Police State Downtown.

jason_contentdg · January 28, 2009, 05:23:09 PM

Look, it shouldn't even matter if it would kill downtown or not...the city is at such a shortfall budget wise, why the hell would this unneeded potential expense be on the table?

Johnny · January 28, 2009, 05:52:56 PM

I'm not convinced that it will hurt downtown. In fact, many of the suburbanites may actually see it as a plus and visit downtown. Do I think the camera's will solve the problems we face downtown? No.. But, I can definitely say there are people that do not come downtown b/c they do not feel safe. My co-worker happens to be one of them.

Video surveillance along with gunshot location systems can help police in doing their jobs. Again, I'm curious in what the cost will be since the equipment is being donated.

Johnny · January 28, 2009, 06:01:18 PM

Yes, spy. Good point! I think my co-worker may be worried that him and his wife in their 60's are being filmed to tally their every move. Now they'll never come!

Johnny · January 28, 2009, 06:12:01 PM

I'm not suggesting that the 60's crowd will make downtown a lively spot. See previous post. My point is, some people are scared of downtown. A true statement. I also said that the camera's will not fix the problem. Another true statement. I'm with you on the meters, they need to go, but the camera's will not be their replacement as a deterrent from downtown.

BridgeTroll · January 29, 2009, 06:40:45 AM

Spoke with a few people at London Bridge yesterday. We all agreed that downtown was as safe as any part of Jacksonville including the suburbs. There is a perception from non regular downtown visitors that it is not safe. All agreed that police officers walking a regular beat, riding a Segway on a regular beat, or even bicycle cops on a regular beat would be the prefered method of addressing the security concerns of the area.

However... not one person I spoke with... young and old alike... had any objection to street video surviellance. This was a non scientific poll of five or six people having a friendly beer...

Ocklawaha · January 29, 2009, 09:27:55 AM

OCKLAWAHA

Johnny · January 29, 2009, 10:13:50 AM

I think it's fair to say that the conpiracists will in fact quit coming to downtown due to the camera's. Therefore, we may swap a few of those for the elderly suburbanites that will have the false sense of security from surveillance. Either way, it doesn't truly help or hinder downtown, IMO. If we could get rid of some of our homeless population or at least hide them a bit more (camouflage paint?), and get rid of the unnecessary parking meters, we'd be much better off.

downtownjag · January 29, 2009, 11:01:48 AM

In my opinion, the camera's are a ridiculous idea, especially in Jacksonville. I think we need to fix other, more pressing issues; parking meters, the homeless population, and the freeways we call roads downtown before I want to have to worry about the applications that our city would end up using 24/7 monitoring for. I personally live down here and it's not fair to watch me all day long if you aren't going to watch everyone at the beach, southside, etc... you get the point. How long till parking enforcement starts zooming in on expired meters? I most certainly agree that a feeling of security is needed down here for some slices of the population, but patroling cops is the way to go. I like occasionally seeing them on horse. And I don't have to worry about Tom Cruise tackling me in the street for something I was about to do

JaxByDefault · January 29, 2009, 12:55:34 PM

It's just too expensive for something that brings almost nothing to downtown.

By even putting up the cameras, they're basically giving in to the misperception that downtown is not safe.

McBeefkins · January 29, 2009, 02:51:03 PM

sounds like a good idea if its not funded by our tax dollars. In my observation, you need to look at all the facts. Stop channeling your hate with personal observations on how you think the city should be governed.

BTW, what are the facts?

Johnny · January 29, 2009, 03:55:06 PM

I think it's a fact that surveillance can help identify a criminal by reviewing the tape once a crime has occurred.

I am not necessarily for it or against it at the moment, just stating the only fact I know.

JeffreyS · January 30, 2009, 08:51:02 AM

I think this will just be another excuse to underfund our police.

McBeefkins · January 30, 2009, 07:07:01 PM

how about we take the 2 million dollars we spend on tazers and replace them with flowers and start handing them out to all the homeless, or maybe spend tax dollars on a giant sprinkler system that waters the st. johns river. Here's a good one, A giant penis art sculpture in the middle of hemming plaza that costs a million dollars. you would be amazed to see where our money goes. I just would love to start seeing innovative ideas getting tax dollars now! How can a civilization be recognized if they do not build, create, or innovate? yea, my privacy is a major concern when the moment comes when my car gets broken into and some damn thief stole my JB bong collection. I hear all this whining about about "theres no crime downtown". the flippin "parking meters are driving away business", or "I'm scared i will be caught making out with another guy on camera". do you think JSO really cares? your a joke because you don't live downtown and there are no facts. Didn't we have a shooting in hemming plaza during lunch in broad daylight? wake up, that was just 6 months ago? If you think crime is not an issue, then shut up and give me my damn bong back.

Keith-N-Jax · January 30, 2009, 09:16:19 PM

I see nothing wrong with the cameras unless you plan on doing something illegal you shouldnt be worried. I watch forensic files alot and alot of crimes would not have been solved if it were not for video cameras.

DetroitInJAX · January 30, 2009, 09:47:14 PM

I think we should channel the money used for this system into renting tour buses, rounding up all the homeless, and driving them to Miami.

.....Well, not really. But I do agree with whoever said that Downtown has more pressing issues. I lived down there for two years and finally got sick of the parking meters, lack of shopping/entertainment/food (after 5pm), the homeless, my bike getting stolen (twice), my car being broken into, etc...

Now, my only contact with downtown is when Im zooming down State or Union streets between I-95 and the Arlington Expressway... In 2 years I went from eager wannabe downtown resident, drawn in by glossy brochures and slick websites and great views, to a couldnt-run-fast-enough-to-riverside resident who never looked back when he realized that he could WALK to Publix.

Has anyone else seen all the garbage that the homeless leave on the sidewalks around Julia Street?