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“The software used to run the system [Operation Virtual Shield, a collaboration between IBM and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications] will be able to recognize specific license plates, vehicle descriptions, and even patterns of behavior. If someone drops a briefcase on the El platform and it stays unattended for more than a minute, the system could alert the OEMC, which could then dispatch police officers to the scene.
They won’t rob or kill you, either, which is good, but I’d rather see them invent a predictive network that would make the cops’ lawyers better at their jobs. It’s worth noting, however, that the surveillance cuts both ways, and that’s a good thing, when we need to be protected from our protectors. Slashdot, as always, has a great discussion, although to the person who said that the cameras are really needed at City Hall, welcome to the future.
