Comments on: Sydney City Coucil says no to extra police access to spy cameras http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/2009/09/02/sydney-city-coucil-says-no-to-spy-cameras/ A civil discussion of policing, libertarian thought, civil liberties and the media Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:07:37 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Amy http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/2009/09/02/sydney-city-coucil-says-no-to-spy-cameras/comment-page-1/#comment-16 Amy Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:57:29 +0000 http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/?p=74#comment-16 hmmm yes I agree with you about the powers already being there (in itself worrying). Also, the implication of that is that the vast majority of people will never have to worry about the cameras (which I think is probably correct). However, what about the cases where a judge might not be willing to give a warrant? I'm thinking about political organising here. Also - even though a judge would probably grant a warrant on this one - as the Building and construction union has pointed out, in cases of association between union officials and building workers (who have no protected right to meet privately but might not otherwise be caught out)? hmmm yes I agree with you about the powers already being there (in itself worrying). Also, the implication of that is that the vast majority of people will never have to worry about the cameras (which I think is probably correct).

However, what about the cases where a judge might not be willing to give a warrant? I’m thinking about political organising here.

Also – even though a judge would probably grant a warrant on this one – as the Building and construction union has pointed out, in cases of association between union officials and building workers (who have no protected right to meet privately but might not otherwise be caught out)?

]]> By: Tony http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/2009/09/02/sydney-city-coucil-says-no-to-spy-cameras/comment-page-1/#comment-15 Tony Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:44:41 +0000 http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/?p=74#comment-15 I suppose so, but the Police just dont have the manpower or time to be trolling through hours of footage just on the off chance that some evidence or intel can be found. Theres nothing to stop the city of Sydney council from employing people to do just that and then pass the information on to the Police, but again it would be costly and time consuming. Even if they had legislated power to scan all footage I dont think they'd bother - not enough return for the effort. As it stands now if the police are interested in a certain area or person they will present their reasons to a magistrate who will (most times) issue a warrant to seize the video. So what i'm trying to say is that the power is really already there, its just not a direct legislated power. I suppose so, but the Police just dont have the manpower or time to be trolling through hours of footage just on the off chance that some evidence or intel can be found. Theres nothing to stop the city of Sydney council from employing people to do just that and then pass the information on to the Police, but again it would be costly and time consuming. Even if they had legislated power to scan all footage I dont think they’d bother – not enough return for the effort. As it stands now if the police are interested in a certain area or person they will present their reasons to a magistrate who will (most times) issue a warrant to seize the video. So what i’m trying to say is that the power is really already there, its just not a direct legislated power.

]]> By: gilbertocintron http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/2009/09/02/sydney-city-coucil-says-no-to-spy-cameras/comment-page-1/#comment-13 gilbertocintron Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:33:24 +0000 http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/?p=74#comment-13 Bravo, I think this is a great idea Bravo, I think this is a great idea

]]> By: Amy http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/2009/09/02/sydney-city-coucil-says-no-to-spy-cameras/comment-page-1/#comment-12 Amy Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:15:42 +0000 http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/?p=74#comment-12 Hmmm, yes, but even if it is out of laziness that doesn't mean that it's not a slow creep towards greater powers.. Hmmm, yes, but even if it is out of laziness that doesn’t mean that it’s not a slow creep towards greater powers..

]]> By: Tony http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/2009/09/02/sydney-city-coucil-says-no-to-spy-cameras/comment-page-1/#comment-11 Tony Thu, 03 Sep 2009 01:11:53 +0000 http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/?p=74#comment-11 I'm not sure I agree with the slippery slope argument. It sounds to me like to Police were trying to circumvent the need to get a warrant every time they wanted to view footage of certain areas or people. In my experience the cops are more lazy than over zealous. I’m not sure I agree with the slippery slope argument. It sounds to me like to Police were trying to circumvent the need to get a warrant every time they wanted to view footage of certain areas or people. In my experience the cops are more lazy than over zealous.

]]> By: InnerCityTrendy http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/2009/09/02/sydney-city-coucil-says-no-to-spy-cameras/comment-page-1/#comment-10 InnerCityTrendy Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:52:11 +0000 http://www.civiltonguesaustralia.com/?p=74#comment-10 Absolutely. The very fact that the police have asked for access to them is a good reason to stop putting these cameras in. Absolutely. The very fact that the police have asked for access to them is a good reason to stop putting these cameras in.

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