The Voice of Reason

I'm all for it as should everyone that has nothing to hide, or isn't up to no good. I'd like to see a few stats and wonder how long it would take the criminals to find a way to beat it, but I think its a great idea. You know that old saying, " An ounce of prevention,"! They,[City of Cleveland] along with the feds, can spend $327 million on the Euclid Corridor, why not a little security, or feeling of security to go along with it.

Cameras would be a great way to catch and stop police brutality. But I think important safeguards should be set up before hand, like having a civilian review board, and the ability of the public to see the cameras, like on a website, so that the information could be viewed by all, in cases of police violating the civil rights of anti-war protesters, as they are sometimes prone to do, and use the tapes agains them in court if necessary. Incidentally many police departments across the nation are against the security cameras. But again, I'm fine with it, so long as safeguards are built in like review boards and access to the public.

Yes, Gorbash, you can have your "civilian review board"....and while you're at it, a board to monitor the civilian reviewers, just in case one of them might actually know a cop or two in their personal life. Wouldn't want the conflict of interest to prevent justice for the RAMPANT police brutality that you speak of..... ;-P

I don't know if I'd make all the cameras really conspicuous, but there would be signs posted on each corner reminding people that the cameras are watching.

Someone needs to police the police, because no one wants to do it. I have personally been threatened by police for handing out anti war fliers, and posters to citizens, and have even been threatened with arrest and beating with a Permit! So I am all for security cameras, so long as their are responsible people in charge, not a "blue code of silence" to hide injustice. Everyone should be able to view the cameras, not just police, the CCTV should be broadcast on the web so we the citizens can see what is happening in our own society and streets and take responsibility for safety and security.

And why are the Police Departments across the country against this? I have a theory, but most could probably guess what that theory is.

You're free to move out of this "bottom feed" state if you wish. No one's stopping you.

girlscout,

And your point is? I quite aware of what I can do?

Mrrick- Yes I am aware that most of the time if a citizen behaves in a civil manner they will be ok. The problem is when we act well within our rights, such as protesting the illegal, immoral, and foolish war in Iraq and the police threaten to beat or kill us because they disagree with our political idealogy. That is the main reason why I support CCTV, because it helps protect citizens from evil and dirty cops. Some cops want to beat up homosexuals because they are homophobic or right wing Christians, others hate and want to unlawfully arrest peaceful protesters, or some political or religious group because they don't like them. That is also why the CCTV should be able to be viewed by everyone, once it is the public will see what is ACTUALLY going on in the streets of this country, the stuff the right wing media won't show you because they don't want to offend their corporate sponsors.

Realitychk: I explained how cameras could have a positive effect on the city's economy. If citizens feel safer, they'll come to the city to shop, eat, etc. Do you believe that crime DOESN'T keep some "suburbanites" from doing business in Cleveland? I've got news for you....

And as far as terrorists not caring about Ohio, do you remember when the FBI arrested some Middle Eastern folks who were trying to buy explosives, and just happened to have detailed blueprints of a mall (I don't think they ever released WHICH mall) in Columbus, Ohio? If you really think terrorists are ONLY interested in NY & Washington: Again, you're making a fool of yourself. What better way to strike fear into a populace than hit them in the heartland, especially the state that put GWB over the top in the last presidential election??? Osama released a tape days before the election proclaiming that "blue states" would be spared the next attack. It doesn't matter if he was serious or not; terror attacks are meant to send messages. The dead innocents are just part of that message. Al Qaeda couldn't care less how many actually die.

And I would also like to comment on the Ohio factor with the terrorists.
Have people not realized Ohio is full of targets? Lake Erie is a natural fresh water lake. Thats one target. Target two is the power plant out by Toledo. Also in Oberlin is the Radar center which covers this half of the country. And to mention, they are the ones who picked up on the flight for 911 that went down in PA, in which it had gone over Cleveland before turning around.
There are many targets in Ohio. Those people will stop at nothing to destroy any thing in our lives.
I may sound like a nut for saying this next comment. I have 4 kids. There are 6 of us in my home all together. I have backpacks made for each one of us, ready to grab in a moments notice. Everyone in my home knows a verbal plan on if there is an emergancy, where to meet and how to communicate. The back packs are ment for single survival, and used together as a unit will as help us function through most emergancies. I know it sounds nuts. I have always thought about that, but put the plans in motion when we had the black out that hot August day.
And I'd also like to say, I heard on the radio this morning, Ohio has been included on the hot list for the next two years for terror plots.