From: Spike Jones (spike66@ibm.net)
Date: Fri Mar 31 2000 - 20:49:07 MST
> Billy Brown wrote:...All the system really does is reduce street crime a bit.
> If there is another option that can be implemented without first becoming an
> authoritarian state I don't see it.
Hey cool! Once in a very blue moon we get an opportunity to have a
philosophical debate which has an actual test case unfolding before our
eyes, so that we might all make predictions and see them fulfilled or
demolished.
We have seen that Lockmart is providing traffic signal cameras to cities
at no up front cost, only a cut of the fines collected. Under those
circumstances
we will all likely agree on one immediate outcome: the traffic cams will
sprout like daisies after a spring rain.
Then what will happen?
We all will likely agree that since the ability of the city government
to catch red light runners has suddenly and dramatically increased, and the
cost of each apprehension has decreased, then immediately the city's
coffers will begin to fill with newfound lucre.
But then what will happen?
Zero Powers and I might argue that city governments will be forced to
reduce the fine for red light running! I predict this.
What do you predict?
Mike Lorrey might predict that someone will figure out a way to
defeat the cams. I agree this will likely happen, in fact I might
participate in that activity. It has been years since I have received
a traffic fine, however I have been known to blow a stop sign
at 80 kph, as can be testified by Jeff Davis who was with me
last time I did so. If the city put up an intersection cam I would
be toast. I would have fun figuring out how to defeat the thing.
Billy Brown might predict that the temptation by the city to
become a miniature tyranny would be too much, and they
would keep the fines the same as they were when it was
difficult to bag scofflaws, or perhaps even increase the fines.
I predict that if the fines are not substantially reduced, enough
people will get mad as hell, decide not to take it anymore
and refuse en mass to pay up.
This test case is important, for it will be a foretaste of how future
governments might be expected to behave in the future with
increased surveillance abilities.
Everybody who is following this thread, think this over and post
a prediction. {8-] spike
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