Something that citizens can control, and use, as opposed to being surveilled by the government, is their own CCTV cameras.
As we know from Movies/TV, the first thing a cop does at an outdoor crime scene is look for any CCTV cameras nearby, and then ask if they can look at the footage.
Instead of installing Ring and allowing the authorities automatic access, why not self-organise?
At the other extreme, in Western Australia, police ask for people to just let them know if they have a camera, so they can quickly access a database. This is a good way for the authorities to connect, and appears to be popular in the US in individual towns. Even so, the government is in control of the data.
Benefits of a community-operated camera network:
- The users control everything
- It can be used for things beyond what the police will investigate
- Combine it with Neighbourhood Watch, and rapid communication
- Automated systems can be utilised, like face or license plate tracking (currently illegal in many places, but presumably OK in many lands)
- Hybrid / manual systems could be created that comply with laws
- Potential for other uses. Combine it with sensors for weather, and sell the data to a weather app. Count traffic rates for when asking the council for something
Necessary components:
- It has to work out-of-the-box, which means getting a quality manufacturer on board
- The rules and ethics need to be perfect
- The software and network needs to be 100% secure without doubt
- Checks and balances
Possible scenarios where it could be useful:
- Tracking the movements of your stolen car
- Vandalism
- Mail / parcel theft
- Deterrent – signs mentioning the networked nature of the cameras
- Monitoring what the authorities do in your neighbourhood
- Spotting vehicles (people?) who are new
- Hoons / street racing
- And in an extreme case, riots
