If you want to know where we’re heading in this country, learn from today’s Britain. A local ‘council’ (Brit-speak for local government) has a spy plane ready to fly over homes to track energy use by means of thermal imaging cameras. Although this story has been around for a while, it’s gotten a blip in today’s Daily Mail.
Our movements are already tracked by CCTV, speed cameras and even spies in dustbins.
Now snooping on the public has reached new heights with local authorities putting spy planes in the air to snoop on homeowners who are wasting too much energy.
Thermal imaging cameras are being used to create colour-coded maps which will enable council officers to identify offenders and pay them a visit to educate them about the harm to the environment and measures they can take.
A scheme is already under way in Broadland District Council in Norfolk, which has spent £30,000 hiring a plane with a thermal imaging camera.
It said the exercise has been so successful other local authorities are planning to follow suit.But critics have warned the crackdown was another example of local authorities extending their charter to poke their noses into every aspect of people’s lives.
The UK Telegraph reported on a similar scheme by a London borough back in 2007. If you’d like to see what a British thermal map looks like, go here.
I must say that the ‘educational visit’ is a nice touch. Perhaps the homeowners could provide some ‘education’ of their own. Canine, perhaps? I hear Pit Bulls and Dobies work real well.
Coming soon to a town near you.
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