VIDEO SURVEILLANCE
As a country that is being confronted with the growing problem of crime, some cities have come up with video surveillance systems. National Public Radio has been reporting on this issue and about different cities and their plans on how to use these video surveillance tools. In one such program-Day to Day- in July 2005, Monica Brady-Myerov reports on the city of Chelsea, Massachusetts, which thanks to the video cameras in place will be almost completely under surveillance.
Some residents and business owners are agreeing with the idea that the new system will help deter crime. Others, on the other hand, are more concerned with the invasion of privacy aspect of being under constant surveillance.
Aaron Freeman, a commentator for NPR, discusses the new computer software system associated with the video cameras installed throughout the city of Chicago. The new software supposedly alerts the cops to suspicious human behavior and activity.
Other aspects like the laws governing the practice of surveillance, and the newer versions of cameras and software programs are covered in an extensive program called Talk of the Nation on NPR, where different experts gave their opinion and advice on this topic.
As discussed on the Morning Edition program, besides the video cameras hidden throughout New York City issue, the facial recognition software is explored and the implications of having that system operating on September 11, 2001. The CEO of a company that makes the facial recognition software said that we probably could have avoided or seriously impacted the acts of the terrorists, as they passed through many security cameras before acting on their goal.
The issue of video surveillance is one that we will have to be faced with more often, as we are using this system for different purposes in the private as well as in the public sectors.
Response
I have to say that I am o.k. with being exposed to video surveillance as long as it will not impact my privacy in a harmful manner. What I mean by that is this: if the different sources that capture my movements and actions just use that information to prevent crime and other malicious activities, it’s not a problem for me. But if the different agencies like the traffic administration, police surveillance, banking institutions and other private businesses that use video surveillance, put all my patterns of activity together and then some authority uses that to monitor me, than I have a problem with this whole idea of surveillance.
The use of the facial recognition software could probably be useful assuming that the individual hasn’t changed his/her facial features. I don’t mind if airports use this security system in addition to other measures. However, if I was to be chosen as a possible terrorist suspect because my current facial features look like somebody’s that the computer rates as a terrorist, I would be very upset. I would probably have to work hard to prove otherwise.
As Daniel Solove, professor of privacy law told NPR in the Talk of the Nation interview, there are no specific laws as far as the video surveillance practices are concerned. I believe that we need to take measures to put in place laws that would ensure our homeland security as well as preventing crime if possible, but at the same time to be sensitive to our privacy rights guarantied by the Constitution.
The times we live in require more diverse and sophisticated technology to keep us safe, and if video surveillance is part of it, we have to accommodate to it. At the same time, with the increase use of it, we will have to create legislation that will serve as guidelines to make sure it is being used in an ethical and legal manner.
Works Cited
All Things Considered. Reasons to Welcome Camera Surveillance in Chicago.
National Public Radio. 15 Nov. 2004.
Day to Day. Keeping a Video Eye on a Massachusetts City. National Public
Radio. 13 Jul. 2006.
Morning Edition. The Video Surveillance Debate. National Public Radio.
25 Feb. 2002.
Talk of the Nation. Domestic Surveillance Technology. National Public Radio.
22 Sep. 2004
I live in MA and I had no idea that was happening. I do know that some parts of Chelsea are bad, so I can understand why they might want to go ahead with the surveillance system.
I actually heard on a radio show that their is a new type of xray system they might put into place that basically scans the bodies of crowds for metal/liquid, such as in airports.
I see how a lot of people think it would be such an invasion of privacy and our rights, but I also think it would be helpful in finding a possible situation quickly and efficiently before a more serious problem could arise. I'll have to find an actual article on it for you!
Times flies like the wind; fruit flies like a banana.
Cameras are popping up all over. Check out my blog about a new type of camera being considered: http://www.progressiveu.org/023435-thru-vision-cameras-looking-beyond-ou...
London is the city with the most surveillance cameras. New York may soon be similar. Tokyo is also considering adding many more cameras in the busy city areas.