Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

Taken from "The Engineer" magazine.

Isn't this going a bit too far?
I can see this as a point at which some may try getting free internet access.

Does anyone know anything about this?

Which ISP will they use I wonder?

Also reported here.

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

It can't work. If someone makes a noise walking past, then they'll be gone before anyone comes to do anything. Even if someone was around when they turn up, how could you prove who made the noise, if it is now quiet?

Plus, I guarantee you, as soon as they are installed, people will be drawn to them like magnets and shout in them deliberately as much as possible.

And who would be monitoring this system anyway? I wouldn't really want some tin pot glorified security guard monitoring my conversations. MI5 is a different matter, but not just any old person.

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

What's the point, really? Under the current system, if your neighbour makes noise, you can report him or her. It just seems to me to be a case of throwing technology at a problem that doesn't need it.

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

Probably a case of too many people claiming to not be creating noise, you have to provide proof to be able to prosecute successfully.

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

Either that or they want to monitor everyones conversations in westminster......

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

Perhaps they intend to sell the resultant recordings?

No. 1 this week: Poodle Piddling in Pimlico (live version)
Coming soon: Canine cavortings in Kensington

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

:LOL: Like it.....

I think, speaking seriously here for a moment, that there is a larger civil liberties issue here (and you don't know how bad I feel about using that statement).

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

unless they're going to point a mic at everyones house individually, i can't see what this will acheve...

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

Maybe they would simply take the input from several microphones to calulate the origin of the persistent noise?
On a similar note, I think there was/is a system in some city in America which uses an arrangement of microphones over the city and sonic analysing equipment/software to pinpoint the location of a gunshot to within a few metres so police can be despatched extremely quickly to the scene.

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

Great,

Kareoke for dogs.

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

not that I make much noise ;) ...but what are the times thresholds that limit noise in towns?

I've played noisy games until 2am most weekends...and upto midnight most nights.... I assume this could cause issues!???

Also, one of my neighbours is rather loud when communicating with her children when they, seemingly, have been naughty...this is most mornings before 8am and always weekends b4 9am

What's the noise law!?

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

look up BS4142

from my lecture notes, if the equivalent noise you make over an 8 hour day (LAeq) is 10dB more than the cumulative background noise that happens 90% of the time (L90), then someone has a legitimate complaint.

there's a few more bits to it, but thats pretty much it!
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um, actually thats industrial noise. i imagine its not too dissimilar for residential...

Re: Westminster - hidden microphones in lamp posts?
 

Hmm, I wonder if they will be tapping into all the hidden bedroom cameras too? :D