Greetings, dear reader.
Sometimes, I can’t help but feel like I’m in a strange parallel universe.
No, it’s not like liberals and conservatives are suddenly aligned on their hatred for Flock cameras—that would be wild.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, FLOCK OFF
Just eighteen days after a CCTV camera captured Iryna Zarutska tragically dying from severe injuries, Katie Wilson, a future mayor of Seattle, stated that surveillance cameras posed dangers, claiming “the Trump administration” could use them to target vulnerable members of society.
She stated plainly, “Turning on more cameras won’t magically make our neighborhoods safer.”
She’s absolutely correct. That CCTV on the train wasn’t successful in preventing Decarlos Brown Jr.—a violent criminal with over 17 serious encounters with law—from slashing Zarutska’s throat.
Moreover, she raises valid concerns about how such surveillance could be misused depending on who’s in power.
In the months following her remarks, as the mayoral race intensified, local reporters attempted to get further clarification from her. With rising crime rates in Seattle and certain offenses being recorded on camera leading to charges, they wondered if she was at all worried about her citizens’ safety.
Wilson largely evaded the inquiries, which only amplified the public’s reactions.
Conservatives mocked so-called “foolish libs” like Wilson. At that time, the conservative narrative focused on how body cameras had turned out poorly for liberals who expected them to reveal rampant police brutality. Instead, the footage often showcased people making a fuss, escalating minor interactions into violent incidents, while the police remained surprisingly patient, leading many viewers to cheer when difficult individuals ultimately faced consequences.
Essentially, this whole situation turned out to be a PR disaster for the “Defund the Police” movement. And it seems they’ve learned little, as the controversy surrounding Flock cameras mirrors this very trend.
They’re not genuinely interested in halting crime. They’re right, cameras don’t stop offenses. What seems more concerning for them is avoiding the public outrage that followed Zarutska’s tragic demise. The public was understandably outraged watching her collapse. They began questioning the liberal justice system, finding judges with dubious qualifications and prosecutors willing to release dangerous individuals back into society.
The underlying issue isn’t merely the crime itself. If we actually incarcerated those committing these acts, we’d see a noticeable drop in crime rates (even more so if, well, we took some extreme measures).
While conservatives share some worries about Flock cameras misused for surveillance, our views differ significantly.
Have we already forgotten the craziness during Covid? Remember police showing up at churches to enforce attendance limits? Or people getting verbally assaulted in stores for not wearing masks?
Picture this: you’re outside, tending to your lawn without a mask, and suddenly the police arrive, asking why you’re not adhering to health guidelines. How did they know? A Flock camera on a utility pole by your house recognized your face without a mask and alerted them.
If the goal is to reduce crime, we should start locking people up for longer durations. Heck, I’m on board with public canings. Wouldn’t it send a clear message? The consequences for violent anti-social behavior? They’re back on the table!
The approach to reducing crime is straightforward: prevent it in the first place. Stop normalizing public nuisances like open drug use. Want to advocate for “harm reduction” for addicts? A jail sentence of 180 days might do the trick.
We should have police on the streets, ready to make arrests. We need prosecutors committed to their jobs and judges who impose appropriate sentences.
And what about the plight of missing children? Supporters of Flock cameras might evoke sympathy, but I’m not swayed. You want fewer children trafficked? Secure the borders. Arrest and deport gangs like MS13. Publicly execute convicted child predators—sure, but only after the public caning!
Let’s get seriously tough. And yes, film it. I’m all for it!
The issue isn’t a lack of cameras; it’s a broken justice system.
Remove the soft-hearted individuals in justice, and we’ll cut down on the crimes.
WHAT I’M READING
Outdoor Retail Giant Sues Trump For Shrinking Two National Monuments
The administration’s been making adjustments to national parks and monuments.
EXCLUSIVE: New Poll Shows Majority Of Texans Oppose Flock Cameras
Not surprising. Still noteworthy.
Democrat-Backed Candidate Admits Quiet Part Out Loud: ‘I Have People Recording Me … I’ll Be F**ked’
Wow.
