Tampa Police Eliminate Controversial Facial-Recognition System

[RamboLiberal]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGA44DE5LJD.html

Tampa police have scrapped their controversial security camera system that scanned city streets for criminals, citing its failure over two years to recognize anyone wanted by authorities.
The system was intended to recognize the facial characteristics of felons, sexual predators and runaway children by matching passers-by in Ybor City with a database of 30,000 mug shots.

"It's just proven not to have any benefit to us," Capt. Bob Guidara, a department spokesman, said Tuesday. The cameras have led only to arrests for such crimes as drug deals.

Tampa was the first city in the United States to install the permanent camera surveillance system along public streets and the technology was used during the 2001 Super Bowl.

Critics welcomed the end of the program.

[GainesT1958]

1. I guess they ran into some problems...

When the computer determined they had Osama in their sites outside the Bucaneers' stadium...only to find out it was really Rajhid the waterfront restaurant owner! :eyes:

I know Facistcroft must be ticked at the news, though! :evilfrown:

B-)