August 4th, 2008
NYPD recruit victims of crime, to fight crime
I think it’s fair to say, many will agree with me, that some law enforcement agencies, departments and organisations are a mere haemorrhoid, dangling from the arse of our societies. Strong statement indeed, but what can be done about it? Policy shift, cabinet change, elect a new leader, revolution?
Not interested. Now lucky New Yorkers are given the opportunity to help out the world-renown NYPD by sending in photos and video recordings caught from cell-phones, directly to the central police computers. Of course this is a good thing; the two sides of it enable citizens to help out catching criminals, but also moderates the more “aggressive” police forces by catching police brutality and unethical behaviour.
Students have known to worry about where they live and the fears they face. Foreign students are especially at risk; without wanting to sound demeaning, they can be naive of other cultures, habits and behaviours, especially when it comes to crime that are different to their own.
Using the technology readily available to us, we’ve captured many criminals and felons, without even thinking twice about it.
There are many websites out there, collectively showing the world, glorifying in some cases, violence, crime and disorder. Instead of these helping the police catch those responsible, they provide entertainment to the sick masses.
The fact of the matter is no matter how good a law enforcement agency is, the bulk of intelligence used to help fight crime comes directly from the public and non-police officers. If it wasn’t for an inquisitive ambulance crew in the right place at the right time, London would have been counting the dead after two car bombs were discovered late June last year.
I was in London then, pulling an all-nighter at work to catch up.
Terrorism is a worry; staying vigilant and keeping your eyes open is important. However there is a much higher, substantial risk of “petty” crime - robberies, mugging, violent crime, fraud, and identity theft. Keeping on-guard shouldn’t be something we have to do, but let’s face it - we live in societies where people aren’t always so nice.
Although, on the flip-side to that - stay tuned for a post later this week. I’ll prove that there is good in human nature after all.
Zack Whittaker, the youngest in the ZDNet network, is a British student at the University of Kent, Canterbury, where he studies BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy. His insight into the next-generation is unique and first-hand, sharing his knowledge of the here and now but more so what's next and how to get there.
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| 08/05/08
