newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Along with every other industry these days, law enforcement has been making strides in the world of technological advancements.

Locally, the city of East Orange is taking a big step in surveillance and preventing crimes before they occur by shining a remote-controlled red light on expected criminals.

Acting East Orange Police Chief William Robinson said to infowars.com, “We’re about to deploy light-based intervention systems. The message to criminals is, we’re observing you, the police are recording you, and the police are responding.”

Above the Law reports that police will monitor surveillance feeds from around the town out of a main office. The lights will be mounted on street lights or other fixtures, and each one reportedly costs $7,200.

The use of pre-crime deterrents is already taking place in the United Kingdom. The BBC reported in 2007 that the use of “talking" CCTV cameras that tell off people engaging in unlawful behavior have been extended across England. Home Secretary John Reid said he expected a minority of people to be more concerned about what they call intrusion on civil liberties.

Robinson said East Orange plans to add more crime-fighting technology in the next three months, according to The Star-Ledger. City administrator Jillian Barrick said the equipment would be paid for with forfeiture funds.

An Associated Press video of the red light technique can be found here.