It appears investigators solved an overnight mystery.
Residents in one downtown Atlanta community called police after they noticed at least two cameras mounted on street lamps near businesses close to West Peachtree and Baltimore Place. The residents said the cameras seemed to focus on the Atlanta skyline.
On Friday, investigators released a statement saying five people taken into custody in connection with the cameras did not appear to be involved in any crimminal activity.
FBI News Release:
"Regarding the suspicious cameras found in the downtown area of Atlanta, The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with the U.S. Secret Service, Immigration and Naturalization Service and Atlanta Police Department have conducted a thorough preliminary investigation. The individuals involved do not appear to have been involved in any criminal or terroristic activities."
Authorities said Georgia Traffic Incorporated planned to use the cameras in a study of seven interesections. The men taken into custody were doing their job.
"http://wxiatv.com/local/local_top_story.asp?storyid=10404
Whew.....Now we know...the rest of the story.
At least the Atlanta chapter.
If it was terrorists, they would have just rented a room with a view in the days before an attack.
With the red-light-running scenerio placing cameras about, and the populace getting EXTREMELY upset at them, this is as good a story as any.
However, in Indianapolis, at East 10th Street and Mitthoffer, there are 4 cameras pointed at traffic: exactly into the front window of a vehicle sitting stopped at the light.
There have been NO cover stories floated, but my TFHT is that face recog software is being used there. (It's close to a fairly high crime area)