Attaining Public Support for Urban Surveillance ProgramsFor some, the presence of surveillance cameras in public spaces is perfectly acceptable. But for others, concerns over personal privacy weigh heavily, and the use of surveillance leaves them feeling invaded and concerned about the possibility of being wrongly accused. City leaders have several competing and interrelated responsibilities. They need to ensure citizens' safety and achieve a thriving business environment while also remaining attentive to residents' privacy and potential abuses of their surveillance programs. How can city leaders ensure support for their surveillance programs? And why should they care to do so in the first place? |
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Ensuring Community Support:
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Sentiment analysis of social media activity on the topic of public surveillance before and after the August 2012 shooting near the Empire State Building. Red shading (Fig 2) shows an increase in the number of posts and positive sentiment on the topic, post-incident.
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What a Difference a Riot Makes!Shifts in public opinion regarding surveillance technologies often emerge in the wake of high-profile incidents of crime or violence. Few people, for example, would have submitted to full body scans at airport security check points prior to the attacks of September 11, 2001. But today, the majority of airline passengers accept advanced imaging scanners as being more efficient and accurate than low-tech "pat downs". Here we explore several examples of recent criminal events and their impact on public sentiment surrounding urban surveillance.
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Beyond CCTVDue to its prevalence relative to other surveillance technologies, CCTV often finds itself at the center of debate concerning the right to privacy. However, a range of other surveillance technologies—some in operation; others still in development—should be getting at least as much if not more attention. These technologies are causing significant concern on the part of anti-surveillance watchdogs while generating excitement on the part of city leaders, urban managers, public safety officials, and police.
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Surveillance: For & AgainstEvery city's surveillance program provokes both positive and negative reactions. The following organizations offer a diverse range of research and opinions: some in support of urban surveillance; others focused on defending civil liberties and the law; and still others that are anti-surveillance. An even-handed assessment of the topic requires us to explore all viewpoints. Big Brother Watch » Exposing the true scale of "the surveillance state" Center for Media and Communications Studies » Advancing media and communication scholarship and policy CCTV Image » Best practices in the operation of CCTV surveillance Electronic Privacy Information Center » Focusing attention on privacy and civil liberties issues No-CCTV » Campaign against camera surveillance in the UK and beyond Privacy International » Defending privacy rights; fighting unlawful surveillance Surveillance & Society » All areas of surveillance research Surveillance Studies Center » Exploring the social, political and economic consequences of surveillance Urban Eye » Research on CCTV in Europe: its social and political impacts and regulation |
Community-Led Surveillance ProgramsFrom private-owned businesses to home owners to individual citizens with smart phones, the public is getting more and more involved in the operation of surveillance and other policing activities. The following programs are having a positive impact on urban safety. ProjectNOLA » A non-profit organization that provides homeowners with high-definition cameras, so long as they point them toward the street Facewatch » An online system for businesses to report or even prevent crimes by sharing images of suspects between members and with authorities Cities Alliance for Citizen Security » Citizens and business owners in 41 Latin American and Caribbean cities have joined together to improve safety and security Exeter Business Against Crime » Local landlords and shop owners communicate potential threats to CCTV operators using two-way radios and receive similar alerts in return |
For information about our Safe City solutions, please email Dave Gorshkov, Director, Safe City Solutions at AGT International: dgorshkov@agtinternational.com
