Today I went to a Super Market (Grocery Store) near my house. An elderly woman was complaining to the Customer Service Manager, saying that she did not get her change from a purchase she made earlier in the day.
The manager just said, "hold on and let me check it out for you". Within a minute, she explained to the elderly woman that she did receive her correct change.
The manager said, "You gave the cashier $20.11 for a $13.11 purchase and he gave you $7.00 back. "The elderly woman asked, "how are you so sure of that?"
The manager told the woman to come around the counter and watch the whole transaction on video tape. The woman agreed that she received the correct change and walked away asking herself, "what did I do with the change?"
That incident got me thinking about how many times we are filmed by surveillance cameras each and every day.
I left my house at 10:30 a.m. this morning and returned at 1:30 p.m. this afternoon. Here are some of the times I was filmed, that I can remember, by surveillance cameras in 3 hours.
#1: Noticed 2 cameras pointed at me while purchasing a 6-pack of beer at the local beer store.
#2: Took my mother for a eye exam and seen a sign saying that the parking lot was being monitored by surveillance cameras.
#3: Went to the supermarket (grocery store). Don't know how many times I was captured on video tape there.
#4: Went to the local Chinese restaurant and noticed a camera at the entrance of the store and one pointing at the cash register.
Who knows how many other cameras were aimed at me during those 3 hours.
My questions to you are these:
How many per day do you think you are filmed by surveillance cameras?
Do you think that it might be a violation of your right to privacy?
Is "Big Brother" out of control?
Do you think this kind of surveillance is necessary in today's society?
What is your opinion?
Lloyd
[question posted by lloydanthony111]
responses and comments:
I honestly do not worry about them too much cause I really don't have anything to hide. But I think that they can be a double edged sword because on one hand they force people to expose almost everything they are doing and sometimes saying with or without their consent. But on the other hand if someone is a victim of a violent crime, or nonviolent crime that camera on the pole might be the only witness to what has happened. I know when I ride the city bus there are no less than 6 camera's with audio recordings on the bus. From the moment you enter until the moment you leave you are on tape. My old bank branch, from the moment you entered the property your taped and when you go to enter or exit the building the doors are set up so that you are forced to pause for a moment, they take a picture every time coming and going. I could look at it as an invasion of my privacy cause I don't want anyone and everyone to know where I bank at but if a robber comes into the bank while I'm there and hurts me I can be pretty darn sure he or she will leave at least 3-4 pretty good pictures behind. There are a lot of pros and cons to these cameras and while I'm not a fan I have seen where they have come in very handy at times to catch criminals in the act in crimes from robbery to kidnapping. If it saves one child, as a mother of four, it is worth it to me. [mynameismine]
For those not familiar with this case, here is a link that provides some of the details. http://www.wftv.com/news/2917215/detail.html Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
Where I work there are eight surveliience cameras in my section alone and when first installed we all felt like it was 'Big Brother' watching us but after a while we forgot they are there and the reason is to prevent crime/or to help catch a criminal if carried out. What annoys me though is that I know some of the managers delight in playing back the previous day and making fun of some of us which I think is wrong. We are being watched everywhere we go, in town centres, shops and it does make you wonder where else we are being watched doesn't it, toilets, hotel rooms? Makes you wonder. Ellie :D [ellie333]
Cameras do give one a sense that 'Big Brother' is somehow watching us. They are very helfull in preventing or solving a crime. The managers who are playing back the videos and making fun of the employees are violating the purpuse of installing the cameras. We have over 50 cameras installed at my workplace. They are only played back if there is an accident or someone damages merchandise and don't own up to it. I used to travel a lot and spend a lot of time in both high quality and low quality hotels. I always wondered if someone was watching me, especially when I stayed at hotels outside of the United States. Does make you wonder. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
Ah, you forgot the ATM did you go past any of them? In out city we have red light cameras with speed and they also take about 30 pictures as the light turns red. Scare the crap out of me the first time I drove at night with all that flashing going on LOL. When the Patriot Act first past, I remember everyone all upset because "the government was taking their rights away" and I didn't think much about it and I still don't. I mean honestly, I'm an average citizen: I'm married, have 3 kids (sorry not the 2.5 sometimes I wish I had 2.5 lol), dog, and a house. If the government wants to listen to my phone conversations with my mother about us complaining about our husbands then by all means go ahead but I don't want to hear them complaining when that department of the government is over budget because they spent 1,000 man hours listening to us only to find out we are only talking about how dumb our husbands can be at times. As for the cameras, I know that it has help catch a lot of criminals and again I have no problem with that because I don't break the law when I go out into public well ok I will speed from time to time...OK everytime...but if the police pull me over then I will except my ticket and go on with my day. I now live in an urban setting and a number of years ago I lived way out in the country/sticks whichever, and the housing projects in the city started using camera and I remember thinking why do they need cameras. The first night the cameras were in place the police counted seven felonies caught on tape, including a murder. As for my right to privacy as well as any right, we must surrender some to get protection. Remember in high school government class when the teacher said something like, we have to give up certain freedoms to have protection, and gave the example of walking into the theather yelling fire when there wasn't a fire, it's against the law and people that do it are usually charged with inducing panic. Hense, we gave up a little freedom of speech so that we would not have to endure panic. [ZephyrSun]
"I do believe the intention of cities using these traffic cameras is to earn money." It also saves money by not having actual policemen/women sitting at these intersections for hours and hours ticketing violators. The police should be used to fight real crime, not traffic violations. The old saying "There's never a cop around when you need one", well maybe they used to be sitting at intersections wasting money and time on traffic violations. Maybe now they are freed up to actually patrol areas that need them. In my area there are signs clearly posted on the roadways alerting drivers to video surveillance. Maybe some people just drive too fast to be able to read them!rasp PEACE [fpd1955]
Normally, I don't think too much about it but I've been reading a book called "Broken Angel" that has really gotten to me. It's one of those futuristic novels about a place called "Appalachia" that is fenced off from the rest of the USA. All the people have to carry a registered vidpod that lets authorities know where they are at all times. Literaly, every transaction of their life is recorded. It's all done by pushing icons and transferring images since reading is forbidden. Anyway, it kinda scares me because we are really not so far away from that sort of a society and I think I could do with a little less "big brother" and a little more privacy right now. Isn't it funny how every good new thing has a downside? The internet is a great invention but it is also a tool for pedofiles etc. About the only new thing I can think of that's seems good no matter how you look at it is DNA profiling...It frees the innocent and catches the guilty. At least that one seems to be win/win so far. [irisheyes]
The REALLY scarey part is that I can see it happening here if we continue down the path we're on. In the book, the problems get started when religion and government join forces politically. Sound familiar? [irisheyes]
out in europe theres cameras everywhere.. does wonders for the crime rate.. [celeb521]
I know countries like England have them just about everywhere. That is why they were able to catch those responsible for the London bombings a few years ago. I think we can all agree that having cameras does help prevent crime. I'd like to welcome you to myLot. Don't be a stranger. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
I HATE THEM! Two weeks ago I was caught running a red light. If I had not the car behind me would have hit me. This is the first time in my life I have ever had any kind of traffic violation or ticket!!! Cost me $70.00. Forty years of driving and not even a parking ticket!! [whiteheather39]
That is the problem with these traffic cams. They are unable to provide a human touch when necessary. It can distinguish between a person running a red light or trying to avoid getting hit in the rear by another vehicle. I don't know what state you live in, but at $70.00, you got off pretty easy. Here in New Jersey I'm sure that fine would have been over $100. After driving for 40 years with even a parking ticket, I know this one really made you angry. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
Well, to be honest, i have asked myself sometimes how many people have me taped. But i have nothing to hide, dont get me wrong, but i do like to think out of the box like, if i was a robber, would i think that a cam would be there? Some cameras are just like in the open, not hiddin, i found that dumb bc anyone can just go around it without being seen. But then there are some that are nicely hiddin. When i was really small i would try to always avoid them bc i thought that they would come looking for me for something i didnt do, lol. But now i just wave at some that they think are really really hiddin and that no one will find lol. [blacky11]
Welcome to myLot. I'm so glad you choose my discussion for your first reply. Don't be a stranger. If you have nothing to hide, then I guess being taped wouldn't bother you. I'm sure that the robbers, you speak of, are aware of these cameras and adjust their criminal activities accordingly. Once again. Welcome to myLot. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
Technology has basically taken over our lives and not in a good way. I can't say for sure how many times I've been on film, but I went to Dunkin' Donuts yesterday with my daughter and we counted approximately eight surveillance cameras at that one location. So what do I think about that? I think that for the most part, the cameras are a necessary evil. A few years ago, in Florida, a thirteen year old girl was taken, at gunpoint, when she was passing through a parking lot. The man who kidnapped her, raped her and then murdered her. Thankfully, the abduction was caught on tape and the guy was caught, tried, convicted and sentenced. Are there times when the cameras are intrusive? I suppose knowing that I am being filmed while trying on clothes is a little unnerving so I take the clothes home with me, try them on and if they don't fit I return them. It's a minor inconvenience really. Ironically, the one place that cameras are sorely lacking are in public schools. So much could be prevented if kids knew they were actually being taped. Maybe they would think twice about bullying some kid, or drinking or doing drugs in the classrooms. [wachit14]
It may seem like a little overkill to have 8 surveillance cameras in a Dunkin Donut store, but it is necessary. About 6 months ago, a police officer in Philadelphia, was doing his rounds, which included the local Dunkin Donut store. He walked in on a robbery in progress and was fatally shot by the robber. The video cameras in the store recorded the whole crime and within minutes, the criminal's face was all over the news. He was eventually nabbed in a homeless shelter in Florida and bought back to Philadelphia, cuffed with the slain officer's own hand cuffs. I agree that more cameras should be place in and around schools. Times have changed and there are things going on in the classrooms that would have never happened when I was in school. Thanks for your reply. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
As long as the surveillance cameras stay out in the stores and restaurants and not in the restrooms, they don't bother me. I'm not planning on doing anything wrong, anyway. And we'd made sure our grandchildren know that they are definitely being watched - so keep your hands off things! I do believe these cameras are necessary in places where there are lots of robberies. And I really like it that they are in the parking lots! I don't even pay any attention to them anymore. I just realize they are there and go ahead and do my shopping. The only thing I hate is the fact they are going to eventually be on the sidewalks or streets watching the red lights! [Barb42]
I agree with you. Surveillance cameras should never be placed in restrooms or dressing rooms. Teaching your grandchildren that they are being watched would probably prevent them from doing something wrong in the store, but that would have made me a little paranoid when I was growing up. I think we all agree that having cameras are necessary in places such a parking lots. A lot of crimes take place in many parking lots. Most people replying so far also dislike cameras watching red lights. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
We have cameras on street lights. Some people get tickets. We have security cameras in stores. Our neighbors even have them on their home. Sometimes it makes me fell safer. Others I just feel spied on. I have no idea how many times I have been on video. It may be excessive. Usually I try not to think about it. [ersmommy1]
Oh. I totally forgot, we used to keep a camera in our bedroom window to see who was coming in and infront of our house. When we had to leave we would hit record and get it all on tape. We live in one of the five most dangerous cities in the US and our old neighborhood was without a doubt one of the worst areas in the city. Spent bullet casings, druggie bags, you name it we picked it up out of our yard and along the street. I don't know how many rocks of coke I ground up in the dirt after the drug dealers would toss them while running from the cops. We would have people literally walk into our yard in broad daylight when the camera wasn't up and just take what ever they wanted, esp., after they killed out dog. Man I'm glad we don't live there anymore!!!! [mynameismine]
Congrats on the 1000 score. That's a good question you asked. I think I might have been on "candid camera" at least 3 times today only to get a pack of smokes. When ever I am aware there are cameras watching me, I try to make it as entertaining as I can for whoever is watching by pulling down my pants and pretending to hose the lens off with my own brand of "Fantastic". [mrghill]
Wow. I didn't even notice that I had finally reached 1000 posts here at myLot. Be careful about pulling your pants down in public. Even though no one is in your presence when you do that, someone who may see the video at a later date may be offended. And in this politically correct world, you may be held accountable for your actions. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
i dont worry about it as long as the cameras stay in public businesses like grocery stores in stuff becuse i always abide by the laws so its fine i think in some cases it can be good to have a cameras to protect us from criminals. [apples99]
yes, i definitely think they should keep cameras out of bath rooms LOL as long as there only in the grocery stores and gas stations or at the airport, used only for safety reasons and not to invade our privatesy, its fine. [apples99]
I don't really view the cameras in business' as big brother watching. I think a business has the right to protect themselves against such things as the elderly woman you mentioned as well as criminals. Big brother watching cameras would be more like a survelience camera in a parking lot or on a city street causing gov't or city officials to visit me and ask why a was speaking with so-and-so on the street.... a known drug trafficer. [makingpots]
I'm sure you are right that the women was not trying to scam the store. But in these days of believeing the customer is always right, companies need ot have a way to protect themselves. [makingpots]
I have no problems with the cameras and would only consider it an invasion of privacy if they placed them in the dressing rooms where you disrobe to try on clothes. Or (I hope they don't have these anymore)the two way mirror. It's been a while, but I recall seeing a report of that on TV. [MZKUMA]
It would definately be an invasion of privacy if they placed cameras in dressing rooms or restrooms. I still see two-way mirrors in many stores, but I don't think they are still in use in dressing rooms. Lloyd p.s. Welcome to myLot. Don't be a stranger. [lloydanthony111]
We are probably caught on camera atleast 50 times a day unless you never leave your house (and who knows maybe even when you are inside your house also). I do think we have lost a lot of privacy through the years and it is at an all time high now. There is no such thing as privacy anymore. It is an illusion. You are being filmed making every transaction today. You are filmed at a lot of Dr.'s offices (my daughter's nuerologist has several cameras set up in the parking lot and you have to buzz to get in the door). Big Brother is indeed everywhere and he is watching. [sweetdesign]
50 times a day sure sounds like a lot. I agree with you that we've lost a lot of our privacy. I can't imagine where we are heading in the future if 'Big Brother' is indeed everywhere and he is watching. Just imagine what it will be like 10 or 20 years from now. Maybe they will be in your house. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
Unfortunately, in this age of crime and violence, video surveillanc is a necessity. Where I work there are several video cameras, inside and outside the property. I work for a storage company and it is a selling point to get customers. They can see the cameras and feel more comfortable about storing their belongings with us. The Police cannot be everywhere and video surveillance helps them catch the bad guys/girls. If one is not doing anything illegal, one need not worry about video surveillance. As far as having video surveillance at checkout counters in grocery stores, that is a loss prevention tool. It protects against theft by the employees and theft by criminals. I was a Service Manager for 28 years in a major grocery store chain in Chicago. Used to be when a customer siad they didn't receive their change, we would have to close the checkout down and audit the drawer. It gave us one less checker and tied up another employee that had to do the audit. The video was a very quick way to determine if the customer got her change. PEACE [fpd1955]
It's ashame that this age of crime and violence has led us to the point where everything has to be recorded. Surveillance cameras are definately necessary at a storage company. Some people leave very valuable items at storage companies. You make a great point that grocery stores need to protect themselves against theft not only by customers, but by employees. Thanks for bringing up that angle. Thanks for your well thought-out reply. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
In California even the Freeways have video cameras. Everywhere I go I see a camera but it doesn't bother me as it will protect me if something happens. [naty1941]
Hello naty. You are the first person to bring up video cameras located on Freeways. I think that is a very good idea. We also have that here on the east coast. You can actually watch how traffic is flowing on the news. It's called Traffic Cam. I'm ok with surviellance cameras as long as they don't put them in rest rooms, dressing rooms or in my house. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
I understand that there are some cities where it is nearly impossible to go anywhere without being watched. Even outdoor cafes have cameras around. We even have some areas of Houston where not only are people pictured as they go through toll booths but they get their picture taken if they run a red light and get a ticket in the mail. I often think we are being watched (and listened to) much too often. On the other hand if a person gets robbed or accosted it would be a good idea to have a picture...We can't seem to get away. Big Brother is watching! [jillmalitz]
Not only is it impossible to go anywhere in the city without being taped on camera, that trend has moved to the surburbs. Being pictured as you go through toll booths have been around ever since EASY PASS came into existence. Surveillance cameras have their good points and bad points. Either way, Big Brother is watching. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
In today's society, I think it's necessary. Now someone needs to figure out how to surveil the creeps that steals your identity to rip you off. [jerryn]
I agree Lloyd, we need that smart chip technology here in the US. I hope someone can tell us more about it. I didn't know that kind of thing existed. [jerryn]
Those cameras have become such a fact of life. Pretty much every store you enter and most parking lots will have them. A lot of public places are monitored as well. The next time you sit at a traffic light, look up, you most likely will see a camera. And if you don't see it, you could still be filmed from a satellite. Yes, big brother is out of hand, lol, but we like it, if it helps resolving crimes, don't we? But of course we don't like the notion that somebody could secretly watch our every move. I don't think there is much we can do about it. It started out as a method of crime detection/prevention. Then it also became a method of crowd control (how to direct traffic etc), and it just took off from there. As long as they don't find a method to watch me inside my house, lol. I know there is a way, I'm not kidding myself, but I don't think I would be a person that would qualify for that type of surveillance;) [jonesy123]
I forgot about the ability of satellites to take a clear picture from out of space. Many people believe that Google violates their right to privacy. There is very little we can do about it now since we've gone this far with them. I hope it never comes to the point where the surveillance comes inside your house or mine. Then they would have a revolt on their hands. Thanks for the reply. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
I don't believe this is an invasion of your privacy, because simply you are out in public. Unfortunately in this day and age surveillance like this is necessary, because so many crimes would go unpunished because there wouldn't be any evidence, nor anything to identify the criminal in most cases. The bottom line is, I feel the only people that don't like the surveillance are the people that are doing wrong. What are you doing that is so personal and private in a public area anyway? [drknlvly6781]
Hello Zmugzy. Is it really necessary to know that much about your average everyday citizen? Even though you work for a benevolent democratically elected government, that kind of surveillance seems to cross the line. I can understand if you are tracking a terrorist, but to accumulate that much information and keep it indefinately doesn't seem right to me. Just my opinion. Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
As soon as I leave my apartment someone is watching my every move. There are cameras designed in the shape of glass eyeballs watching me as I go down in the elevator and leave the building. In the car park my movements are scanned. And then someone else watches me when I get on a bus or drive a car to work, when I enter the supermarket or enter my work place, there are cameras all around. Britain has more surveillance cameras than any other country in the world. [Zmugzy]
I've heard that Britain has more surveillance cameras than any other country in the world. I know it can be helpful, but I still think it's not that necessary. Are you happy with being tracked the way you described in your reply? Lloyd [lloydanthony111]
Oh wow, here in Chicago once you leave your front door (depending on the area) you can bet that you'll be on someones surveillance tape every 2 or 3 blocks. there one in every store, gas station, traffic light. you name it and I couldn't begin to count all the camera's and for each one that you see there's two you don't see. [blkcat1]
It's not that bad here in New Jersey yet, but it is getting closer the kind of situation you have in Chicago. Do you like the fact that you are someones surveillance tape so often? In your opinion, is it a plus or a minus? Lloyd [lloydanthony111]