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@ At least half a dozen boxes that apparently contain cameras have been hung on utility poles in St. Lawrence County, and in at least in one case, without authorization.
@ Jay said even extreme close-up photos reveal no identifying markings or statements of ownership.
@ State Police Lt. Kevin Boyea of Troop B said he has no knowledge of the cameras, their origin or their purpose. A spokesperson from National Grid had not yet responded to a request for comment by the time this story was posted
@ Massena Electric’s McMahon said he has been working with Massena Police Chief Timmy Currier about mounting some cameras at intersections and at a playground, “so police can monitor those areas,” but he said that program has nothing to do with the camera his crew found.
The mystery surrounding those boxes of cameras on utility poles in St. Lawrence County has been solved - sort of. 7 News got some answers Friday from Derek Champagne, Franklin County's district attorney. "It's simply license plate readers and it's just simply part of a grant regarding border related crime," said Champagne. However, he wouldn't comment on who put up the cameras or what it cost.
According to Champagne, an estimated $1 billion worth of drugs are smuggled south through St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton counties every year. "Hopefully we can confirm or disavow what's going on regarding some of these stops and seizures," he said. "(It's for) border-related crime...Local traffic is not the focus of this project."
A number of people in St. Lawrence County have expressed concern over the cameras. Many of them are upset because they feel like Big Brother is watching them - in reference to George Orwell's book "1984.
According to Champagne, an estimated $1 billion worth of drugs are smuggled south through St. Lawrence, Franklin and Clinton counties every year. "Hopefully we can confirm or disavow what's going on regarding some of these stops and seizures," he said. "(It's for) border-related crime...Local traffic is not the focus of this project.
At least three new sets of surveillance cameras have been installed in St. Lawrence County over the summer according to channel 7 News. The cameras, or "plate readers," are part of a larger surveillance system funded by federal Homeland Security and state grants. They are designed different than others that have been installed in places like Heuvelton, or in the Hermon-DeKalb area and the locations were not publicized. The weather-resistant cameras were reportedly used during the abduction of the two Amish sisters in the town of Oswegatchie. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is also using a remote infrared video surveillance system with cameras strategically placed along the U.S. - Canadian border to help detect illegal entry.
originally posted by: MyHappyDogShiner
Look at the potential use of the technology contained in your new cars.
If your car has WiFi, it also has an IP address, doesn't it?.
Cameras like this won't be needed when they have everyone spying on each other, like they pretty much already do.
Maybe the cameras are there to monitor wildlife activity.
Why doesn't somebody just ask?.
originally posted by: Wolfenz Well its been 4 years and still No Answer's of who placed these so called Licence Plate Reader's up on the Pole's around St Lawrence County .. and still no identification marks.. of Ownership nor Company that made them... some as far as Norwood Norfolk , Madrid , Heuvelton, Hermon-DeKalb No where near , The Canadian/American Boarder and the Majority are in Dairy n Beef Farm Towns well here are some Video's .. And for Boarder Drug Smuggling ? is the Reason why they were placed there in the first place !! Nothing has Changed nor In proved. in anything of that ... There still Drug Trafficking ( at a Minimum ) between The Two Countries. Nothing in the Local Newspapers showing a Significant Increase of Stopping Drug Smuggling nor Preventing it .. So what is the Real Reason why.. ? Some of these Cameras ( as Ive seen them myself ) are in the middle of No where, in simple Farming Town's as One Surveillance Camera on a Road around Madrid NY , Has only 3 to 4 Vehicles going on the Road where this Camera is ,throughout the whole day , that has Practically No traffic at all and the fact is those Vehicles s are just mostly are from the People that Live on that Road!! ( UPDATE : kinda Sorta ) just a little More Up Date from Aug 2014 ( just a fraction ) LOL in a Local newspaper called Indian Times ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY GETS MORE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS At least three new sets of surveillance cameras have been installed in St. Lawrence County over the summer according to channel 7 News. The cameras, or "plate readers," are part of a larger surveillance system funded by federal Homeland Security and state grants. They are designed different than others that have been installed in places like Heuvelton, or in the Hermon-DeKalb area and the locations were not publicized. The weather-resistant cameras were reportedly used during the abduction of the two Amish sisters in the town of Oswegatchie. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is also using a remote infrared video surveillance system with cameras strategically placed along the U.S. - Canadian border to help detect illegal entry.
originally posted by: jadedANDcynical
a reply to: Wolfenz
Very odd.
These things look stereoscopic.
I wonder what would happen if someone decided to paintball the cover of these and wait to see who showed up to deal with the problem. Might be interesting results, might produce more questions than answers.
Surely if they weren't able to be used for whatever purpose they have, then whomever put them up would see to it that any issues were dealt with. Could be a third party company contracted out for maintenance might produce a trail to follow.
Just a few random thoughts..
originally posted by: NoCorruptionAllowed
originally posted by: Wolfenz Well its been 4 years and still No Answer's of who placed these so called Licence Plate Reader's up on the Pole's around St Lawrence County .. and still no identification marks.. of Ownership nor Company that made them... some as far as Norwood Norfolk , Madrid , Heuvelton, Hermon-DeKalb No where near , The Canadian/American Boarder and the Majority are in Dairy n Beef Farm Towns well here are some Video's .. And for Boarder Drug Smuggling ? is the Reason why they were placed there in the first place !! Nothing has Changed nor In proved. in anything of that ... There still Drug Trafficking ( at a Minimum ) between The Two Countries. Nothing in the Local Newspapers showing a Significant Increase of Stopping Drug Smuggling nor Preventing it .. So what is the Real Reason why.. ? Some of these Cameras ( as Ive seen them myself ) are in the middle of No where, in simple Farming Town's as One Surveillance Camera on a Road around Madrid NY , Has only 3 to 4 Vehicles going on the Road where this Camera is ,throughout the whole day , that has Practically No traffic at all and the fact is those Vehicles s are just mostly are from the People that Live on that Road!! ( UPDATE : kinda Sorta ) just a little More Up Date from Aug 2014 ( just a fraction ) LOL in a Local newspaper called Indian Times ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY GETS MORE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS At least three new sets of surveillance cameras have been installed in St. Lawrence County over the summer according to channel 7 News. The cameras, or "plate readers," are part of a larger surveillance system funded by federal Homeland Security and state grants. They are designed different than others that have been installed in places like Heuvelton, or in the Hermon-DeKalb area and the locations were not publicized. The weather-resistant cameras were reportedly used during the abduction of the two Amish sisters in the town of Oswegatchie. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is also using a remote infrared video surveillance system with cameras strategically placed along the U.S. - Canadian border to help detect illegal entry.