CTA President Forrest Claypool said “We feel like this is about as close a saturation as you can get.” In addition to rail stations, newer model CTA cars come equipped with onboard cameras, which officials say will eventually provide real time data to police. more ›

The city's getting even more surveillance cameras, thanks to a federal grant. more ›

Chicago is leading the charge into a brave new world of cities under constant surveillance. The Associated Press (via the Tribune) reports that Chicago has the most surveillance cameras in the United States, with more than 10,000 public and private cameras throughout the city. The cameras, on everything from street sweepers to red lights are linked together via Chicago’s 911 system. While exact numbers aren’t available the Trib estimates around 1,500 cameras have been installed by emergency services, 6,500 installed in schools and the rest are scattered throughout various public and private facilities. Michael Chertoff, former Homeland Security secretary of the system: “I don’t think there is another city in the U.S. that has as an extensive and integrated camera network.” more ›

A few dozen protesters gathered at Addison and Western on Valentine's Day to shake their collective fists at the city's red light cameras. The protest was part of a larger nationwide effort to fight the spread of red light cameras by the Liberty Restoration Project. The Expired Meter reports the Chicago effort was spearheaded by Republican Scott Tucker, who is running for State representative in the 11th district. In an interview before the demonstration, Tucker told The Expired Meter “I think it’s a quality of life issue… it’s a tax presented as public safety.” more ›

Anyone who has received a $100 ticket in the mail for blowing through a traffic light is familiar with red-light cameras. Beginning in 2003, these cameras have been installed at some of Chicago's busiest interactions in an attempt to curb traffic accidents. But are they meeting their goal? more ›

South Side Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) recently introduced an ordinance that would mandate countdown signals - like the ones for pedestrian walk signals - at intersections where red-light cameras have been (or will be) installed. more ›

Back in October, the city started soliciting bids to install surveillance cameras on street sweeping machines to help bust parking scofflaws. It worked! According to a proposed ordinance he unveiled yesterday, Mayor Daley wants to mount cameras on all the city's sweepers and start issuing $50 robotickets to illegal parkers. more ›

Chicago took another step towards fulfilling Mayor Daley’s vow that by 2016, we’ll have cameras on “almost every block.” more ›