Bennett Springs Live Cam

[stlfisher]

I installed the Bennett Cam from start to finish, except for the final decisions on where it would be streamed to and how it was rebroadcasted, that was up to the web guys. The camera is not set up for anything but web streaming. The bandwidth coming from the park doesn't allow for remote enforcement and there is no infrastructure in the hatchery, where it would have to be to provide more capabilities. We did install infrared pointed at a specific point in the water. The original plan was to have the cam change positions throughout the day and then zoom to a specific shot in the water after dark to observe flooding conditions, but that plan was axed to remove any concerns from the public, so the infra-red, which was donated to us by Axis, was removed. I am not sure how long the streaming will continue, but at some point it may revert to still photos a couple times a minute or so. As far as the DNR side, no other cameras in any park. I do not know what MDC has at other locations.. The camera is locked down and there are only a couple of people with access.

Not sure why they don't have it running on the weekends, I would think they would want it on then. They are still are getting the stream on weekends, just choosing not to broadcast it.

I am going to suggest the advertising thing and see if it goes anywhere. As long as the money is directed back at the park, it might be a good thing. Would you that camp at Bennett enjoy wi-fi access ? We have it at the lodge now, but want to expand it.

I would definatley be in favor of the wi-fi at the campgrounds. I am on call for work 6 months out the year so if I can bring my laptop and access from the lodge or campgrounds that is many more weekends I can fish.

[trout fanatic]

With each addition to this thread I just get sadder and sadder. Sure am gonna miss that place. But hey, the bass are beckoning (and they hit flies).

[fishinwrench]

With each addition to this thread I just get sadder and sadder. Sure am gonna miss that place. But hey, the bass are beckoning (and they hit flies).

You ain't a woofin' they do....

[ITGUY]

You ain't a woofin' they do....

If there is something at the other parks, it's not DNR's

[fishinwrench]

I doubt that anyone is concerned about which alphabet group the surveillance systems belong to. The concern is whether or not they exist, or will soon exist. And it seems that they do, or will.

MDC, DNR, LCSD, DCSD, MADTF, MADD, PETA (LOL), or whatever. It all boils down to the same intention, and outcome.

You mentioned deciding not to do the infrared thing (whatever it was) because of public concerns, so apparently someone other than the few here on this forum are hollering about it. No ?

[fishinwrench]

Just for kicks I roughly estimated how much I spend annually between Charlie Readings shop and the wooden bridge, (what I consider the boundaries of the "Bennett community") and I'm almost too ashamed to post it. It's amazing how it adds up, just for one small family.

[Matt1981]

I agree with what others have said, if you don't think you have been watched at the parks, you are very mistaken. The only reason you don't know is because most of us don't do anything to get confronted by MDC/DNR. Agents are fishing next to you, checking your tag, counting fish on your stringer throughout the day and watching your vehicle. They do all of this to make sure that EVERYONE who goes to missouri parks has a great experience.

Also, I believe that BSSP is a public park. It is a public place, if that camera was pointing down the river onto private property, I would see a problem with that, but it isn't it is in the middle of the park. A park that you must get permission to fish on. You are not guarenteed a right to fish in missouri. There are many ways you can have that privilage taken away, remember that when you are enjoying your day on the stream. I don't like large crowds anymore than anybody else, but if this webcam sparks more interest into the park I am all for it. More people means more tags sold, more money, more interest. All of this is a great for those of us that enjoy trout fishing, be it at the parks or on other waterways in the state. More fish, bigger fish, better facilites, extended catch and release times will not come with a lower turn out to the trout parks. We are going to see dramatic changes in state government in the next few years. There will be no program or department that will not be completly evaluated as to effeciency and utility, and those programs that are the strongest will remain while others will be gone.

I spoke with a park official about the possibility of a cleaning station and they told me there were concerns with the parks lagoon if that was in place. Now I don't think that is a very good reason, but that was what I was given so I will take them at their word, at least they are aware and responding.

I know there are some that will not fish in the parks with this, and that is your choice, I fully respect that. I for one will encourage my friends to look for me when I go, show them the pics of the fish I catch and the beauty of the park, and encourage them to join me the next time. I love to fish and I really enjoy BSSP, if this camera sparks more interest and will help the growth of that, I am all for it, for me fishing is as much about community as it is standing by myself in the middle of nowhere catching a monster fish, getting my heart racing and releasing it for someone else to enjoy. I know many of you will agree, otherwise you wouldn't join a messageboard and share in on the great times. I think this webcam is just another great part of that community. So look for me on the cam, I'll most likely be the one with their fly line tangled in their stringer....

[XP 590]

Amen Matt1981! BSSP is a PUBLIC space, and I have no expectation of privacy in a public space. It is also a public space with rules and regulations which I agree to when I choose to go there, and I'm all for enforcement of those rules in order to keep the sport fun and fair for all of us. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I'm not going to try to argue anyone else's point or feelings, but I'm amazed at the anger and ire that this webcam created on this forum. I, for one, get a kick out of looking at it for entertainment, when I should be working. And from what I can see of the resolution, it doesn't look to be much of a tool to be used for enforcement of anything. I can't wait to get down there on the dam and call my friends at work so I can wave at them.

[troutfiend1985]

I doubt that anyone is concerned about which alphabet group the surveillance systems belong to. The concern is whether or not they exist, or will soon exist. And it seems that they do, or will.

MDC, DNR, LCSD, DCSD, MADTF, MADD, PETA (LOL), or whatever. It all boils down to the same intention, and outcome.

You mentioned deciding not to do the infrared thing (whatever it was) because of public concerns, so apparently someone other than the few here on this forum are hollering about it. No ?

I can see how a camera would bother someone. I, for one, am not bothered by a camera in a trout park or at Taney. I know when I go down there that I am expecting to have others around me and that I am going to have to deal with this, it is a crowded world after all. I follow the rules, hardly ever keep trout as I am a C&R guy(and proud of it ) and like to see myself as a law abiding citizen. I don't see any expectation to privacy in Bennett, neither subjectively or objectively.

But I have mixed feelings about cameras on Crane. On one hand, I like that the MDC is watching for poachers and taking active steps to reduce poaching in wild trout streams. The last thing I would want is for someone to selfishly harm a stream like Crane. But I go to Crane for a different reason than to catch fish. I go to Crane to get away from KC and to be by myself. If I run into someone that's fine as there is always enough room to share. I can see, and maybe I am blind with my own ignorance, why someone would expect privacy in an area like Crane. Freedom is a hard thing to come by in 2010 and any opportunity to enjoy your privacy should be cherished. I know it's public land, however I think one would be foolish to deny that there is a reasonable expectation of privacy in certain public settings. One could, and I think justifiably so, expect privacy in the back country streams of Montana, Alaska and other rural settings throughout the United States that are not commercial in nature.

It comes down to a couple things for me. One is that I have a hard time seeing justification for a camera that only serves a commercial function, even if it only costs 2k. We already talk about misappropriation of funds in connection with MDC and with the parks. The other is that I see a slippery slope that has been building for years. There really is no privacy in our world, cameras are everywhere. I laugh about this because I used to go to Crane with the thought in my mind that there where no cameras or signs of big city life there, just me, a stick and trout with lockjaw. I won't stop going to Crane because of cameras, they bother me but not enough to make me want to quit going there. Just my views.

[fishinwrench]

If hatchery trout are so precious that they have to be guarded with 24/7 surveillance, like the Hope diamond, then maybe we should ease up on them....Even though we are the ones paying for them.

Nope, any surveillance done within BSSP is not going to be about "protecting the trout" it is about generating revenue by way of any and all infractions. Someone will see to it that the surveillance system and those who operate it are worth every penny. And I'm betting that it won't generate much revenue through violations of fishing rules.

Opinions will change once a few fines and court costs are paid for things like riding on the tailgate of a truck (or worse yet: allowing your kids to do the same), having a beer with your lunch, or unintentionally flashing your butt-crack while putting on your waders within sight of the playground! FYI, you'll need a good lawyer to defend that one.

My money says that 98.9% of those that say they "don't mind being watched closely", aren't as squeeky clean and proper as they think (or say) they are.

And that's about the end of what I plan to say...about that.