Comments on: Watching the Watchers http://loobin.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/watching-the-watchers/ Wrenching the Guts of the Internet Thu, 17 Sep 2009 19:49:56 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Jeremy T http://loobin.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/watching-the-watchers/#comment-8 Jeremy T Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:05:38 +0000 http://loobin.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-8 Timothy - I have no direct knowledge of how this works, I'm only basing my queries on what the article seemed to imply: that people are sitting around in a room watching these huge monitors, with the ability to zoom in and view what people are doing inside of their vehicles. That sort of monitoring is not something I find comforting, nor even useful. If that's not what they're doing, then good. Timothy – I have no direct knowledge of how this works, I’m only basing my queries on what the article seemed to imply: that people are sitting around in a room watching these huge monitors, with the ability to zoom in and view what people are doing inside of their vehicles. That sort of monitoring is not something I find comforting, nor even useful.

If that’s not what they’re doing, then good.

]]> By: Timothy P http://loobin.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/watching-the-watchers/#comment-7 Timothy P Mon, 14 Jul 2008 10:52:31 +0000 http://loobin.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-7 They do not sit around staring at cars going by. The cameras are merely a tool to assist in situations when needed. No one is paid to set around looking at traffic. That shows how you know nothing about the system. Every city has an abandoned call rate and Durham 911 is one of the best in the country compared to other cities. To think that every center can answer every 911 call 100% of the time is statistically impossible. I know now they have a recording that tells you to stay on the line rather than put a caller on hold like other centers do. They do not sit around staring at cars going by. The cameras are merely a tool to assist in situations when needed. No one is paid to set around looking at traffic. That shows how you know nothing about the system. Every city has an abandoned call rate and Durham 911 is one of the best in the country compared to other cities. To think that every center can answer every 911 call 100% of the time is statistically impossible. I know now they have a recording that tells you to stay on the line rather than put a caller on hold like other centers do.

]]> By: Jeremy T http://loobin.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/watching-the-watchers/#comment-6 Jeremy T Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:14:34 +0000 http://loobin.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-6 I've called 911 three times since I moved to Durham. They failed to answer on the first call two out of three of those times. One of those times was petty theft - not a big deal, I can call back later. The other was to report gunshots - and yeah, that kinda is a big deal. I'm aware that this is only a single experience and it's not statistically significant - but I do feel I have the right to be upset about how the system my tax dollars pay for has served me. What if somebody was breaking into my house? What if somebody had been shooting INTO my house? I may not have had a chance to call back. Aside from all of that, why are we even paying people to sit around looking at traffic to begin with? Thousands of people drive on I-40, and most of them have cell phones. Is there really a problem of people not calling 911 when accidents happen on the freeway? I can see using the cameras to verify a report, but do people really sit around staring at the cars going by? I’ve called 911 three times since I moved to Durham. They failed to answer on the first call two out of three of those times. One of those times was petty theft – not a big deal, I can call back later. The other was to report gunshots – and yeah, that kinda is a big deal.

I’m aware that this is only a single experience and it’s not statistically significant – but I do feel I have the right to be upset about how the system my tax dollars pay for has served me. What if somebody was breaking into my house? What if somebody had been shooting INTO my house? I may not have had a chance to call back.

Aside from all of that, why are we even paying people to sit around looking at traffic to begin with? Thousands of people drive on I-40, and most of them have cell phones. Is there really a problem of people not calling 911 when accidents happen on the freeway? I can see using the cameras to verify a report, but do people really sit around staring at the cars going by?

]]> By: Bad Mojo http://loobin.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/watching-the-watchers/#comment-5 Bad Mojo Sun, 13 Jul 2008 22:05:02 +0000 http://loobin.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-5 Come now, I'm certain other remarks are far more ignorant that Jeremy T's. You're just trying to convince people that his opinion is "wrong" through hyperbole. Shame on you. On the other hand, if it is THE most ignorant remark ever, I'm rather disappointed with mankind's entire works of writing. Come now, I’m certain other remarks are far more ignorant that Jeremy T’s. You’re just trying to convince people that his opinion is “wrong” through hyperbole. Shame on you.

On the other hand, if it is THE most ignorant remark ever, I’m rather disappointed with mankind’s entire works of writing.

]]> By: Timothy P http://loobin.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/watching-the-watchers/#comment-4 Timothy P Sun, 13 Jul 2008 21:42:34 +0000 http://loobin.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-4 Jeremy T's comment is the most ignorant remark ever. The Durham 911 center is one of the best in the country. They have had this technology for several months now and have sent emergency vehicles to the scene of accidents before anyone has called because they happened to be on the right camera at the right time. They do a tremendous job! Jeremy T’s comment is the most ignorant remark ever. The Durham 911 center is one of the best in the country. They have had this technology for several months now and have sent emergency vehicles to the scene of accidents before anyone has called because they happened to be on the right camera at the right time. They do a tremendous job!

]]> By: Jeremy T http://loobin.wordpress.com/2008/07/13/watching-the-watchers/#comment-3 Jeremy T Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:06:25 +0000 http://loobin.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-3 So I guess when I call Durham 911 and nobody answers, the operators are busy peaking inside vehicles with their spy cams instead. Your tax dollars at work! So I guess when I call Durham 911 and nobody answers, the operators are busy peaking inside vehicles with their spy cams instead.

Your tax dollars at work!

]]>