Patrolling the US Border Via Webcam 249
Posted
by
timothy
from the observe-and-report dept.
from the observe-and-report dept.
The BBC features a story today on a controversial effort to patrol the border between Mexico and Texas by means of 21 hidden cameras, the output of which is streamed online for viewers at home, who can then report suspected illegal border crossings; more than 130,000 people have registered to observe the streams, from as far afield as "Australia, Mexico, Colombia, Israel, New Zealand and the UK."
Absurd! (Score:5, Funny)
I read on freerepublic that foreign IPs can carry tuberculosis and communism.
So it's like Metal Gear (Score:3, Funny)
I Feel Asleep.....
Re:Why guard the border at all? (Score:3, Funny)
If you are so concerned about criminal activity "crossing the border", why not do what that lovely man in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City suggested for florida, build a moat!
Yeah as an Aussie it has long been my belief that you shouldn't be able to be a country unless you have water all the way around. Of course the Panama Canal is sort of a moat, and it is part of the USA.
There is an easier way... (Score:2, Funny)
Why use autocannons? Just link the cameras and guns to an online sniper game and let the crowd do it!
Heck, you could probably charge $1 per shot and make money!
In this picture, there are 47 people. (Score:1, Funny)
Re:Mexico? (Score:3, Funny)
So this is for people to view and observe the border and report any activity right....well I guess this plan is already in the toilet now that people IN MEXICO can view the cameras and see exactly where they are pointed.
Ok yes, we see you. We will mark that crossing off our list of possibilities. Ok, a little further...there I can see you...keep going....now I can't, mark that with a flag or something.
Well played Border Control, well played.
I heard one simple idea that probably would solve the illegal border crossing problem: landmines. Line our side of the border with antipersonnel landmines, everywhere except the legitimate entrances/checkpoints. Post highly visible signs in English and Spanish, and also with graphics in case the person is illiterate, warning that it is a minefield. The purpose of this is to establish a deterrent, not to actually hurt anyone (though if that happens, they can't say they weren't warned). Maybe those signs can include some contact information at the bottom, useful for obtaining information on how to go through the process of coming here legally.
Re:Well... (Score:5, Funny)
2. Frail around for 5 minutes.
3. Take a smoke break and then google "bigfoot Mexican border".
4. If there are no relevant results, you're safe to cross.
5. If there are a few million hits and you find yourself on
The best part is that you're guaranteed not to be fired upon if spotted by the boarder patrol. Also you can claim you're just perpetrating a hoax if you're caught performing steps 1-3.
Security through obscurity never works.
Re:Duck! I can see you, move to your right (Score:4, Funny)
The only problem is that two minor features have not been implemented yet: audio and recipient selection.
Re:Mexico? (Score:5, Funny)
Nah - Landmines are to cheap. You aint thinking like an American Politician. It's got to cost at least 1 million per emplacement, ensure it can detect not only ilegals crossing the border but the drug runners, sniff out radioactive materials and shoot down exocet cruise missles and the damn idiot tourist who flys to close to the No Fly zone.
Don't forget it's got to be a long term defense contract that'll cost 10-20 billion dollars for a 10 year contract and give plenty of jobs to our favorite congress critters districts so they'll vote for him in the next election. That's the Real American Way.
Stop or I'll show you my genitals! (Score:3, Funny)
How does this work? Defending border by webcam sounds like "Stop! Hold it right there! Or I'll start my video feed and show you my genitals". How is that wholesome for that matter?
Re:Mexico? (Score:1, Funny)