Sign of the times

[garytx]

McAllen PD uses these transportable observation platforms as a deterrent in high crime areas. They're equipped with cameras and may or may not be manned - the dark tinted windows make it harder for the bad guys to know if there's anyone inside. On the close-up, you can see the A/C unit on the roof for when it is occupied, and the anemometer and other weather instrumentation. Today, one was in the parking lot of the McAllen Regional Medical Center, later moved to another medical facility nearby, and the other was in the north parking lot of the La Plaza Mall. Presumably, they're working to make the car burglars and car thieves (who have a short run to the border with their stolen vehicles) ply their trade at different parking lots for the day.

[gtakacs]

I've seen these pop up around the holidays in mall parking lots here too.

[hotshot38]

Showing the Flag. I suspect, if they DO man it with anyone, they'd probably put a cadet/rookie/COP for OJT...but that's just an opinion. I wonder if the camera transmits back to a monitoring station Also, I suspect they don't run the A/C when not manned...a giveaway, but I think if a criminal saw one of these in the lot they'd move to greener pastures regardless.

[Ahh!]

We have seen them in Frisco and other areas. Since I don't worry about big bro' watching me, I welcome them so I can park my car and not get pilfered!

[wildone]

I wondered about the anemometer on top. I guess they have to monitor the wind - to much wind and this thing would topple over.

[ggeen]

The units are air conditioned, radioed, and may or may not be manned. If not manned, they do have cameras rolling. Dallas, Plano, and Frisco I know adopted these at first for holidays but now use them year round.

[L Stegall]

And I try to park as CLOSE to it as I can get at holiday time at the Mall. They are a common sight in Dallas. You never know if they are manned or not, but I figure that right next to it is probably a relatively safe parking spot.

[sporkthedork]

Pretty neat, Gary. I haven't seen these, yet.

Thanks for sharing.

[EyeBurn]

http://www.icxnewheights.com/products
wow, that's cool ****~

-Benjamin

[w9ctm]

I saw these being used on Bourbon Street when I was in New Orleans last October. Most of the locals ignored them.
They only had one at almost the end of Bourbon Street, near Canal Street. Since I didn't go all the way to the other end of Bourbon Street, (If you've been there, you know what I mean...) I don't kow if they had one there. I did go about 10 or 12 blocks down and saw no others.

On a side note, it sure did stink on Bourbon Street. Too many open garbage containers in the alleys.....

Chuck

[photostein]

Originally Posted by Ahh!

We have seen them in Frisco and other areas. Since I don't worry about big bro' watching me, I welcome them so I can park my car and not get pilfered!

I am all for the police using all the facilities they can muster to deter and catch crime; however, THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO GET THE #$%^ OUT OF MY WALLET!

They can use their cameras and such to stare me down all day long as long they don't falsely accuse me of something. It's their job.

The police are needed and frankly should be some of the highest paid government employees that exist; however, the requirements to become one should be just as high in terms of character, education, etc.... Thug police are worse than criminals because they most often are not prosecuted.