Cameras in public swimming pools

[gnome]

I voted for "own kids only"... not even out of a pedo scare, but just because I consider it rude for people to make someone the primary subject of a picture without their permission, under most circumstances.

Obviously isolated incidents need not be obsessed over, but if someone was being obnoxious with a camera, I think it's perfectly appropriate to make an issue of it with the staff. The same would apply to anyone making an ass of themselves at others' expense...

 

[billydkid]

I heard this on a phone-in show on the radio today...

Here in Ottawa, the city has banned all cameras from public swimming pools. Many people feel that its a very heavy-handed tactic, since it will prevent parents (or other relatives) from taking pictures of their own kids. The argument for the ban is that it will prevent pedofiles from taking "soft-pr0n" pics of other people's kids.

Of course, most people would be happy with a rule that allows a person to take pics of their own kids only; the problem I can see with that is that it forces the life-guards and other pool staff to become "policemen".

So, what is your optinion? Is the city going too far? And is your opinion affected by you having kids yourself?

It seems to me it's just one hysteria after another. Everything is continually blown out of proportion to the actual risk. My guess is that less 0.01% of adults have a perverted interest in children. Still, because it is so generally distasteful the response is way out of whack. This sort of thing is fed by media. If it isn't that it's some other thing to get all worked up about.

 

[richardm]

Some primary schools (ages 4->12) in Scotland banned photography and filming at nativity plays. Presumably to avoid pandering to the paedophile elements who get turned on by kids in tea-towels. I believe that didn't last very long.

I wonder if there's ever been a case of a paedophile caught with pictures of kids at a school play? At least with swimming costumes I can sort of see the argument... (Lots of adults might prefer not to be photographed in their swimsuits, too).

 

[c0rbin]

I don't know if you were being serious or not... But I can see a problem with doing that.

Lets say someone was taking pictures for innocent reasons (someone mentioned historical interest before...) Then taking a pic of them and posting it on such a website will unfortunately taint them as being a pedophile when they are not.

Basically it removes the "innocent until proven guilty" concept.

I was kidding, but one thing I have noticed about being a young parent at a potential death trap considered a source of amusement for my young children (read: swimming pool) is that I never take my eyes off them.

I would notice if someone were in close proximity and taking pics of them, but I would certainly miss the dude with the telephoto lense.

 

[crimresearch]

I don't know if you were being serious or not... But I can see a problem with doing that.

Lets say someone was taking pictures for innocent reasons (someone mentioned historical interest before...) Then taking a pic of them and posting it on such a website will unfortunately taint them as being a pedophile when they are not.

Basically it removes the "innocent until proven guilty" concept.

Which, IIRC, has happened in the case of the video vigilantes who post the names of people caught frequenting prostitutes or buying drugs...somebody could be wrongly lumped in, leading no doubt to the 'ends justifies the means' excuse....