In 1949 writer George Orwell coined the term "Big Brother" in his classic novel "1984". Big Brother refers to a relentless, around the clock surveillance system that could monitor each citizens every move. The book examines the consequences of living in a Police State and highlights the height of privacy infringement.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and police Commissioner Raymond Kelly have given a thumbs up to a George Orwell- Big Brother type of surveillance system that would be able to monitor all of New York City and infringe on the peoples right to privacy. The computer driven "Domain Awareness System" is a 30 to 40 million dollar business endeavour in accord with Microsoft Corp. The system will include license plate readers, 3,000 cameras and 2,600 radiation detectors placed through out the city. The system will be able to complie all of the information into one source. The Bloomberg Administration and The NYPD consider this overpriced monitoring system a sophisticated tool to combat crime in the city.
In a press conference Bloomberg explained "we're not your mom and pop police department anymore". He continued "we're in the next century and we are leading the pack". Blommberg, who shouldn't even still be in office- since he stole a third term is probably "hooking up" more of his rich friends. There is also a provision that says if the same system is sold in other cities across the nation New York City will receive a 30% profit.
This new system constituents a civil liberties violation. No one wants crime in the city. However no one wants to be under surveillance 24 hours a day.