The nation's most closely watched city
Reporting from Lancaster, Pa. -- This historic town, where America's founding fathers plotted during the Revolution and Milton Hershey later crafted his first chocolates, now boasts another distinction. It may become the nation's most closely watched small city.
Some 165 closed-circuit TV cameras soon will provide live, round-the-clock scrutiny of nearly every street, park and other public space used by the 55,000 residents and the town's many tourists.
Perhaps most surprising, the near-saturation surveillance of a community that saw four murders last year has sparked little public debate about whether the benefits for law enforcement outweigh the loss of privacy. "Years ago, there's no way we could do this," said Keith Sadler, Lancaster's police chief. "It brings to mind Big Brother, George Orwell and '1984.' It's just funny how Americans have softened on these issues."
"No one talks about it," agreed Scott Martin, a Lancaster County commissioner who wants to expand the program. "Because people feel safer. Those who are law-abiding citizens, they don't have anything to worry about."
Hundreds of municipalities -- including Los Angeles and at least 36 other California cities -- have built or expanded camera networks since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. In most cases, Department of Homeland Security grants helped cover the cost.
Full Story: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-spycam-city21-2009jun21,0,3641451.story
Yes it is surprising how many Americans have softened on these types of issues. It is also surprising how many Americans willingly sell out their freedoms for security. And of course these nanny-staters keep using the same tired argument like Mr. Scott Martin above saying: "Those who are law-abiding citizens, they don't have anything to worry about." Don't these fools know the price they are going to pay for getting rid of their freedoms? I believe Benjamin Franklin said it best: "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
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