BBC: Some residents 'furious' over NYC terror checks David Edwards and Stephen C. Webster

Published: Tuesday August 19, 2008





Print This Email This 'Operation Sentinel,' a project of the New York Police Department which would have every vehicle in Manhattan tracked by a series of license plate scanners, is cause for fury among some New York City residents.



Details of the program were reported by RAW STORY on August 12. A similar security grid is being developed for Washington, D.C.



In an August 19 report, BBC's Wendy Urquhart found that while some are accepting of the plan's invasive measures, others are not taking the news so lightly.



"It is a comprehensive security program to protect the lower Manhattan area -- indeed, all of Manhattan -- from vehicle-born explosive devices," said Ray Kelly, New York City's police commissioner. He added that data gathered by the system will be expunged within 30 days unless police have use for it.



"This is more like being under communist reign, instead of being in a free country and being able to choose where you want to go, when you want to go, and not be monitored at all times," said a NYC man interviewed by the BBC. "I don't think it's right."



"I mean, if you don't have anything to worry about, you won't worry," argued another interviewee. "Now, if you're trying to hide something and they scan your license plate, you have a problem then, there's good reason."



Despite assurances from police and city officials that the thousands of cameras are for the benefit of residents, convincing New Yorkers to accept the plan 'won't be easy,' says Urquhart.



This video is from BBC, broadcast August 19, 2008.





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