By Joseph Rittenhouse —
Sedona, AZ –In a recent survey by the Red Rock News, almost 70 percent of the respondents voted against the intrusive use of license plate reading cameras in Sedona.
There were two editorials written in Sedona.biz—one for and one against—the installation of these cameras that can not only read the plates but also identify the identity and address of the driver, as well as determine if the vehicle is stolen, if there is a warrant out on the driver, if it is properly registered and insured, and even how many scratches or dents the vehicle has.
The database links to other similar systems across the country, and the information is shared locally and non-locally.
One particularly egregious editorial was written by Bear Howard defending the placement of these cameras in the community.
Another by Sedona.biz editor Tommy Acosta decried the imposition of a 1984-style surveillance system in Sedona.
From Bear’s previous writings, it appeared he was a level-headed and well-informed Sedona resident, but his defense of the surveillance system calls his veracity and perhaps sanity into question.
Can’t he see that this acceptance of the additional surveillance will lead to mission creep, and before we know it there will be surveillance cameras at every intersection and side street in Sedona?
That’s how the sheep are sheared and made accustomed to being herded and gated so the authorities can exert even tighter control over our fine citizens and minority communities in Sedona.
Frankly, I am insulted by the city council, and if I were the RRN or Sedona.biz, I would interview every council member and ask how they feel about it.
All I know is if you asked me, and I knew which council member felt this or that way about the intrusion, I would not vote for any who supported the license plate readers.
They should immediately tear down the ones that are already up and trash the remaining eight waiting to be installed.
Kudos to Fox and Acosta for going against the intrusion. Hopefully, the council will note the 70 percent unfavorability of the RRN survey and heed the will of the public.
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1 Comment
Joseph
great editorial full of valid points. My only issue with all of this is that the system is not abusive nor is its alleged declared intent. People abuse these systems they do not abuse themselves. Given the very frequent occurrences of mass shootings, foreign and domestic extremist terror attacks, gun running and human traffickers many of which flow through Sedona, we need systems like this to help combat those types of very REAL violent crimes mostly perpetrated by US and State Citizenry (Primarily White Nationalist and White Supremacists according to FBI and DOJ statistics). Perhaps the solution is more and better oversight as well as public access and transparency as safeguards against abuse? Still could happen just like there are good cops as well as very bad ones. But we do need law, laws and enforcement of them other are left with anarchy and kaos. I’m writing this with my counter terror hat on. I worked many years studying and combating Domestic/National/Transnational/International terror groups and individuals with an onus upon Domestic Hate and Terror Organizations. Tools are tools until and unless abused.