League City: A safer place to shop

[seamusTX]

The League City police department has deployed a mobile observation tower that will be used to monitor parking lots of shopping centers.


It is currently deployed in the parking lot of Walmart at FM 646 and I-45 (across the road from The Arms Room, BTW).

Though jokingly described as a duck blind without camouflage, it is air-conditioned and appears to me to be armored. The police plan to man it mainly with non-LEO volunteers. Cameras in the tower also can transmit images to the police department when the tower is not manned.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/204750" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Must have cost a pretty penny.

- Jim

[LarryH]

The article you linked has a link to another article that says the $60K tower was purchased with revenues from red light camera tickets.

[seamusTX]

That price isn't too bad for a piece of equipment like that. Similar equipment like cherry pickers and so forth cost upwards of $100K.

- Jim

[Divided Attention]

This is yet another example of how many people have delegated the responsibilty of their personal safety to others and technology rather than increasing their awareness. They remain clueless and depend upon a dude/dudette in an elevated observation pod with a cell phone to get them out of a bad situation that might have been avoided. Worse yet, it might just be depending upon a camera to get a good picutre of the BG as evidence of the bad thing! However they remain oblivious to their surroundings, the situations they are putting themselves in and have no means to either avoid being a target or defending themselves should the situation arise! JUST WOW!

JMHO - taking a deep breath and stepping off the soapbox....

[Piney]

It's on a trailer-- someone will steal it

Any formal PD presence is bound to help. That tower certianly has a presence in that shopping center.

We saw an unmanned camera tower trailer at the Matress Mac guy's place on I-45. It looked like a rental firm's equipment. I was curious if it's cameras were being monitored by someone on site or by a service off site.

[seamusTX]

This is yet another example of how many people have delegated the responsibilty of their personal safety to others and technology rather than increasing their awareness. They remain clueless and depend upon a dude/dudette in an elevated observation pod with a cell phone to get them out of a bad situation that might have been avoided.

I don't disagree with that at all, when it comes to personal attacks.

However this kind of surveillance can forestall burglary of unoccupied vehicles and loitering.

(Actually the car burglars go somewhere else that doesn't have such measures.)

Not that I am in favor of this kind of thing, but it's a decision the city council made.

- Jim

[Divided Attention]

Not that I think this is "worthless" - not at all! However, the news I saw last PM on this people were "feeling safer knowing someone was looking out for them" REALLY! I agree, it will likely help with the unattended vehicle issues! I just get so frustrated when I hear people say - "if the police would be at XYZ location these types of things wouldn't happen." Or, I won't go to such-n-so to shop because they don't have security. Now I am not saying either, that I go to "bad locations" because I have my CHL, I just make sure wherever I am I try to be alert and pay attention to those little hairs on the back of my neck and the quiet voice in my head saying be careful. People just seem to be too comfortable relinquishing their responsibilities to others and technology and making excuses when something goes wrong. Then they want to rant and dial their lawyer for compensation for something that should have been their responsibility in the first place.

[seamusTX]

I agree we have gone far down the road to where most people won't accept responsibility for their own safety, even with regard to simple measures like locking their car doors. That encourages criminals. Obviously most goofs who rob convenience stores or burglarize occupied houses don't expect the victims to be prepared.

Furthermore, some police officials discourage active self defense. We see the quotations all the time. They must be taught in police public-relations school.

- Jim

[RoyGBiv]

Cop-in-a-box

[Oldgringo]

Well, that OP lurking on the horizon will certainly tell the thugs, robbers and other BG's where they ain't welcome and to just move on to another place.

(OP= Observation Post)

[Excaliber]

I agree we have gone far down the road to where most people won't accept responsibility for their own safety, even with regard to simple measures like locking their car doors. That encourages criminals. Obviously most goofs who rob convenience stores or burglarize occupied houses don't expect the victims to be prepared.

Furthermore, some police officials discourage active self defense. We see the quotations all the time. They must be taught in police public-relations school.

- Jim

You'll see those comments much more frequently from chiefs who serve at the pleasure of a liberal politician. They are political animals and behave as such. They were selected for this quality, and their continued employment depends on it.

Civil service chiefs who can't be fired unless they commit a felony often speak more freely and truthfully.

[WildBill]

This is not a new idea.

[seamusTX]

BERLIN WALL

Hmm.

- Jim

[RPB]

you two guys read my mind and beat me to it,

Staffed by non-LEOs with cameras huh? Interesting, I bet they get more volunteers during Summer if neighbors are sunbathing.

[bnc]

I'll just go ahead and keep my SS, TXDL, and TXCHL numbers handy so that I can be identified as a good guy. Maybe a tattoo right on the forearm so everyone can see.




Or, a tag in the ear lobe; that seems to work well for the ranchers.