Mounting closed circuit TV cameras everywhere is much more of a British thing than an American one (so far). Now it’s becoming an interactive service.
Street offenders on Teesside are being shamed by “talking” CCTV cameras. Seven cameras in Middlesbrough town centre have a facility, which allows operators to bark orders at those involved in anti-social behaviour. Officials hope the additions to the town’s 160 cameras will help to further reduce street crime.
Barry Coppinger, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for community safety, said: “CCTV is making Middlesbrough safer and this added facility will make it more effective.
“For example, if an operative now sees someone dropping litter, they can tell them to pick it up, or if they see an incident starting to get out of hand, they can give advice that will hopefully nip it in the bud.
“I think that it will give people extra confidence as they go about their business and re-enforce the message that Middlesbrough is a place that is constantly thinking about community safety.”
Or it will reinforce the recollection that George Orwell was a Brit …
(via BoingBoing)