Chopper Stopper

[right wing]

The CoastGuard should certainly not have taped the couple, that is not ethical at all. It was even dumber to let the tape out into the internet world. I would like to know if they were punished and what price they paid.

 

However, if you think the police, in general or in the air have the time or even care what you are doing in your backyard, you suffer from severe paranoia, and it will destroy ya.

 

Big brother can already see what is going on with all the satalite photos available to all of us on the internet, or try and guess how many time you are photgraphed each day, in the store, at the bank, on the street, at the airport.

 

Helen Armstrong, Heather Mallick and all the others at Stop the Choppers are ignorant of the facts and have distorted the truth. Miller and others have allowed them to carry on and he is just as culpable because of his willful negligence.

 

Hopefully someone without profit to gain will stand up and speak the truth to politician and bureaucrats so they can make an educated decision.

[transquebecniece]

It was actually a U.S. Navy heli that did the videotaping; no idea if they were reprimanded.

 

But anyway, there are countless stories of the good that has come from the use of police helis in North America and around the world. And I have no doubt that there are all kinds of standards, policies and procedures in place that deal with noise, invasion of privacy, et al.

 

When a police heli is deployed because intelligence-led, high-visibility patrolling is needed, I would think residents would feel reassured in knowing that crime is being detected, prevented and/or deterred.

 

I don't understand what all the turmoil is about if a charitable organization wants to fund a new police helicopter. Just curious. Seems odd.

[twinstar_ca]

it seems very odd, TQN... i think that a visit to the ALEA website for some of those people would be very educational...

 

as seen in calgary and edmonton, i fail to see how anyone can say they don't make a difference..

[WTF_was_that]

If privacy is an issue. What about CTV's jet box 1000mm zoom lens. Police are "usually" upstanding members of community. TV reporters hmmmmm. Makes ya think.

[w squared]

I'm not going to adress the standards of professional conduct in regards to videotaping someone during an intimate/exposed moment. However, in Candada, the law says that if you can see an act/event/scene from a public place (airspace), then photgraphing/watching/taping it is also legal, and said image of the event belongs to you.

 

When this changes is if the taping/photo/etc occurs in a place where you are trespassing to get the shot.

 

What this does is places the onus upon each citizen to ensure that if they wish something to remain 100% private, they need to do it in a place that is private. Maybe it's a little bit "caveat emptor" for the citizen who wishes privacy, but it also makes sure that people will think twice about running around the house naked without putting up some curtains.

[helicopper]

until TPS gets its act together and builds a solid business case supporting their advancement into the 21st century of policing, the vocal minority will continue to thwart the best efforts of the silent majority who all recognize the incredible potential of the airborne communications centre and thermal imaging platform...

 

TPS both COULD and SHOULD have a minimum of four (4) operational single-engine helos serving the greater toronto area... creative financing can support such an initiative with unqualified public endorsement...

 

for instance...

 

the reincarnation of photo radar with levied fines earmarked initially for aviation services' support would be an easy pill for all to swallow... let the high-milers pay for the helo unit... (the city of EDMONTON realized photo radar fines in excess of 12 million dollars in 1998!!!)

 

a little long-term thinking by toronto's councillors would further endorse the immediate creation of a helo unit... the millions of dollars saved annually in current civil litigation payouts for high-speed pursuits that end in the loss of innocent lives would easily support such a unit, the creation of which would pay for itself within a few years with ongoing civil litigation savings recovered annually.

 

until the powers-that-be in "tronna" start thinking outside the box instead of worrying over both initial costs and the politics associated with obvious ignorance over current rotary wing technology/capabilities, TPS personnel will continue to be subjected to the dangers attributed to archaic thinking... while this very large group of INCREDIBLY fine people deserve NOTHING LESS THAN THE BEST TOOLS TO DO THEIR JOB.

[Elvis]

[PerfectTrack]

I was at an x-mas parade today and it was interesting to note alot of firetrucks with a statement "Donated by..." (or similiar)

 

Wonder why the TPS, and TO's Mayor, are so concerned over freebies when many many surrounding communities take advantage of it for their local needs.

 

Maybe one day the light will illuminate in their dark feeble minds.

[transquebecniece]

You never say much, Helicopper...but when you do, YOU DO! :up: (Was hoping you would!)

 

If law enforcement and other safety/protection agencies such as police and fire departments had to rely solely on city/county budgets for the equipment they need, we'd ALL be in trouble.

 

That's one heckuvan (yes, that's a word!) offer made by RSAR; hopefully residents and decision-makers will recognize its true value, potential and benefit before the offer is rescinded due to controversy and red tape.

[Invisible]

You may all find it interesting that the Mayor of Toronto wasn't even in attendance at the recent Police Services Board meeting. He did however find the time to attend immediately after the meeting to give comments to the media. In speaking with someone who did find the time to sit and listen to the depositions provided to the Police Services Board it became obvious that once again the silent majority, as indicated by my fellow vertically challenged friend Helicopper, was outvoiced by self interest vocal minority. The presentation presented by Trevor Harness was described as professional and well laid out. He was able to answer the questions put to him in a manner that shows he has done his research and has consulted with people that have a great deal of knowledge in both policing, and aviation.

 

Unfortunately when you reach the position of Chief, it is a political position, and if you aren't in line with the Government of the day, your time is limited. It's safe to assume that if Julian Fantino was still Chief there would be no doubt on his take on the issue. I don't know why one of the Regional Services without a helicopter in the area isn't already on the phone to RASAR. I just hope it's not because everyone else has said, "If you get Toronto, we're in too".

 

Here's hoping that the majority finds their voice and at the same time helps the vocal minority become more educated on the realities of the industry. (Could also be read as pull their heads out of their own a**es!) :shock: