Lambda and the Sudbury Star saw fit to print the first letter. The latter publication resulted in several positive phone calls from total strangers. We talked. One Lively Grandfather made a very good observation. If he sees a police cruiser on the freeway, he automatically takes his foot of the gas; regardless of the speed. In other words, a policeman walking a beat is far more effective than a camera perched on a bank tower.

It seems the powers that be have a different concept of common sense than the common people. Chief McCauley hails the video surveillance program as progressive. I generally hail the work of progress as machines replacing the jobs of humans. The people who play a part in this modern day workforce strike me as sorta mechanical. I doubt they were born that way. I imagine they enjoy a good laugh or a good song. Chances are they just had to march alongside a machine driven system for a long time in order to maintain a livelihood.

Oh, before I go any further…Yes I am, speaking out against machines and the police. No, I am not another mad Unabomber who finds justice through destruction. I also feel the recent station bombing was a bad thing and am just as puzzled over why anyone would do that.

A few years back I was in New York City. 25 million people who think trees all look the same. Two things that surprised me were the number of people strolling the streets alone and the security of cops walking the beat. And get this, most of them were smiling! How bizarre. Here I am in the midst of the most famous crime ridden vice drenched places and the beat cops are chatting away with local merchants and quirky neighbors. Surely they knew that a any moment they could be facing some crazed gun toting freak; so why the heck were they so friendly? Maybe they realized it helps to be that way.

Meanwhile, back in my good ol' hometown of Sudbury Ontario I don't get that feeling from a majority of the police force. I remember attending one Canada Day cultural celebration at the Arena. Here I am in the midst of the most honest family driven spice drenched gatherings and the coppers are frowning. Hey! Come on now, lighten up eh? Remember, we're all in this together and it takes fewer muscles to smile. Best of the season everyone, cherish whatever family you have. Don't let them winter spirits drag you down.

I find the police department's holiday message on MCTV a real drag. Most of us realize that drinking & driving is bad. It kills or maims children. Stop it. Does the police department not realize that kids of all ages are absorbing their primetime visions of scowling faces, stomping boots, and flashing sirens? This is supposed to be a season of love and sharing, ain't it? I find it hard to care for anyone who bully's a superior attitude. It makes my day seem less than it could be.

I know the police work is a dangerous occupation. I also know the mortality & injury rate among farmers, lumberjacks, and third world factory workers place folks in a more dangerous occupation. I understand that police officers have to deal with more jerks, stress, and dead bodies that the average citizen. I hope they realize the average citizen is just trying to live a good life. Honest people will treat you like you treat them.

My previous letter ended with a possible means of making the streets safer anywhere in this community, It still remains just a thought. Here are some more thoughts I would like answered by Chief McCauley; after Christmas, of course.

-Who sanctioned this violation of freedom in the land of the free? Two months ago it was a proposal and now it's reality. I don't recall any public forum on this community issue.

-What is and will be the cost of the video surveillance program? This would include the initial investment, insurance, location rental, maintenance, staffing, and expansion of the high tech gadgetry.

-Where is the evidence of this program making the streets safer in Glasglow and the UK? Crime prevention means preventing victims. The Toronto Star reported that Great Britain's video surveillance program sold highlights of citizens in embarrassing situations to television producers. Will you also be following this method of making the cameras more cost effective?

-When you take this first step, where does the next one lead you? To a crime free city or a camera filled city? The story of Big Brother teaches many lessons, what did you learn?

-Why is downtown Sudbury considered so dangerous? May I have access to crime stats of the Downtown Vs. The South End or The Donovan or The Flour Mill or New Sudbury or The Valley?

-How Often do you walk downtown?

cc. Sudbury Regional Police, Sudbury Metro Center, Sudbury City Council, Sudbury Star