Vigilance caught the Boston Marathon bombers, Within the span of so many hours, two suspected terrorists were identified and apprehended. We need to thank a little box of wires and a vigilant citizen.
Many citizens complain public surveillance cameras infringe upon their privacy rights. It would not have been possible to identify the Boston Marathon bombing suspects so quickly without them. Cameras and video actually filmed the two men walking into the area and setting down the explosives, then walking off. Then the images were cast into the waters of the www, looking for bites. A little metal box of wires caught them in the act. Another box of wires, CPU’s, and circuit boards kept us alert and informed.
Unfortunately, either no one observed their setting the bags down; observers were so intent on watching the marathon. Or someone did see this and it was, “Ah, it’s probably nothing.” "Not my business." But we are now in a society that must pay attention to random boxes and bags set down and abandoned. While working in a prison, I learned quickly that any box, briefcase, backpack, or such item abandoned was potential trouble. This was in the 1990’s. Over ten years later and the same rule now apply to our city streets, shopping malls, and mass transit areas.
A vigilant Watertown citizen located the second suspect hiding in his yard. Moments after police cleared the area, the citizen went into his own backyard, noted blood on a tarp covering his boat, and called 9-1-1. According to some sources, the man’s shed and boat had been searched earlier during the massive manhunt. But the man noted an open door and the blood when the neighborhood was cleared. Police moved in. Gone was the “it’s probably nothing / not my business” attitude. The suspect could have easily disappeared.
"We got him," Boston Mayor Tom Menino tweeted moments after the apprehension at the boat. “We” should include the surveillance system and an observant civilian, assisting a lot of law enforcement officials.
Just more proof that we are all responsible for safety and security.
Many citizens complain public surveillance cameras infringe upon their privacy rights. It would not have been possible to identify the Boston Marathon bombing suspects so quickly without them. Cameras and video actually filmed the two men walking into the area and setting down the explosives, then walking off. Then the images were cast into the waters of the www, looking for bites. A little metal box of wires caught them in the act. Another box of wires, CPU’s, and circuit boards kept us alert and informed.
Unfortunately, either no one observed their setting the bags down; observers were so intent on watching the marathon. Or someone did see this and it was, “Ah, it’s probably nothing.” "Not my business." But we are now in a society that must pay attention to random boxes and bags set down and abandoned. While working in a prison, I learned quickly that any box, briefcase, backpack, or such item abandoned was potential trouble. This was in the 1990’s. Over ten years later and the same rule now apply to our city streets, shopping malls, and mass transit areas.
A vigilant Watertown citizen located the second suspect hiding in his yard. Moments after police cleared the area, the citizen went into his own backyard, noted blood on a tarp covering his boat, and called 9-1-1. According to some sources, the man’s shed and boat had been searched earlier during the massive manhunt. But the man noted an open door and the blood when the neighborhood was cleared. Police moved in. Gone was the “it’s probably nothing / not my business” attitude. The suspect could have easily disappeared.
"We got him," Boston Mayor Tom Menino tweeted moments after the apprehension at the boat. “We” should include the surveillance system and an observant civilian, assisting a lot of law enforcement officials.
Just more proof that we are all responsible for safety and security.
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