Federal Way Surveillance Cameras Move Closer to “Surveillance Society”

As has been true with other cities launching camera surveillance programs, Federal Way, Washington is experiencing a bit of controversy as they begin to monitor the city through 27 brand-new cameras. Although the cameras have already helped to identify a robber’s SUV and led to an assault conviction, the Washington chapter of the ACLU has been a vocal opponent of the system, calling it one step closer to creating a “surveillance society.”

As well as some complaints about government intrusion into citizen’s privacy, camera surveillance has not yet proven to be either a crime deterrent or to significantly reduce crime in any area where it has been implemented. So the debate rages on.

Source: http://www.thenewstribune.com/front/topphoto/story/755265.html

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Microsoft Launches Map-based Social Networking

All Points Blog published a story today about Microsoft’s new social networking tool, Vine. Although the new tool can be used for regular social networking, Microsoft is concentrating on its features as a new and information tool for local governments. The tool consists of a map and a twitter-like feed, that can both pinpoint and provide information about emergencies in the area or simply provide information about local events, ordinances, etc. For more details on Vine, check out Mashable and The Seattle Times (where the service is currently in beta testing).

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Local TV Station Maps Car Theft Hot Spots

A reporter at KEPR, the Pasco, Washington CBS affiliate, recently took crime data into her own hands and created a car theft crime map. The map highlighted areas of the city where car thefts, prowls, and burglaries are highest. When presented with the map, the local police denied the significance of the data on the map, and chalked it up to population density. If you go to the KEPR website, you can read or watch a video of the story.

Did the reporter identify a hotspot, or are the police right? Leave a comment.

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Crime Reporting in Everett, WA

The Everett Washington PD has recently joined the trend of police departments that have created online report filing systems for non-emergencies like minor theft, vandalism, etc. These types of systems free up officers’ time form more important violent crimes and allows citizens to do the reports form the comfort of their own home which is useful for citizens who may not have the time or means to come file a report in person, and have subsequently avoided ding so in the past.

You can access the service by going to the Everett PD website and, under the “How Do I?” section, click “…file on line report?”

Although the Everett PD is not a part of the CrimeReports system, we applaud their effort to forge a better relationship between citizens and law enforcement.

You can read Casey McNertheny’s original report here.