From The Past: September 1, 2004

I just finished reading an article titled, Big Brother Watches Britain, and I have to say that it is a wonderful piece. The article tells how Britain has become the leader of surveillance in the world. They have an estimated 4.2 MILLION closed-circuit TV cameras watching people at all times doing everyday things. The article says that the average Briton is seen by 300 cameras a day!

Using these cameras, the police have caught countless wrong-doers. Also, many crimes are deterred by people just knowing that they are being watched. If the United States would enable this system, I really do believe that we could cut out most petty crimes and that we could more easily catch the big-time criminals. I would definitely be willing to pay more taxes if it would go towards a system of this kind and on this big of scale.

With that said, I believe enforcing laws would help too. Laws are made for reasons and they should be upheld. Too many criminals get a slap on the wrist when jail time would have taught them a valuable lesson.

Earlier this week the Sadieville, Kentucky Police Chief was arrested and charged with DUI (driving under the influence). City officials are going to have a meeting to decide his future with the city. What’s to decide?! The man was driving while intoxicated. Isn’t that enough to say, “You’re fired!” I think it is!

The police actually had to pursue him because he wouldn’t pull over! If he is allowed to continue as chief, do you really think that anyone will have any respect for him? It sounds to me like the “good ole boy” system may be at work. I will be watching with anticipation to see how this turns out.

I would have liked to have had video of his erratic driving. This is just another reason to love the British – they do all of the first-rate stuff first! I doubt we will ever have as good a system in place.

Currently (2020): It is interesting to read the above paragraphs after all these years. I would have thought we would have better camera systems in place by now. I’m happy that we have the traffic cameras that we do, but I’m still not happy with the number of cameras in general.

I’m also not happy with most punishments that are given these days. The punishment very rarely fits the crime, in my opinion. We are entirely too lenient. That said, I believe the UK is even more lenient than America. I read news stories daily where someone has committed a horrific offense in the UK. They may get six months behind bars, but then then are allowed to go about their lives again among the public.

Cameras can only do so much good. Then, it is up to people to dole out the punishments. They need to do better.