Chicago Police Want Covert Cameras
By aaroncynic in News on Mar 10, 2010 3:40PM
The familiar blinking blue light cameras that dot many city streets could get smaller soon, according to an article by the Chicago Tribune. The Tribune reported yesterday that the Chicago Police are considering employing smaller, covert cameras in the hope of further combating crime. According to the article, these cameras could be as small as a thimble. Last month, Police Superintendent Jody Weis said in an interview with WLS, “These can be secreted in locations that nobody would ever detect. It's amazing where we're going with technology.” While some may marvel at the applications of such cloak and dagger spy technology, the idea of both overt and covert cameras blanketing the city raises some very serious privacy concerns. Spokesperson for the Illinois ACLU Ed Yohnka said “...there's a heightened sensibility and concern on the part of citizens when you start talking about things like covert cameras.”
While surveillance cameras have become commonplace in big cities like Chicago, from city police cameras to those in front of private businesses and cameras at red lights, many have doubts on their actual effectiveness. Several studies have been published that point out while cameras show some isolated effectiveness in stopping crimes and assist in solving crimes, overall, they do not actually cut crime significantly. In addition, privacy has certainly taken a back seat to what could end up being the illusion of security.
Supporters may trot out the platitude “those with nothing to hide have nothing to fear,” we have to ask where the line gets drawn. If the public is willing to allow big brother to watch their every move on the street overtly and covertly, how far behind are we from covert conversation recording, unmanned UAV's flying over our heads, or even spy cameras in our own home? A more important question might be “who watches the watchers?”