You’re overestimating the abilities of CCTV and you’re also overestimating the piggies. Case in point: a long time ago I had my vehicle broken into and all my tools stolen when I went to dinner with the family. Vehicle was in full view of a CCTV system and there was a “security guard” patrolling the parking lot. Dinner was maybe 90 minutes at most. Security guy “didn’t see or hear anything”. Cops couldn’t be bothered to show up.
When the oink patrol finally got around to reviewing the footage they couldn’t resolve any discerning information. Nothing ever came of it. Nobody was ever investigated. My tools, including all the unique, hand-made, forged tools I made myself were never recovered. Just gone.
Outting myself a bit, but it takes maybe 30 seconds to break a side window and steal everything inside a vehicle. If you’re wearing non-descriptive clothing and any kind of mask you’re probably never going to be identified. You give way to much credit to the powers that be. They do not give a fuck about you. CCTV is just another weapon they use against you. It will never be used to help you. It will only ever be used to ensure you don’t organize. Your phone getting stolen? They don’t have the personnel to review that footage. Organizing a union? They have people on overtime to review that footage.
Like Awoo said, it does not deter petty, irrational crime. Irrational actors are not thinking about whether or not there are CCTV cameras. It also doesn’t deter coordinated, rational crime. Rational actors are aware of the surveillance and act accordingly. In either case, the CCTV system is irrelevant. Which leads to…
why would states … invest in such extensive networks?
Like I said: because it is a weapon. It is not for your benefit. It is not to deter crime. You and I are the targets. Anyone that gets uppity about the state is the target.
If you’re worried about crime, ensure that people have their needs met so they don’t have to do crimes to survive, not whether or not they are properly surveilled.
You’re underestimating Chinese capabilities. I’ve chatted to cops before while they’re stood there in the street with their ipads showing multiple local security cameras with facial recognition tracking squares floating all over the screen. There’s no hiding, in urban areas at least.
Again, tech is tech, and who is behind the camera is most important - for one you don’t get shit like “cops not bothering to show up” because they’re legally obliged to show up and help you - but Chinese tech is just real good and I can’t see how it’s not a crime deterrent.
You’re overestimating the abilities of CCTV and you’re also overestimating the piggies. Case in point: a long time ago I had my vehicle broken into and all my tools stolen when I went to dinner with the family. Vehicle was in full view of a CCTV system and there was a “security guard” patrolling the parking lot. Dinner was maybe 90 minutes at most. Security guy “didn’t see or hear anything”. Cops couldn’t be bothered to show up.
When the oink patrol finally got around to reviewing the footage they couldn’t resolve any discerning information. Nothing ever came of it. Nobody was ever investigated. My tools, including all the unique, hand-made, forged tools I made myself were never recovered. Just gone.
Outting myself a bit, but it takes maybe 30 seconds to break a side window and steal everything inside a vehicle. If you’re wearing non-descriptive clothing and any kind of mask you’re probably never going to be identified. You give way to much credit to the powers that be. They do not give a fuck about you. CCTV is just another weapon they use against you. It will never be used to help you. It will only ever be used to ensure you don’t organize. Your phone getting stolen? They don’t have the personnel to review that footage. Organizing a union? They have people on overtime to review that footage.
Like Awoo said, it does not deter petty, irrational crime. Irrational actors are not thinking about whether or not there are CCTV cameras. It also doesn’t deter coordinated, rational crime. Rational actors are aware of the surveillance and act accordingly. In either case, the CCTV system is irrelevant. Which leads to…
Like I said: because it is a weapon. It is not for your benefit. It is not to deter crime. You and I are the targets. Anyone that gets uppity about the state is the target.
If you’re worried about crime, ensure that people have their needs met so they don’t have to do crimes to survive, not whether or not they are properly surveilled.
<3
You’re underestimating Chinese capabilities. I’ve chatted to cops before while they’re stood there in the street with their ipads showing multiple local security cameras with facial recognition tracking squares floating all over the screen. There’s no hiding, in urban areas at least.
Again, tech is tech, and who is behind the camera is most important - for one you don’t get shit like “cops not bothering to show up” because they’re legally obliged to show up and help you - but Chinese tech is just real good and I can’t see how it’s not a crime deterrent.