Shelter Scans Fingerprints of Homeless
The homeless shelter is testing a new $150,000 security system that scans clients' fingerprints, and Baldwin said he expects it will be fully up and running in a few weeks.
"But they should not be treating everyone who goes to the centre as if they're potentially a criminal. After all, these are Albertans, these are Canadians who have really done nothing wrong except be poor."
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/090507/canada/canada_calgary_calgary_homeless_fingerprints_shelter
From the shelter's website:
"It is anticipated that the shelter will accomodate up to 100 family members on a nightly basis."
(www.innfromthecold.org/upload/news_release/10/01/family-shelter-deal-extension-May-6-final.pdf)
Does this seem to warrant spending $150,000 dollars for digitally scanning 100 people?
A little background about this shelter:
It is not government sponsored in any way. It is a network of over 104 churches of various denominations, synagogues, and organizations which have bonded together in an inner-faith (one world religion) endeavor. They officially call themselves a "Society" (much like WT is officially a "Society".)
From Inn From the Cold Society website, this is the screening protocol for overnight shelter:
"Priority is given to families and women. Families are our priority guests, followed by single women and then men. Guests are screened for drug or alcohol use. Those who are known to be unduly disruptive or suffering from severe mental illness are referred to other agencies. "
From their website, it would seem that a $150,000 dollar machine for 'security' is overkill:
"The safety of our guests is our highest priority and the Inn has several measures in place including strict screening criteria for drug and alcohol use, 24-hour on-site building staff, security cameras, restricted access to the family living area and a designated curfew for all guests."
The news article goes on to say this:
"A Calgary shelter is scanning the fingerprints of its homeless clients, citing problems with gang members and drug dealers sneaking into the facility."
If the above criteria is true, then, are mothers and families now running gangs? How about the real crime bosses...who is finger scanning the white collar gangsters??
And also, does this article jive with what the website claims?
From the shelter website:
"Families often come to the Inn with nothing more than the clothes on their back. Many have lost, or had to sell, their possessions. While families do not have a place to keep anything other than what they can carry with them on a daily basis,"
Seems to me if they are all drug dealers, then a sniffer dog run during the hour of registration should be provided free by the local police dept.
All of you who have donated to these churches to help those in need or less fortunate, be assured, that your generous contributions are not wasted on luxuries and gourmet food for these people. As a matter of fact, since there seems to be soooo much expense for administrative costs and high tech security measures, the shelter needs MORE DONATIONS to provide what these people really need.
From shelter website:
"If you would like to donate, items like transit passes, new toiletries, baby supplies and phone or grocery cards are always welcome. Please click below for our current wish list. Due to lack of storage space we currently cannot accept furniture, used household items, used toys or used clothing."
About that Marking system...
It is NOT coming from the government! The technologies being used will eventually be implemented by all churches.
Recently Restrangled started a thread about being concerned about the KH just "accepting anybody" into the cong and even more concerned that people were expected to just invite these 'strangers' into their homes for bible study.
Well, there you have it! Churches will need to have a marking system for 'their own' and everyone outside of their org. will be 'inn the cold'!
I bet it won't be long until there are specific religious enforced requirements of you in addition to all the scans.