America welcomes a new brand of smart street lightning systems: energy-efficient, long-lasting, complete with LED screens to show ads. They can also spy on citizens in a way George Orwell would not have imagined in his worst nightmare.

­With a price tag of $3,000+ apiece, according to an ABC report, the street lights are now being rolled out in Detroit, Chicago and Pittsburgh, and may soon mushroom all across the country.

Originally posted by theGreatunhosed
reply to post by woodwardjnr

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you're right but the police only seem to interested in protecting 'tapayers' and view the poor, the unemployed and ethnic minorities with suspicion. for this reason many crimes against these groupes don't get reported. i've been the victim of two violent crimes this month. only one got reported and when the police came they assumed i was up to no good and was subject to aggressive questioning. earlier this year i was physically threatened and pinned against a wall for refusing to eplain why i was wearing my coat, the officer with si of his colleages said 'we don't have to deal with little sh*ts like you anymore, you should read the papers"...."our job is to protect the taxpayer".... he didn't once threaten me with arrest, i hadn't broken the law. this is the reality of british policing.....f**k the police.....

May 3, 2012

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Operating effectively without cable installation, underground trenching or wire maintenance to set-up the control of the outdoor lighting, sound and video, SmartSite is a 24/7 area-wide system that offers architectural luminaire styles, a robust platform, digital wireless solutions, Wi-Fi capabilities, and a myriad of homeland security features. SmartSite also offers multimedia solutions that can upgrade an existing infrastructure to provide information, advertising, security and entertainment for public spaces with streetlights that automatically adjust the lighting to illuminate the area with the specific amount of light needed. The digital display banners, and synchronized sound from integrated speakers on each "Smart" light pole, will provide a seamless audience experience as well as generate a measurable revenue stream.

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When you step come into view of the street light, there is a camera that spots you, and the person on the other side sees you by white specs on a black screen. [B]The camera senses that somebody is there, and if wants, it can even take your picture.[/B]

The system is also capable of recording conversations making critics cry invasion of privacy.

“This is not a system with spook technology. It’s much more transparent. It can just talk to you and say, don’t fall over Niagara Falls,” said Harwood.

Basic light starts at $3,000 dollars. By Spring of next year there is a good chance you could see them pop up in your city.

The first of these light poles sit on 10 mile Road just East of Orchard Lake Road. Harwood already has orders from cities across Metro Detroit, Chicago, Pittsburgh and he's working with Homeland Security.

I have a question, how can one expect privacy in public?

SECTION 1. All people are by nature free and independent and have inalienable rights. Among these are enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.