The Wizard thinks the plane is a serious privacy infringement, likening it to 'Big Brother'
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada has a plane used by The Saskatoon City Police that patrols the city by flying at lower altitudes, equipped with several devices that enable them to 'spy' on criminals, speeders and the like. The part that I do not like... is that they also spy on law-abiding citizens such as myself.
They call it the "Eagle One air patrol".
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada has a plane used by The Saskatoon City Police that patrols the city by flying at lower altitudes, equipped with several devices that enable them to 'spy' on criminals, speeders and the like. The part that I do not like... is that they also spy on law-abiding citizens such as myself.
They call it the "Eagle One air patrol".
A tentative proposal to extend the unit's presence in the sky from three months to 365 days a year has the blessing of the police commission, mayor and chief of police.
"It's time to give you the full-blown plan," Chief Clive Weighill told the commission Thursday. "It's an excellent investigative aid. I'm completely convinced of it."
However.... many others have a different point of view:
"The 'need' for a spy plane presumes that we live in a dangerous society, one where control and information-gathering on citizens is more important than privacy and self-restraint," Caswell Hill resident Lynn Hainsworth wrote in a letter to the commission.
"The Eagle is a constant reminder that I am not free, that I am subject to police domination."
The plane is also noisy, leading to sleep deprivation, she added, noting noise pollution has been implicated in hypertension of children in inner cities.
"If we are to effectively tackle crime in this city, there are many less intrusive ways to do that."
The FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) device was added to the Air Support Unit. The FLIR is a camera system consisting of a daylight, or low-light, camera and a thermal sensor capable of detecting heat sources. The system greatly enhances the effectiveness of our Air Support Unit, both during the night and day.
Standing out on the front walk of my apartment tonight the plane circled 3 or 4 times at a low altitude and with their new night-time heat (infared) camera, I am sure that they could see me. One has to wonder if they can 'see' my private parts - assuming that they are warmer than say, my arms etc....
This camera as well as the daytime camera with recorders are supposed to help the city police in catching people 'in the act'. The issue here is that they are catching an awful lot of people caught in the act of acting normal.
The yearly cost of the plane including rental, and cameras and avation fuel is staggering. The full year cost will be closer to $200,000, based on leasing the airplane. The cost of purchasing, storing and maintaining a craft of its own would cost the police service significantly more. Thank God for small miracles. At least we can cancel the contract in the future.
Mayor Don Atchison, chair of the police commission said that the complaints are few and far between. I don't remember there being a referendum on this year's mayoral campaign about whether or not the average Joe wants the spy plane or not.
Heck what good is an average Joe, other than that you need him/her to get elected, then you can start spending the taxpayers money on spy planes, and fancy lifghts on an old rusted bridge for the tune of half a million dollars (incidentally, only about $450,000 over budget!)
If you don't feel it's an invasion of your privacy - think about it when you are in your well treed, fenced back yard soaking up a few rays of sun... for all you know, they could see you in the most minute detail. Ladies, keep your tops up, cuz ya just never know... and don't get me started with nude sunbathing either!
Please get rid of this plane. I believe it does more harm than good, but then again, that is just the opinion of one of the average Joes...
*Quotes from By The StarPhoenix (Saskatoon)
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