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(A.K.A. Non-Original Rants)

–Co-opting good stuff from all over the ‘Net and maybe some original thoughts—ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒE

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Georgia police saying the quiet part out loud

Someone took out a Flock camera in Lumpkin County Georgia. Not crying about it. But the Sheriff, in a screed on Facebook said the following:

Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said the license plate reader was being used as a public safety tool, including to help alert authorities when registered sex offenders entered the park.

…

Jarrard said the damaged equipment will be replaced and that the new camera will have video capabilities that could help identify anyone who tries to tamper with it.

So by implication, he’s suggesting that the technology can be used not just for vehicles, but for people as well. And he’s saying that they, in order to get a heads-ups on sex offenders entering the park, have input the plate numbers and/or car descriptions of those registered offenders

I find it interesting that the police are defaulting to ‘stopping sex offenders’ or ‘finding people with dementia’ with absolutely no proof or numbers at all to back up their claims that they use to justify spying on the populace. They just toss out numbers like throwing spaghetti at a wall to see what might stick.

There is, however, growing real evidence of misuse by police officers and others.

No matter what ‘safeguards’ Flock, or newcomer Axion, put into place, spying is spying and people will find a way to misuse the ‘tools’ that they use taxpayer funds to purchase.

And I think the good people of Lumpkin County need a new sheriff.

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Midwest Chick

12 responses to “Georgia police saying the quiet part out loud”

  1. TRoy Avatar
    TRoy

    Funny how you never hear about these mysterious awesome unverified anecdotal cases that were supposedly prosecuted until they are on defense in arguments about their new toys. Records and numbers or it didn’t happen. We are certain about the abuses, but the “good” parts seem hard to verify.

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  2. boneman1959 Avatar
    boneman1959

    It’s amazing how all of these cameras are installed “quietly under-the-radar” without even so much as a peep to the Citizenry….

    And Law Enforcement…. those abusing them the MOST… are getting perturbed about them being “vandalized”….

    Since we didn’t get a chance to speak out about installation either at Council meetings or (heaven forbid!) at the polls, we’re left with no choice but to speak out in an irrefutable manner that will ENSURE the message is RECEIVED.

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  3. wildman Avatar
    wildman

    is there some reason sex offenders are actually on the street? and BTW, if they are being “monitored” why are they not wearing ankle monitors?

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  4. Joe H Avatar
    Joe H

    And how many sex offenders has this technology caught? Show us the prosecutions. Justify the spying.
    Otherwise it is just intrusive Big Brother.

    How much of your freedom are you willing to give up for “safety “?

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  5. B Avatar
    B

    There is something about cops that needs to spy on people, be it training or self selection for traits, they all are like the nosey neighbor that knows too much about you, and wants to find out more. This is, really, warrantless surveillance.

    They believe that being invasive of people’s privacy with no reason is somehow good.
    I believe it is about power and control.

    I think we need a “National FLOCK Damage” day. One day, tens of thousands of FLOCK cameras. (of course, I wouldn’t advocate any illegalities, YMMV, etc)

    Remember, these are the same people that spend many tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars for MRAP and other ex military vehicles so they can project power (and fear) when they wish.

    It isn’t about results or value for your tax money, it is about control over you.

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  6. MrHappy Avatar
    MrHappy

    If they dealt with sex offenders properly the first time they were encountered they wouldn’t have to monitor who goes into the park.

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  7. Flock Avatar
    Flock

    Other stories linked from that story. Such power in the magic blue uniform.

    Former Dallas police 911 director accused of Flock camera misuse
    3 Coweta sheriff’s employees resign amid Flock review
    Habersham County deputy fired, arrested for misuse of license plate data
    Two Flock Safety cameras damaged by fire near Albany
    Georgia cops’ alleged misuse of Flock license plate tracking data fuels privacy concerns
    3 Fayetteville officers fired for misusing license plate system
    Atlanta police auditing use of Flock license plate reader system

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  8. TRoy Avatar
    TRoy

    Mr Happy
    – Right on.

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  9. Gerry Avatar
    Gerry

    It’s for the children damn it!

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  10. Nemo Avatar
    Nemo

    @B It’s cops training, not that I know this first hand. However, the evidence is, I think, overwhelming that training is the source. They are told about guaranteed freedoms under the Constitution. Then they are “educated” in ways to subvert those freedoms; wink, wink, nod, nod.

    I say this because it’s prevalent at ALL levels of policing; local, state and federal. Just look at all of the crap that just the Eff Bee Eye, not to mention various state and local jurisdictions have put Trump through over the last ten years.

    Now turn all of that malfeasance against your self or someone you know that doesn’t have a smidgen of the resources that Trump has.

    They are ALSO trained that they are the ARBITRATORS of the law.

    I know this first hand from a couple of encounters with cops over my lifetime. When I’ve tried to point out that they were wrong their comeback is “are you lawyer? No? Pfft. You know nothing.”

    The other and more important problem is when cops are caught breaking the law, they are rarely punished. The only reason a very few are punished is because their crime is so egregious, their superiors hands are tied.

    This mostly goes back to sovereign immunity laws which were put in place to stop frivolous law suits against cops and their towns. cities and states and ultimately the taxpayers. Courts back the cops because cops are defacto “members of the court”.

    I know you’re a lawyer so your training and experience may point to other things. The statements above are based on what I observe over a lifetime spanning nearly 8 decades.

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  11. Phil B Avatar
    Phil B

    The argument about stopping pedophiles etc. is a straw man argument.

    Try this argument:

    “We are installing Flock cameras to prevent Tyrannosaurus Rex’ rampaging through the park”.

    “But there has never been a case of a Tyrannosaurus Rex rampaging through the park”.

    “It shows you just how effective they are, doesn’t it?”.

    Followed by “You can’t be too careful”.

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  12. Old NFO Avatar
    Old NFO

    Much like the Flocks that are only pointed at gun range roads, or gun range parking lots, but it’s for ‘traffic’ control… yeah, pull the other one, it’s got a bell on it!

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