300,000 new CCTV cameras for the Olympics
As the 29th Olympic Games kicks into full stride, the gaze of the world is firmly on Beijing but by far the most vigilant observer will be the unblinking host writes the Nelson Mail in an editorial.
Big Brother will definitely be watching everyone and everything, everywhere.
Beijing was already among the world’s most watched cities: apparently, authorities have added 300,000 new CCTV cameras especially for the games, along with other features such as anti-aircraft missiles beside the main Olympic stadium.
The growing use of video monitoring for security or some more menacing reasons is not simply the domain of single-party police states. However,
Britain reputedly has four million CCTV cameras installed to constantly watch for littering and other equally heinous activities
read the complete editorial here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/nelsonmail/4649999a23218.html
The 300k cameras have been called into question. As early as May the number of cameras was actually around 25K with commitments to install 250K by 2010.
One week prior to Opening ceremonies the postings were pointing @ 300K. I contacted a source who actually has a contract to fulfill the suggested number and he stated – government sources took full advantage of the hype, thinking anything that would help as a deterrent they would use…