Dashcams at the border

[QRTRHRS]

I crossed over at Alexandria Bay numerous times a week 1978-1980 time frame with a truck. Never an issue with either side. I pretty much knew every person yet kept it yes sir, no sir, yes mam, no mam.

Fast forward to 2006-early 2008 when I crossed over the Peace Bridge maybe a half a dozon times a year. The Canadian side was polite, spoke clearly, nary an issue. At that time, I did not wear hearing aids and could pass my medical but my hearing was not the best. Different story coming back into the US. More often than not, I could not understand what the officer was saying to me over the din of the engine and my hearing which seemed to ajitate them. Their attitude was already one that missed their "Wheaties" that day. Though I knew my rig, I did not shut off the engine unless I absolutely had to in order to understand what was being said. God forbid the danged thing would not start back up. I was usually pulling a single empty pup which they would X-ray if it was around 2am? Bored?

I understand that these people have a job to do. IMHO, I wonder if they had a true incident if they could actually handle it?

 

[3930dave]

Keeping security forces in a suitable state of readiness, w/o creating inappropriate incidents can be a challenge.

1984, thirty years on. The majority of people today have accepted that we live in a total surveillance society, at least in terms of public spaces. Where we as individuals can get tripped up, is assuming this is a 2 way street.

I've heard that Taser had won some contracts from police departments recently for their ruggedized body-worn cameras. So, as a citizen, we can expect constant video surveillance in public. Digital privacy (internet and voice) have been well discussed in other threads. Realistically, we should expect zero privacy in those domains too. Not ranting here, just a statement.

So, the issue with cameras comes down to which way they are pointed, and when.

A little UnCommon sense is useful. While our RCMP here may encourage tourists to take pictures of our red serge coated Mounties on ceremonial duty, like any security force they have legitimate operations were they do not want their personnel, vehicles, and activities monitored.

At any border, someone getting out of their vehicle and trying to wander around a secure facility with a camera should expect to be met with an appropriately forceful response, and detailed questioning. You could not have a secure border otherwise. UnCommon Sense.

Where this can get confusing, is when you travel. I've heard of some USA jurisdiction passing general laws about recording images of LEOs in public. Like many people, when I travel I like to take pictures of my trip. If I'm taking a picture of a street scene I like, do I now have to be concerned if there is a uniformed police officer as part of the street scene ? Not something you want to stumble into, and could defeat the point of taking a vacation to "relax".

I'm obviously not thinking of high-security areas like a border crossing when I say this, but isn't the common response the odd time a citizen questions pervasive surveillance "Well, if you are not doing anything Wrong, what is your issue with having this in place ?" I guess the core of the question for me is - Does that apply to everybody occupying a public space ?

Where these laws apply, they need to be communicated better. It sounds like the US border services needs to come up with a clear Public Statement concerning dashcams. Then, the sign concerning that information needs to be erected on the Canadian side of the border. We Canucks obviously would co-operate on this, but as I grew up in Ottawa with an appreciation that it can take 6 months to get a doorknob changed on a govt project, threads like this will have to suffice for now.

Drive and 'cam safe/legal out there.

Rgds, D.

 

[3930dave]

Boy, this thread was further back in time than I thought.

A good friend sent me a clip from his helmet cam recently, of an serious incident he was almost involved in. (Oncoming lunatic on a 2lane road, passing a line of vehicles).

Reminded me I should get off my ______ and get something behind my windshield.

A Garmin cam caught my attention recently, so started this thread for feedback.....

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/trailers-transportation/429445-garmin-dash-cam.html#post5809452

Rgds, D.