“A landlord’s informed take on the D.C. camera program”

Photo by PoPville flickr user John Sonderman

“Dear PoPville,

I was chatting with my landlord the other day about the D.C. camera stipend program, and he had some pretty good thoughts. He wrote them up for me:

Any sensor system, cameras included, are only as good as the neural system they are connected to. With present technologies, that means constant human monitoring, which is both very expensive and rarely done save for interior office building security, banks, and retail stores. Even there, humans with their short attention spans are only marginal. Passive cameras, like those that are everywhere in London, take a lot of data which is rarely analyzed which is why London is still blowing up despite having the highest camera density in the world. To be genuinely effective, the camera system must be dynamically reconfigurable including pointable and tied to a mitigation system if a problem is detected.

The DC effort is simply an attempt at a feel good solution, which will prove ineffective. Within the framework of present tech, lighting and physical barriers are the most effective. I would suggest that you and others keep the front gate always closed and the porch light on. Closed and lit are always less attractive to perps than open and dark. [The house] is effectively zombie-proof when all gates are closed and locked where possible.

Tying the sensors to a synthetic neural system would be the solution. Such an system would be capable of Artificial General Intellligence (AGI). Presently, AGI is thought to be decades away. However, I have a patented architecture which can support AGI and that we are in the process of pitching to VC folks, so watch this space. Better living through physics…

Side note: My landlord is a badass. He was a NASA guy from age 18 until retirement, sent instruments to every planet in the solar system, and ended his time there as a lead scientist in their robotics/exploration program responsible for developing technology for autonomous systems. He secured their four government patents on a synthetic skeletal muscular system, synthetic neural system, and psychological stability. I can’t think of anyone who knows artificial intelligence better than he does.”

While we’re on the topic: Mayor Bowser Announces Success and Extension of the Private Security Camera Incentive Program

“Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, along with the Director of the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants Michelle M. Garcia, reported on the success and expansion of Washington, DC’s Private Security Camera Incentive Program. The program provides rebates for the purchase, installation, and registration of a security camera system on the exterior of a building owned or leased by a resident, business, nonprofit, or religious institution.

Mayor Bowser originally introduced legislation to create the program in 2015 as part of her comprehensive public safety agenda, “Safer, Stronger DC.” Since the program was launched in February, over 1,000 applications for rebates have been approved, funding over 2,500 cameras across all eight wards.

“The Private Security Camera Incentive Program is an example of how we can work together with the community to create a safer, stronger DC,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “I am thrilled that so many people have taken advantage of the program. On multiple occasions since the program was launched, MPD has used camera video to aid in criminal investigations and the apprehension of suspects. I thank the Council for their support of the program, and recognize Ward 6 Councilmember Charles Allen for his leadership on this issue.”

Installed cameras must be registered with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), providing officers with the ability to request the video footage while investigating criminal activity that may have occurred in the vicinity of the camera.

The program provides a rebate of:

· Up to $200 of the purchase price per camera installed on the exterior of a residential building, with a maximum rebate of up to $500 per residential address; and

· Up to $200 of the purchase price per camera installed on the exterior of a business, commercial, nonprofit, or religious institution with a maximum rebate of up to $750 per address.

For more information about the program, residents can visit www.ovsjg.dc.gov or contact the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants at [email protected] or (202) 727-5124.”