Posted on 06/12/2022 2:03:06 PM PDT by DFG
Plans by the city of Houston to require businesses to install surveillance cameras ā and then give police access ā has drawn a warning letter from a second civil-rights organization.
WND reported in May when the Institute for Justice warned city officials the spy plans were unrealistic and illegal, because they would be in violation of the 4th Amendment.
Now the Rutherford Institute is raising related concerns.
The civil and religious rights organization said the city's "Exterior Security Cameras Ordinance" is nothing more than a "thinly veiled attempt to evade oversight and accountability for Fourth Amendment violations."
The ordinance was adopted in April and demands businesses install a citywide digital surveillance system that can be accessed by police without a search warrant.
The city is requiring that police be given access to the round-the-clock surveillance network whenever they ask.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
Pretty much all of Harris county is deep blue.
Even saw a few Beto for governor signs in Rice Village yesterday.
Don’t give them any ideas
Harris county votes not too far from about 50 50. Thats not deep blue. A lot of very red cities countering Houston.
Rice Village is a college area. Surprised you didn’t see wall to wall Beto signs.
Interesting...
Of course, my perspective is probably distorted by living midway (on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay) between DC & PG (to the southwest) and Baltimore (to the north) ...
The total absence of crime & corruption in both of those areas means that it’s hard to judge elsewhere...š
A $500 daily fine if cameras not functioning?
So if criminals destroy the cameras the business owner pays the fine and must buy new cameras?
No wonder the defund the police movement is growing.
Iād expect the cameras would also be used by police to pick up the patrons of a business and use them to suborn perjury against the business owner.
Then, they can charge and/or extort the business owner.
They are just copying the Feds SOP.
YES: and Yes:
You're on (Big Brother's) Candid Camera!
Dangerous Progressive city wants to be just like the Nazi-fied EU where there is a camera on every corner and building. Not only can they track your every move in the EU but they can remotely cite you for Climate Change Conspiracy Theory violations when you fart.
Nothing being taken. It’s a cost and condition of doing business. The US telecom companies had to build in backdoors for the government to snoop, as a condition of existence.
The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) is a statute enacted by Congress in 1994 to require that telecommunications carriers and manufacturers of telecommunications equipment design their equipment, facilities, and services to ensure that they have the necessary surveillance capabilities ...
Slightly more expensive form of the requirement to put up posters that describe government resources.
Note I am not defending it as right or just. My point is the government will abuse its power six ways to Sunday, and this is not a taking.
Well, I dunno.
The City council is 5 R to 11 D, Harris county commission is 2R to 3D. And the county judge is Linda Hidalgo.
But Houston is a fair sight better than Dallas, imho.
This is a high tech version of the Stasi.
“And the county judge is Linda Hidalgo.”
Hindalgo got swept in with the big blue wave in 2018. Rats were crazed to get out and vote against Trumpism and Trump voters stayed home, all fat and happy.
2020 Harris county is blue (2012-51%, 2016-54%, 2020-56%), but I don’t consider it deep blue unless they are like 3-1, up in mid 60’s percentage-wise or higher.
Been trying to explain that to all the people who vote to re-elect Amnesty Senators.....
Just wait until Sheila Jackson-Lee finds out. Her Highness will put a stop to that faster than you can say, “Don’t you know who I am?”
Cameras should be pointed at the the mayors home and city council members homes 24/7. Everyone would have access to view.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.