Police wary of camera phone benefits

The rapid increase in the public's use of camera cellphones is being viewed as a double-edged sword by police, according to stuff.co.nz.

Rotorua Constable Darrell Earney was annoyed that members of the public stood by and took pictures with their phones as he struggled to arrest a young man for riding a bicycle without a helmet.

He said at least three or four people were taking photographs instead of helping when an officer was in trouble.

Christchurch police have also expressed surprise at the number of people using cellphones to take photos at a fatal crash in September.

Inspector Gary Knowles said he was concerned that those taking photos or film clips could be invading the privacy of crash victims.

However, police had also been quick to see the crime-fighting potential of the phones, Wellington police spokeswoman Kaye Calder said.

The moment one of the Bali terrorist bombs detonated last month was captured by an amateur photographer, whose footage could be useful to investigators. Police were also keen to get information, including photographs, from people who may have been in the same area before the blasts.

And the London police made similar pleas in July after the terrorist attacks on the the city's Underground system."

emily | 6:02 PM | Citizens as Camera Phone Reporters |
The Permanent Link to this page is: http://www.textually.org/picturephoning/archives/2005/11/010464.htm

Tweet