As many as 50 Phoenix police officers may soon be wearing tiny convert video surveillance cameras as part of their uniform accouterment if a $500,000 grant is approved in early September through a joint partnership with Arizona State University and the U.S. Department of Justice. The grant is being called The Smart Policing Initiative.   Earlier this spring, a pilot program was tested with 18 officers wearing the small hidden spy cameras attached to their uniform in an effort to increase police transparency with the public. The three month trial, which concluded in June, resulted in 860 hours worth of video. From among the recordings, portions of the footage will be used as evidence in 62 cases going before the court. The spy camera is worn like a Bluetooth device around the ear, and can be turned on and off from a remote control on the chest. A pocket recorder, or small video monitor, is attached to the belt. Once activated, video can't be edited or deleted. Arizona law requires at least one person be aware they are being recorded, although the law is not well defined in how that is communicated or acknowledged, and can likely not even register depending on the situation or number of persons being confronted by officers. During the trial period some citizens did key in on the cameras being worn and asked if they were being recorded.   During the pilot program, Phoenix police tested Scottsdale-based TASER International's Axon cameras, which are more obvious in their appearance than traditional covert cameras of the same type, and come with a more heftier price tag. The cost of Axon cameras are about $1,700, plus an annual $1,200 each to archive the video footage. Likewise, a comparable wireless Bluetooth covert camera from any local security store runs about $200. The grant doesn't specify which brand of cameras are to be used, but does require the police agency to enlist a research partner. In the case of Phoenix it will be A.S.U., who will collect and analyze the data and calculate the effectiveness of their efforts. The “Candid-Camera” officer video pilot program was one of 34 recommendations developed by a Phoenix task force last January to help improve relations between the police department and the community. The task force came into being in April, 2010, after several incidents involving the police angered citizens, including a March 2010 incident which saw City Councilman Michael Johnson, an Afro-American, wrestled to the ground and handcuffed by a White police officer. With the eye of “Big Brother” becoming more prevalent in our daily lives now, and technology providing a video recorder to anyone with a cell phone, providing police officers with a wearable video recording device is the logical next step in the progression. How this plays out over time and the legal impact it could carry will be questions that will no doubt be discussed, but for now it may give us pause to be mindful of what we say and how we respond the next time we are confronted by an officer of the law.  

  Every semester of every year you can read hundreds of reports where a woman was physically assaulted on campus.  While colleges and universities have tried to step up security patrols, especially at night, reports of attacks and attempted rape continue to persist.  While there are precautions a woman can take to lessen the chances of becoming a victim, one of the best weapons she can have at her disposal when confronted in a threatening situation is a shot of pepper spray. A less than $20, the MACE Keyguard Pepper Spray is compact, convenient, and has a key ring that easily attaches to your house, dorm room, car, and other keys you carry.  Be alert, be cautious, and be prepared. http://www.thecoverteye.com/preview/m7/80365--mace-key-guard-pepper-spray.html     http://www.athensohiotoday.com/news/woman-uses-pepper-spray-to-allegedly-fight-off-attacker/article_00fc4e80-8d84-55d7-a989-90264ed2f3be.html    

    Covert Surveillance Glasses   Surveillance with style, this modern looking pair video glasses is equipped with HD color camera, a rechargeable battery, and a built-in recording system. While other styles of video glasses claim to be covert, this pair fits the description of a standard looking pair of reading glasses with covert capabilities. Outdoor body worn surveillance has never been easier. These hidden camera glasses are an excellent investigative tool and provide extreme secrecy with one touch video recording.     Features: Visually capable of 720p video recording and resolution Contemporary style frames disguise the camera and the operative Internal memory stores every captured high resolution video USB data transfer off loads important files instantaneously One button activated recording Hours of battery powered performance No other frames blend style and performance better         Specifications: Resolution: 1280 x 720 Recording Types: Continuous/Photographs Internal Memory (size): 8GB Time/Date (Y/N): Y Battery Life: 1.5 Hours Battery Type: 3.7V Li-ion File Format AVI FOV: 62 degree Camera Sensor: 2 MP CMOS Lux 1.4 USB 2.0 System Requirements: None Includes: Glasses Cleaning cloth Case   Standard shipping is FREE for all retail orders totaling $100.00 or more! (48 Continental US orders only) Flat rate of $8.50 shipping applies to orders under $100.00