to offend me or something - because it didn't work. 3 months of hell for a lifetime of pride? Gladly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ive already served my country. Listening to some young punk who hasnt even sniffed a drop of reality talk like he's knows everything there is to know about life makes me want to puke.

 

 

I just cant ignore all your know it all bullsh*t anymore and bite my tongue. I've watched you verbally thrash posters on this board because they didnt buy into your sh*t.

 

 

I never said guns should be illegal. But a system where convicted felons can get guns like its a pack of gum is a flawed system.

 

This will all make sense to you after you get your face stuffed in the mud and your Drill Instructor knocks that spoiled brat smile off of your face.

 

 

 

Have a nice night.

First they banned every single gun in the UK, and now this. What's next?

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah everyone and their mother having a gun in this country has worked out real well.

 

 

 

 

Take a look at this country's violent crime statistics compared to less gun friendly ones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your in for the shock of your life when you go to boot camp kid.

Actually, it has worked out very well. It has guaranteed our independence and every right that we enjoy as American's. The mere knowledge that America is gun friendly has thwarted invasions in the past, I believe it was Admiral Yamamoto the military commander of Japanese forces in WW2 who said "We cannot invade mainland America, there will be a rifle behind every blade of grass." Millions of rapes, murders, muggings, assaults, and other violent crimes are prevented every single year by law abiding citizens who legally exercise their 2nd Amendment rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take a look at our crime statistics compared to less gun friendly country's? You're speaking off baseless assumptions of what you think is true and nothing more when in reality, you are dead wrong. If you think the UK, Australia, and other places with extremely strict gun control are some sort of peaceful utopia's, you're in for a rude awakening. Violent crime went through the roof after their gun control laws went into effect. Why? Because criminals were given a guarantee by the government that their victims will be unarmed and not able to fight back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for me being in the shock of my life when I go to boot, uhh newsflash: that's the point of boot - tear you down and then rebuild you into a United States Marine. Were you trying to offend me or something - because it didn't work. 3 months of hell for a lifetime of pride? Gladly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ive already served my country. Listening to some young punk who hasnt even sniffed a drop of reality talk like he's knows everything there is to know about life makes me want to puke.

 

 

I just cant ignore all your know it all bullsh*t anymore and bite my tongue. I've watched you verbally thrash posters on this board because they didnt buy into your sh*t.

 

 

I never said guns should be illegal. But a system where convicted felons can get guns like its a pack of gum is a flawed system.

 

This will all make sense to you after you get your face stuffed in the mud and your Drill Instructor knocks that spoiled brat smile off of your face.

 

 

 

Have a nice night.

Thank you for your service. When did you serve and which branch?

 

You never said guns should be illegal, but what you said sure made it seem like that's what you were implying. And convicted felons cannot legally purchase a gun, once you have been convicted of a felony your right to own a firearm is taken away for life. The only way a felon can obtain a gun is purchasing one on the black market or stealing one.

 

As for the rest of the comments that weren't exactly along positive lines, i'll simply ignore those because i'm not going to talk down to a veteran.

Holy 1984.

Not even Michael Moore thinks guns should be taken away in Bowling for Columbine. What he says is education is the key. Canada has the lowest amount of crimes around comparitively to other countries even though guns are legal there. It is the culture not the fact there are guns around.

 

 

Agreed.

 

We could also do a better job enforcing illegal guns, etc (I don't know how, but there's gotta' be a way).

 

If you want to blame the violent crime culture that is the youth of America, blame rap music.... or better yet, blame the parents who allow their kids to listen to that garbage. When you've got kids who idolize people like Tupac and 50 Cent and look up to them as if they were some sort of god and the lyrics in the music was gospel straight out of the bible, what does everyone honestly expect?

 

Back in the 40's, 50's, and 60's there was a gun in every household, crime was at an all time low, kids were active members of their high school rifle marksmanship teams, every kid got a .22 rifle for his birthday, and people carried .38 revolvers like it was no big deal. Back then morals, respect, and integrity actually meant something. There was no gangsta rap culture back then, you didn't hear Elvis singing about capping bitches with his glock fohtay.

 

Guns are literally the foundation of this country and have played a major role in American society ever since with very few laws governing them, yet it wasn't until the past two or so decades where crime has become a serious problem and serious and very restrictive gun control laws were established, and crime has only risen since the laws went into effect.

Blame rap music? What are you, a 58 year old mother?

Blame rap music? What are you, a 58 year old mother?

 

LOL, I actually had "I bet someone is going to say i'm an old fogey, but....." in my post but I edited it out. I'm not saying blame rap music per se, but the more along the lines of the whole culture that surrounds it.

Not even Michael Moore thinks guns should be taken away in Bowling for Columbine. What he says is education is the key. Canada has the lowest amount of crimes around comparitively to other countries even though guns are legal there. It is the culture not the fact there are guns around.

 

 

Agreed.

 

We could also do a better job enforcing illegal guns, etc (I don't know how, but there's gotta' be a way).

 

If you want to blame the violent crime culture that is the youth of America, blame rap music.... or better yet, blame the parents who allow their kids to listen to that garbage. When you've got kids who idolize people like Tupac

have you ever really listened to tupac more than noting he was an angry black man in some old interviews? have you ever listened to any hip hop artist outside of the garbage they play to death on MTV and BET?

Not even Michael Moore thinks guns should be taken away in Bowling for Columbine. What he says is education is the key. Canada has the lowest amount of crimes around comparitively to other countries even though guns are legal there. It is the culture not the fact there are guns around.

 

 

Agreed.

 

We could also do a better job enforcing illegal guns, etc (I don't know how, but there's gotta' be a way).

 

If you want to blame the violent crime culture that is the youth of America, blame rap music.... or better yet, blame the parents who allow their kids to listen to that garbage. When you've got kids who idolize people like Tupac

have you ever really listened to tupac more than noting he was an angry black man in some old interviews? have you ever listened to any hip hop artist outside of the garbage they play to death on MTV and BET?

Again, like I clarified above, i'm not blaming rap music per sey, but the whole gang culture that surrounds it.

If you want to blame the violent crime culture that is the youth of America, blame rap music.... or better yet, blame the parents who allow their kids to listen to that garbage.

Rock fans blame rap music, rap fans blame rock music. Neither is to blame.....it's country!

 

In all seriousness, the latter part of what I quoted is half right. It's the parents fault alright, but not for letting their kids listen to the music. No, they're just not educating their kids properly. Music doesn't kill people, other people do (and natural disasters).

Thanks Juanky.

 

I was going to say, yeah you can blame rap music and their guns, but then what about all the other crazy crackers with guns? Like the dude who shot Dimebag Darryl (Jesus, I referenced THAT) or any of those crazy white militant groups...

 

It's tough to say what's to blame. I can't just blame rap, or that culture, because obviously it's seeped in outside of that one area into it's exact opposite extreme.