In Houston (and Chicago), it's 1984 again

Police cameras in private residences? That's what Houston police chief Harold Hurtt wants. This article details his stated desire to require police surveillance in all new malls and apartment complexes, regardless of pre-existing crime levels (in fact some of the places are in safe neighborhoods), as well as in some private residences of known troublemakers. I wonder if such private-residence cameras would be removed if the person moves, or is found not guilty. My guess is, no friggin' way....

Chief Hurtt's idea to put video surveillance in private residences is not new. As far back as 1948, at least one guy also raised the idea in a novel of his, though most people not in law enforcement generally recognize it as not exactly a good thing. Hurtt must have had an urban public school education, where if such concepts and literature are presented at all, they are often not done so in the negative light they deserve to be in. (Many public schools, especially but not limited to urban ones, seem to be evolving into small models of what an Orwellian police state should look like.)

Addendum: this Yahoo poster pointed out another 1984 parallel, and in hindsight it should have been an obvious one: the use of manufactured wars by gov't to stir up support for itself, both patriotic and financial.

Update: In a case of "fascist see, fascist do," "Hizzoner" Mayor Daley of Chicago seems to be following suit. Daley wants to stick telescreens--er, cameras--into every business that's open for 12 hours or longer, and every bar still open at last call. This article has the details.