Boing Boing linked a new ad campaign from London’s Metropolitan Police Service. It makes me profoundly sad. Here is one of the images:

I do understand that the police want the citizenry to be more aware of what’s going on around them. What bothers me is this ad feels a lot like the clumsy propaganda posters from World War II.

What bothers me even more is how this strategy is likely to make people more fearful and have little benefit. Is it the terrorist who have won? I don’t believe so. Those who seek power are using fear against us. Controlling a fearful population is easier than controlling the kind of population we should strive to become. Certainly watchful and aware, but not afraid.

I wonder if enough people will realize the Metropolitan Police’s ad is itself odd and deserves the full weight of our suspicion. Coupled with everything else eroding our personal freedoms, I hear Big Brother’s footsteps approaching.