Are you being watched? Should you be worried

3rd Nov 2007

Although most of my day to day work involves designing and developing web sites in Hervey Bay, I still do IT work for a select number of small businesses in the Wide Bay. Not doing computer repairs, but more involved IT work within Networking and Security systems.

Today, my usual Saturday driving around visiting relatives was interrupted when I got a call from one of my clients for whom I support their IT surveillance and Computer systems. This client’s security set up involves a number of cameras located around his premises and one additional camera that is streamed to the internet. A miscellaneous visitor to the website, from a different state, during the middle of the night, noticed something strange that was occuring in the live footage. After calling the security company, some guards were dispatched to the site to investigate some suspicious activity.

Without disclosing information, the security system that is publicly available, and sometimes criticised for “intruding on peoples privacy” has now provided some crucial information on a case with the local authorities.If you’re in a public area, such as the beach, is being filmed by surveillance intruding on your privacy? You’re in a public area, what have you got to hide? It’s in cases like this, where the surveillance has now possibly saved the life in some shape or form of a young person.

If you or your business is not fully protected, or lacking the cutting edge is security and surveillance, call Baywide Security for a complete package in Security Services.

14 comments

Ben,
I don’t know what % of the population have criminal intent, but i would suggest it’s small. I rate personal privacy very highly, I think most people do. Under the guise of saving us from terrorist and that small criminal element, peoples wrights are being erroded. Believe me Ben, when I say how sorry I am for you and your future children. Read 1984 and prepare yourself.

jonangel on 5th November, 2007 at 12:21 am
Thanks for contributing to the site

I’m not talking about being filmed in your own back yard, or lounge room. I believe in privacy aswell. I wouldn’t like to have security cameras watching me at work, or home, or anywhere I let my guard down.

But when you’re in a public area, such as the beach, or a park, or the side of the road. Well, you don’t know who’s looking at you already. How do you know there isn’t someone in that bush, just behind you. If you’re in public, then I don’t have any real problem with being under surveillance.

Ben May on 5th November, 2007 at 1:00 am
Ben,
I don’t want to prelong this dabate, but please do a little research. Both state and federal governments are slowly but surely errodeing the people’s wrights. Right to strike, gun laws, compulsary voteing, politically correct speech, the list goes on. Imprisonment without trial, don’t trust a Muslem. Ben, just do some research, don’t believe me, read and inwardly digest.

jonangel on 5th November, 2007 at 2:00 am
Jon, Gun laws I believe in. It’s 2007 not everyone needs a gun. Law enforcement, farmers and sportsman need guns. I know I don’t and normal residents don’t either.

I don’t want Australia loosing our strict laws and start drowning in guns like the United States. We don’t need those problems.

Mike Beckham on 5th November, 2007 at 2:04 am
Mike,
Don’t take things out of context, guns are only an illustration. If I can own a fishing rod, why not a gun? Killing people is only one use for a gun, there are many others. As for America’s problems, we already have most of them here. But to use guns as an example, Australia had gun ownership for well over 100 years, I would suggest our violent crime rate is greater today than it has ever been. We are a people scared of our own shadows, not a nice way to live. But worse is yet to come, like Ben try reading 1984.

jonangel on 5th November, 2007 at 2:26 am
I’m not worried about someone going mental and hitting me with a fishing rod. That would be the difference in my opinion.

“Don’t trust a muslem” I haven’t heard that law. Ha Ha..

But seriously, I will get that book at some stage and give it a read. I’ll even post a book report when I’m done, how’s that.

Ben May on 5th November, 2007 at 2:40 am
Ben,
If you are going to take-up reading, try these -
Brave New world;
Your Future in your hands;
The Sandline Afair and
The Enemy Unmasked.

Then post your views on life.

jonangel on 5th November, 2007 at 1:20 pm
A book Won’t change my opinion of life thank you.

And I’ll read the first one, the rest, well.. that’s more books than I like to read in a decade

Ben May on 5th November, 2007 at 1:23 pm
I’m sorry but our views differ on Gun laws, a normal person does not and should not need to have a firearm. Especially in this era, it’s not necessary, safe or practical.

Mike Beckham on 5th November, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Mike,
Please define “a normal person”

Mike.
Please define “a normal person” for me? Why shouldn’t I have a firearm? What is unsafe, un-necessary or impractical in owning a firearm? What has the era to do with the people’s rights?
Sorry Mike, not logical thinking.

jonangel on 5th November, 2007 at 2:49 pm
A normal (everyday) person would be somebody who isn’t a law enforcement official, a farmer who requires one or someone who does not use it for sport (and even then there are well thought out restrictions with taking it home with you).

If you have no use of one why should you be able to have one willy-nilly knowing the dangers of guns. Even with gun safes it’s still possible for it to get into the wrong hands (like your own kids) and you know the statistics about using it for defence, you’re more likely to shoot a family member than a intruder.

I don’t see why in 2007 with law enforcement as it is and security systems and all the other 21st century protection we have why we need a dangerous, lethal object in homes that don’t require them.

Apparently most of Australia agrees with me sadly America’s have not woken up to the downsides and hide behind the constitution (and NRA).

If you don’t know why it’s unsafe then I shouldn’t waste time expressing my opinion.

Mike Beckham on 5th November, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Mike,
Based on your latest post, law enforcement officers, farmers and sporting shooters aren’t normal people! Most homes have many “lethal objects” in them, so what? Regarding safety, I’m more likely to be run over than shot.
Sorry Mike, not a good response.

jonangel on 5th November, 2007 at 4:19 pm
I’m Sorry I didn’t impress you, sir.

Mike Beckham on 5th November, 2007 at 4:22 pm
Jonangle, Most households don’t have life threatening objects inside. A knife, sure it’s dangerous, but I’d still rather have someone come at me with a knife, rather than a gun. A Gun is instant death. That’s the difference I fear.

Cole on 5th November, 2007 at 6:49 pm