Will this really aid in halting crime?
Closed Circuit TV Monitoring of the Ped Mall
(9 posts) (6 voices)
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Posted 2 years ago #
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Like love and war, crime will not be halted any time soon. But the light of day shining into the lives that we lead among others can help us better see what we are doing to each other.
I support the ACLU in most things, but not on the contention that video recordings of public venues are a violation of someone’s right to privacy. An invasion of privacy should constitute invading someone’s private space.
If this is to be extended into public, out of respect for another’s privacy we should all walk around blindfolded and being an eyewitness should be an admission of guilt.
Posted 2 years ago # -
CCTV is a definite aid to prosecution of offenders.
Hard to believe that drunken violence late at night won't happen because of a camera.Posted 2 years ago # -
If they do it, they should make the video streams open to the pubic via the Internet. That would make for some interesting viewing for those of us that are THAT bored on a Saturday night while the kids are sound asleep in their beds.
Posted 2 years ago # -
To either pursue or insist on perfection from individuals or the greater society is a greatly imperfect endeavor and a waste of time.
And an attempt to make things better beats the **** out of a drunk beating the **** out of someone---the resultant beating constitutes very real unintended and intended consequences that go beyond what might happen if violence or videoing did to ensue.
Throwing one’s hands into the air in despair is nothing more than reaching for thin air, and keeping them down at one’s side in resignation stands one in the path of obliteration.
“Not to decide is to decide.” ~ Sartre
Posted 2 years ago # -
i'd prefer that the downtown merchants work directly with the city on this. in particular, i think it'd be wise--and a bit comforting--if the city council would pass a resolution expressing its desire for a video monitoring program. they could debate, in an open session, any public policy or legal concerns. importantly, they could then adopt a public position on these concerns. if council then goes on to express its desire for monitoring, the merchants could simply give the city the money they otherwise would have spent on their own. assuming that council truly wants the cameras in place, the process for making this a public initiative and not a private one shouldn't take too much extra time--though some time might be lost to public sector purchasing policies. the opportunity to provide public approval for the effort would be worth any small delay. on the other hand, if council proved reluctant to embrace the effort or if it declined to do so, all of us (and the merchants) should know this before the private sector moves unilaterally.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Bruce Wheaton’s point is well taken and city-government action would seem appropriate. Not that a private effort would be egregious. But, there is no need to promote or put trust in vigilantism.
The city has deemed it appropriate to video some street intersections, and high incident areas like the pad mall are also worthy of monitoring.
It might also we worthwhile for the police to be as vigorous at patrolling public areas for violent behavior as they seem to be bent on entering private establishments to detect peaceful underage drinkers.
Posted 2 years ago # -
If they made the stream of all cameras available for the public, I could support this.
Posted 2 years ago # -
This project is really intended as a deterrent first and only secondarily as an aid in prosecuting offenders. There's much research that indicates camera surveillance in convenience stores, parking lots, at ATMs, etc. works as a deterrent, especially when accompanied by signage and other communication that let's potential offender know they are being watched.
Using the cameras for identifying or prosecuting offenders is great, but as Sam Hargadine would tell you, often crimes aren't reported until the medical bills come in. That could be some time after the incident. The original plan was to have the camera feed accessible only to law enforcement and tapes preserved for only 7 days. There have been discussions that suggest the tapes could and should be maintained for 30 days to address the issues Sam points out. The cameras could not be monitored in real time. Like I said - the point is to deter. Besides, law enforcement is more effective when it is on the street not watching from afar.
Although I agree that it would have been nice to have this project come out of a City of IC initiative, I'm glad that someone is taking a proactive step and that private entities are willing to invest in such a project.
To Chris' point: I don't believe that cameras will stop all drunken violence, but my belief is that they may at least reduce it.
As far as putting the tapes on public display. Gimme a break. Drive around long enough and sooner or later you'll find a car wreck. Or watch COPs.
Dan Brown
Dan Brown's opinions are his own and do not reflect those of the Press-Citizen, its editorial board or employees.
Posted 2 years ago #
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