NYC Announces New Counterterrorism System — Will It Lead to ‘Unconstitutional Warrantless Surveillance’?
- Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:10am by
Liz Klimas
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Police officers work in the operations center of the Lower Manhattan Security Coordination Center in 2011. This center will be the headquarters for operating the new DAS developed in partnership with Microsoft. (Photo: AP/Mary Altaffer)
On Wednesday, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced at a press conference the city would soon be deploying a new counterterrorism system that would “[make] it easier for [officers] to determine if a crime is part of an ongoing pattern.“ Privacy advocates though have expressed concern that the system would reveal ”intimate facts about your life.”
The “Domain Awareness System” created out of a partnership with Microsoft leverages existing counterterrorism infrastructure, such as cameras and other data and tools held by the NYPD. According to the city’s statement, the DAS “aggregates and analyzes existing public safety data streams in real time, providing NYPD investigators and analysts with a comprehensive view of potential threats and criminal activity.”
“This new system capitalizes on new powerful policing software that allows police officers and other personnel to more quickly access relevant information gathered from existing cameras, 911 calls, previous crime reports and other existing tools and technology,” Bloomberg said in the statement. “It will help the NYPD do more to prevent crimes from occurring and help them respond to crimes even more effectively. And because the NYPD built the system in partnership with Microsoft, the sale of the product will generate revenue for the City that will fund more new crime-prevention and counter-terrorism programs.”
The city will receive 30 percent of revenues on Microsoft’s future sales of the Domain Awareness System, according to the statement.
Watch this Fox News report on the system with some footage of Bloomberg’s announcement:
New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly, who spoke at the Aspen Security Forum Saturday, said the program combines city-wide video surveillance with law enforcement databases.
The system will connect the city’s 3,000 CCTV cameras, license plate readers, environmental sensors and other law enforcement databases. Fast Companies explains more about the system’s data collection, which will take place only in public places, and how it could be used:
Monitoring will take place 24 hours a day, seven days a week at a specialized location in Lower Manhattan. Video will be held for 30 days and then deleted unless the NYPD chooses to archive it. Metadata and license plate info collected by DAS will be retained for five years, and unspecified “environmental data” will be stored indefinitely.
[...]
Although NYPD documents indicate that the system is specifically designed for anti-terrorism operations, any incidental data it collects “for a legitimate law enforcement or public safety purpose” by DAS can be utilized by the police department. The NYPD will also share data and video with third parties not limited to law enforcement if either a subpoena or memorandum of understanding exists. The DAS system is headquartered in a lower Manhattan office tower in a command-and-control center staffed around the clock by both New York police and “private stakeholders.”
Read more about the data collection, uses and privacy guidelines detailed in a city document here.
PC World reports a member of the privacy advocacy group expressing concern that such a program could lead to “routine, unconstitutional warrantless surveillance”:
It is scandalous for Microsoft and the NYPD to describe location data from license plate readers and surveillance cameras as “public safety data”, said Peter Eckersley, technology projects director, at the Electronic Frontier Foundation in an email. “If you drive a car, the history of where you drive it reveals numerous intimate facts about your life. All of this information about New Yorkers is now going to be hoovered up without consent, accountability, or judicial oversight.”
Still, Bloomberg attempted to dispel concerns such as this saying the technology used in the system is something the private sector has employed for some time, according to Gothamist:
“If you walk around with a cell phone, the cell phone company knows where you are…We‘re not your mom and pop’s police department anymore.”
Gothamist also got a look inside the headquarters that will be monitoring information coming through this system. Below are a few of those photos, but be sure to check them all out here.
(Photo: Gothamist)
(Photo: Gothamist)
(Photo: Gothamist)
The NYPD has also been under fire for surveillance of Muslim communities and partnering with the CIA to track potential terror suspects. Muslim groups have sued to shut down the NYPD programs.
Kelly defended the policies as key to thwarting 14 terror plots against the city since the attacks of Sept. 11th.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Comments (54)
Arshloch
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 3:24pmPolice is not only a ‘job’, it is a state of mind. That state of mind is best described as‘ you are guilty unless you can prove otherwise’, or the ‘I’m in charge here‘ slop foisted on anyone not a ’POLICE’.
Report Post »The only difference between the cop on the beat and the Gestapo agent is the Constitution. With the occupant of the Oval Office ignoring the Constitution at will and the NY city Furher a nut case ranting about cola crime and formula, what else can be expected but a police city?
RDawkins
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:02pmPolice have no legal duty to respond and prevent crime or protect the victim.
There have BEEN OVER 10 various supreme and state court cases the individual has never won. Notably, the Supreme Court STATED about the responsibility of police for the security of your family and loved ones is “You, and only you, are responsible for your security and the security of your family and loved ones. That was the essence of a U.S. Supreme Court decision in the early 1980′s when they ruled that the police do not have a duty to protect you as an individual, but to protect society as a whole.”
“It is well-settled fact of American law that the police have no legal duty to protect any individual citizen from crime, even if the citizen has received death threats and the police have negligently failed to provide protection.”
Report Post »drphil69
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:39pmSo when will “precogs” be used to arrest people before they commit a crime?
No matter, we will all be SLAVES TO THE STATE real soon.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:23pmNYC = Nazi Yo-yo City
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:19pmI am so glad NYC can protect their citizens against Big Gulps,Buttered Pop Corn,Smoking,Baby Formula,Milk Shakes, and Minorities now. Have they figured out a way to use a drone to home in on the Perpetrator and Explode yet?
Report Post »“We a have a Black Man eating Buttered Pop Corn and Smoking a Newport on Third Street!Quick Send in the Killer Drone!”
blackyb
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:10pmMayor Bloomberg is an embarrassment to America. New York City deserves better than that. This idiot man must have nothing better to do than to go around telling people what to eat, drink and conduct their own private lives. Get you a real mayor and get that leftist leaning, nosey old ninny nanny out of there.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:19pmBill O’Reilly saw it and had an Obamagasm.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 4:07pmNew york deserves what it gets. They vote for these idiots. New York is full of commies, just like California, but maybe a tad less crazy. The city is run and owned by Mob bosses. Business still have to pay protection money to mafia thugs. It is just a matter of time before the entire city gets leveled. You could not pay me to go there, even just for a visit.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:05pmIn ways, it could be helpful, but that mayor up there (Bloomberg) is a Blooming idiot. Where did they dig him up from? It must have been some insane asylum. Get rid of that jerk and get a man who is not listing to the left so bad he needs a pole up his butt so he can walk simi-straight. He is not quite right and he has a few bolts in his head that definitely are loose. You folks can surely do better than that.
Report Post »Ballot_Box_Revolution
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 8:58pmIt could be harmful too….The system is just that…a system, it is how people use the system. And they way things are now i don’t trust anyone who would have control of that system.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:47pmThe first guy to (black) market a cheap, reliable, portable Surface to Air Missile designed for drones is going to make a fortune…
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:20pmI think it is called 30-06.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:10pmIt reeks with despotism.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:11pmDon’t it? It really does.
Report Post »thegreatcarnac
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:57amThe government should not be allowed to put cameras everywhere….not even a city government. This will be used to the detriment of the citizenry eventually. The government is oppressive and does not really care for your safety…, they have ulterior motives. If everyone could carry a gun there would be no need for cameras…..just more graveyard space for criminals.
Report Post »red_white_blue2
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:42pmagreed!
Report Post »altops
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 11:51amonly sheeple , suckers, and morons live in NY. Choke on your slave state.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:59amNDAA and the patriot act have effectively eviscerated the constitution and DHS is the modern day stasi. NYC is wired just like London eyes on 24/7 keeping you safe,you‘ll have have so much safety you’ll have lost all your civil liberties in the process,just like the regime wants it a docile populace so blinded by fear you can‘t see what you’ve lost.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:17pmThis could be used to counter terrorism, but since our President smoozes the enemy, Bloomberg will have to to, or he will feel he is not a part of something he imagines in the first place. These people let all these people in this country and then have to spend billions to monitor them, but in reality, I am wondering if they are not monitoring those who are pro-America. These bums are like cockroaches, they have come in in stealth and have proceeded to get into our government, federal, state and local until they are turning and twisting everything for the Obama agenda. They better monitor because when the full force of the Americans realize what is going on there will be some trouble on a grand scale. So far they have kept a lot of things hidden by dividing the country and keeping the population busy with various issues that are nothing short of diversion tactics. It will hit and hit hard one of these days and the stuff will hit the fan.
Report Post »piper60
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:59amMajority Report and 1984 combined. Amazing how art imitates life now. Isn’t it?
Report Post »woodyee
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:51amAw heck – let’s all become Muslims. Then it’ll just be down-right un-PC to do anything with us – just ask the American Communist Lawyers Union, or ACLU for short…
Report Post »cdn1979
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:36amdont worry. the patriot act has already stomped on civil liberties. can’t get much worse.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:44amSure it can. Every new anti-terrorism and homeland security initiative further cements America’s decline into despotism. Curse the RINO’s in the Senate and Congress for killing freedom.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:35pmRomney 2012! <—-Sarcasm.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:49pmOne Word: Stasi
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:08amThese cameras are not going to simply be used for “public safety”! It is bait and switch. Just a few years ago (maybe 3 years?) Memphis installed red light cameras at traffic intersections that had high incident rates of accidents. Already Memphis wants to use these cameras to see who enters the city from the suburbs by reading the license plates. If you enter the city more than two times per week you will have to have your vehicle inspected – which of course costs YOU time and money! Next thing coming will probably be TAXES for those who enter the city! The gov. is figuring out ways to use these cameras for monetary purposes.
Report Post »Tigress1
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:24amA link to the above reference in Memphis:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/may/17/proposed-fee-likely-legal/?partner=RSS
Report Post »omgfolks
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 12:33pmWell of course they are. Monetary gain is the objective, they disguise the intention like anything else using their scare tactics claiming terrorism so they can control the masses in the event of a civil uprising against the govememtn. List’s and data has been complied for years on everyday citizens and used against them. These camera need to be removed .
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:58amDon’t you feel all warm safe and fuzzy.Not Who are those private enterprises and stake holders?Hum in due time it will be a private detective agency run by a JAF member no doubt.If it isn’t already.Oh what. you mean to tell me, you didn’t know that certain cells use train and have their own private eyes.It makes it easier to surrveil your targets both infrastructure and people.Well when they aren’t impersonating military and police.They do that with a much higher frequency than you would imagine too.
Report Post »Oldphoto678
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:56amBTW, I hope the government keeps a boot on your neck 24/7
Report Post »objectivetruth
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 2:03pmWhose neck are you even talking about?You are angry hateful and seemingly vindictive to a fault.However, in no other post I’ve read of yours ,have you displayed nutiness till now.Are you suffering from male menapause?Wife irritate you.Every comment has been something about women in it and quite negative.
Report Post »Oldphoto678
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:54amGet over it. The constitution gives you very little right to privacy. If you don’t like it stay in your house. Or better yet, GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY!!!
KICHAGRANDMA…WE THE PEOPLE my a$$. More like WE THE RIGHT WING LUNATIC FRINGE. You’re not part of the problem. You and you ilk are the problem!!!! And, You’re the minority.
Report Post »goahead.makemyday
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:59amIt doesn’t give us a right to privacy, the bill of rights does. It gives protection from unwarranted search and seizures, it also limits government involvement.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.-http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/fourth_amendment
Notice persons? That means even if you’re in public you cannot be searched without a warrant, a police officer can’t just walk up behind you knock you on the ground and search you without probable cause. This issue does not go against the 4th amendment. However, it is gathering information without judicial oversight. And parameters could be set for ‘domestic terrorists“ and ”hate speech” also known as government opposition and disagreeable free speech. Also if a person visits NYC for a day and forgets they have a rifle stuffed behind the bench in the truck. If the people watching the cameras believe they saw the butt of the rifle they can arrest that person. This sets a very dangerous precedent in law enforcement or rather oppression if things go in a bad way.
Report Post »Wethepeoplehavehadenough
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 3:08pmactually you really need to read the constitution before you make silly statements about what is in it.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:48amMaybe they are just looking for those 17 oz. sugar drink offenders.
Report Post »blackyb
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 1:12pmI was thinking the very same thing. Lol.
Report Post »www.TopTheNews.com
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:45amNYC is a police state in itself. We can only hope it doesn’t spread to the rest of the country.
Report Post »JimL
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 10:25amAutomated fine/ payment for respiring while being 2 dev.s above norm.
Report Post »Individualism
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:37ami think soon we should buy linux and get rid of microsoft.
Report Post »rpp
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:28amSounds like the fictional Machine from the CBS drama “Person of Interest” may not be so fictional after all.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:28amWell the Patriot Act is Unconstitutional, so…
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:20amNYC all wired up and safe,sounds like the TV show person of interest with all that security the government will know everything about you. Not to worry though with your personal info in the hands of the government you’ll be just fine.lol
The E.German stasi is reborn in NYC and will be appearing everywhere real soon,but hey you’ll be safe right?
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 4:12pmThats OK, the emp from an inevitable nuclear device will render the city dark for good. Bad guys don’t even need to get it into the city, a boat in the harbor would be plenty close
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:18amOne more example of the Big Sister network closing around our throats as the trap door prepares to open beneath our feet and leave us hanging at the end of a rope. Obama and this level of madness must be stopped.
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 9, 2012 at 9:23amAgree! WE THE PEOPLE are part of the solution not part of the problem, but we are running out of time really fast.
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