FC: Update on facecams, red light cameras, and photo radar ruling

From: Declan McCullagh (declanat_private)
Date: Sun Aug 12 2001 - 16:03:49 PDT

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    Eric Lee Green and others sent along this link:
    http://www.sptimes.com/News/080801/TampaBay/_They_made_me_feel_li.shtml
    
    It says that Tampa police used an image of Rob Milliron, a local 
    construction worker caught on camera and not wanted for any crime, to 
    demonstrate the facecam system to reporters. After U.S. News and World 
    Report published the photograph, a woman erroneously reported Milliron as 
    wanted for child support, and police showed up at his job. The experience 
    of being interrogated by cops was quite pleasant, I'll bet.
    
    More articles:
    
    http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,1283,45950,00.html
    
        Reporters Scowl at Face Scanners
        By Declan McCullagh (declanat_private)
        2:00 a.m. Aug. 9, 2001 PDT
    
        WASHINGTON -- In an attempt to allay growing public concern, defenders
        of face-recognition software for video cameras gathered in the
        nation's capital on Wednesday.
    
        The stated purpose of the press conference: "To stop irresponsible
        grandstanding and fear-mongering, and to start an open and honest
        dialogue on the shaping of policies, which will ensure responsible
        use," in the words of the director of the Security Industry
        Association, Richard Chace.
    
        The effect: not much.
    
        [...]
    
    
    In the latest Washington City Paper, the local government columnist weighed 
    in on DC cops, cameras, and tickets:
    http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/lips/lips.html
    
    Also:
    
    http://www.sunspot.net/news/printedition/bal-ca.plates00aug12.story?coll=bal-pe-carroll
    License plate cameras raise privacy concerns
    2001-08-12 05:35:51
    
    http://www.detnews.com/2001/editorial/0108/12/a18-266863.htm
    Rigging traffic lights hurts safety
    2001-08-12 05:02:06
    
    -Declan
    
    *********
    
    From: "Diamond, Richard" <Richard.Diamondat_private>
    Subject: Oregon Supreme Court Rules Against photo radar
    Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2001 14:44:33 -0400
    
    If the state cannot find you guilty without proving you were actually the 
    driver, photo radar is dead in Oregon, despite their AG's comments.  A 
    similar Appeals court ruling completely killed photo radar in Alaska. This 
    is a great victory for the rule of law!
    
    Oregon Supreme Court Ruling 8/9/01
    <http://www.publications.ojd.state.or.us/S46559.htm>http://www.publications.ojd.state.or.us/S46559.htm 
    
    
    Alaska Appeals Court Ruling 1997
    <http://www.freedom.gov/auto/cases/akappeal.asp>http://www.freedom.gov/auto/cases/akappeal.asp 
    
    
    Richard Diamond
    Office of the Majority Leader
    US House of Representatives
    202-225-6007 / www.freedom.gov
    
    August 9, 2001, Thursday, BC cycle
    1:48 PM Eastern Time Associated Press
    High court overturns speeding ticket issued under photo radar law
    
    PORTLAND, Ore. -- The state Supreme Court on Thursday overturned the 
    conviction of a woman who was issued a $35 speeding ticket under the 
    state's photo radar law.
    
    The state attorney general's office said it does not appear the court 
    ruling throws the photo radar law into question.
    
    "It doesn't have anything to do with the constitutional issues of photo 
    radar," said Kristen Grainger, spokeswoman for the attorney general's office.
    
    [...]
    
    ********
    
    Date: Thu, 09 Aug 2001 10:14:55 -0400
    To: declanat_private
    From: Jonathan Gewirtz <nqnat_private>
    Subject: What happens when police are caught by speed-enforcement cameras?
    
    That's a reasonable question for DC officials. Police and other govt
    functionaries should be as accountable under law as the rest of us. Perhaps
    those new impartial cameras will generate an increased incidence of traffic
    tickets against drivers who now get a pass out of professional courtesy. In
    such cases will officers be obliged to pay their fines, or will the system
    be discreetly reprogrammed to ignore official license numbers? The latter
    outcome would be fundamentally unfair, yet seems possible if this question
    is not debated publicly.
    
    ********
    
    
    
    
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