Dear Editor:
Re: Rescuers Lobby for Backcountry Cameras, Jan. 15.
Every person with dementia should wear a GPS transponder bracelet at all times just in case they wander off into the woods. Ditto young children. Teenagers can be preoccupied and they can be dismissive of evident risks so they too would benefit from GPS bracelets. Actually, it would be simpler if everybody wore one at all times and they could also be made to pay for the bracelets and the monitoring service that would go with it. On the other hand, why not set up surveillance cameras throughout the backcountry and have taxpayers fund the program?
It must be frustrating for North Shore Rescue members to be unable to rescue everyone who goes missing in the local mountains, but surveillance cameras are not the answer. Cameras on the trails would be unsupportably intrusive, would make even more people feel that they need not respect the dangers of the woods and prepare accordingly, and they certainly would not save the lives of hikers who went missing weeks or often even a day earlier.It is distressing to read of a cohort of administrative agencies - all unelected - discussing how to circumvent privacy concerns, especially before they consider this idea in a thoughtful manner. I used to think that NSR members did the valuable work that they do because they love the outdoors.
Cynthia Cushing
North Vancouver
