Health care case adds pressure for cameras in Supreme Court

Now that the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a dispute over the federal health care law, the justices are facing the strongest challenge to their ban on televised hearings.Members of Congress and news industry leaders have asked the court to allow the televising of oral arguments, to be held over five and a half hours during two days in March.A USA TODAY/Gallup Poll found that 72% of the people surveyed think the justices should allow cameras for those arguments. Several polls in the past decade have shown majority support for televising the court's arguments, in general.

The pressure from Congress, which included a Senate hearing last week on legislation that would require the televising of most arguments, and from outside interests following the health care case, could present a turning point in breaking down justices' resistance to cameras."I can't think of another case in recent years, except Bush v. Gore, that has generated so much public interest," says Sally Rider, former administrative assistant to Chief Justices William Rehnquist and John Roberts and now a University of Arizona law professor, referring to the 2000 Florida election case.How Spy Cams Make Life More Expedient  ?

"Now that I'm away from the court," Rider added, "it's incredible how often I hear people talk about wanting to see oral arguments. When they find out they're not on TV, they are shocked." Yet Rider cautioned that the justices might think if they say yes to televising the health care controversy, they would be pressured to open other arguments."I think it's inevitable that we'll have cameras in the court. The question is when," says New York University law professor Barry Friedman, who studies the judiciary and public attitudes. "This case would be a wonderful, object lesson in the work of the court."

What everyone ought to know about choosing a security cameras

What everyone ought to know about choosing a security cameras

The best security cameras come in a variety of models with different features and options. Optimally, the best camera system should be one which contains the best in video quality, internal storage, ease of use, control, motion detection, infrared, PTZ and internet streaming. However, a single camera having all these functions can be expensive. Moreover, even if you buy a high-end model with all the features, you should realize that you may not even use all the features. Therefore when searching for the bestsecurity cameras it is important to first consider your needs.

Probably, the first option that you should ask yourself is whether you will be requiring a digital (IP) camera, an analog camera or a mix of both. You should keep in mind that the video and image quality provided by digital camera is usually much better than what any analog system would be able to produce. However, some analog cameras still tend to come with the best panning, tilting and zooming capabilities which are hard to match by any current IP camera. As such, if your focus is on video clarity, the best security camera for your needs may be an IP camera; however, if you require greater control over your camera, an analog camera may be better.

Another factor that might determine your preference of the best security cameras is the amount of storage you require your security system to be capable of. Motion to drop astronaut's moon camera lawsuit denied .Generally, storage of analog systems requires heavily priced equipment and their playback capabilities can be quite limited. On the other hand, IP cameras do not require any equipment other than a computer for video storage. They can store as much video as you require and for as long as you require. Also you can quite economically increase the computer's hard disk to increase storage duration.

Palm Desert Public Safety Commission subcommittee eyes more security cameras in public places

Palm Desert Public Safety Commission subcommittee eyes more security cameras in public places

A subcommittee of city staff, law enforcement, business owners and citizens will look further into the costs of placing security cameras in public places.A string of burglaries, a purse-snatching and a carjacking on El Paseo earlier this year prompted the city Public Safety Commission to explore putting the cameras along El Paseo as a way to deter crime.An initial report done by the city staff indicated more information is needed starting with where, if at all, cameras are needed.

Even though it was criminal activity along El Paseo that started the discussion, chairman Rick Lebel said at the commission's Sept. 14 meeting that he wants the subcommittee to look at other areas that could benefit.He pointed to University Dog Park, which was closed for several weeks after vandals toppled light poles, ripped out electrical and irrigation systems, stole copper wiring and damaged other parts of the facility on May 4, causing $42,000 worth of damage.What Home Spy Camera Do You Want ?

The subcommittee needs to decide if the benefits outweigh the costs of security cameras, which can only be done after camera locations are determined, said city risk manager Gary Rosenblum.“There are numerous streets from which people and vehicles can enter El Paseo. Do you try to cover a portion of those or all with cameras?” asked Lt. Andrew Shouse, Palm Desert's assistant chief of police.“In a perfect world, sure, I would love to have full coverage surveillance video of any public place in the city,” Shouse said.

Gilroy installs downtown security cameras to encourage visitors

Gilroy installs downtown security cameras to encourage visitors

For two hours on a recent sunny morning, Danny Chavez and his buddy Max Limones relaxed at a sidewalk cafe in downtown Gilroy, glancing every now and then at a public surveillance camera strapped onto a signal pole across the street.The town famous for growing garlic at the southern tip of Silicon Valley installed the camera last month, the first of six that by year's end will see and record almost everything and everyone in the heart of downtown, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Lots of cities use public cameras to deter terrorists, criminals and even red-light runners,Wet, Deadly and Expensive, but No Monster, but Gilroy had another reason in mind that would have flabbergasted Big Brother's creator, George Orwell. In his famous novel "1984," Orwell warned against absolute government power and oppression abetted by mass surveillance. But Orwell probably never saw Big Brother as a public relations flack.

"The intention is, first of all, to dispel the perception that our downtown is not safe," said Mayor Al Pinheiro. Police reported 43 crimes downtown during the first six months of this year. These included nine acts of vandalism, eight car thefts, seven burglaries, five assaults and five robberies. There was one shooting when a 13-year-old robbery suspect was shot in the hand by his would-be victim.

The camera at Fifth Street and Monterey Road looks like a bulging eyeball pointed straight down with lenses inside that can swivel 360 degrees and read a license plate a block away. But there won't be a human eye at the other end 24/7. Most days and nights, Gallacinao said, dispatchers or police officers will scan the monitors as they go along their usual duties at police headquarters. But they can zoom the cameras when somebody reports a crime in progress or review recordings for evidence after a crime is committed. Police will keep the recordings for at least one year.