Americans Favor Surveillance Cameras (enemies, poll, suspect, border)

[LauraC]

Interesting poll results were just released showing that Americans favor the increased use of street surveillance cameras and it wasn't even close. 71% favor it and only 25% oppose it. Even more interesting is that the majority support for surveillance cameras crosses political, ideological and population groups although to different degrees.

ABC News: Surveillance Cameras Win Broad Support

The poll was conducted by the Washington Post and ABC News.

Now, let me ask you something - Does this not prove that the issue of national security/crime is a top issue in the 2008 Presidential election and do these poll results also reflect badly on the CNN/YouTube debate where there were no national security questions put forth to the candidates?

And again, this has nothing to do with the Democrat candidates because they didn't even get the opportunity to address the issue. But now, shouldn't we expect every reporter (TV, radio, internet, print) to ask them to make up for the CNN/YouTube debate deficiency since it is obviously an issue in the minds of many Americans?

[GregW]

I do not mind the presence of security cameras nearly everywhere. This is kind of strange because I am a strong believer in individual freedom. I think have a camera recording just what happened would be quite handy if I ever encountered a thief or mugger and had to defend myself.

What I do object to is the “red light” cameras under the control of a private company that receives revenue based on the number of tickets processed. These cameras should at least be owned and operated by the local police. The concept of privately or corporately owned law enforcement is completely unacceptable.

[ShadowCaver]

Cameras on every corner, ala England? No thanks.

Sorry, but maybe I desire not to be a player in Orwell's 1984.

Who will watch the watchers?

People really desire to relinquish liberties and privacy for "security"?



New Statesman - Watching you watching me
"The average Londoner going about his or her business may be monitored by 300 CCTV cameras a day."

[PPG]

Its because Americans are dumb. America with cameras on every corner is NOT America.

And for the idiots who say "I have nothing to hide". Yes you do, it's called PRIVACY. Look it up.

Also, these cameras are technically advanced and have the abillity to see inside your house/car with extreme clarity.

In my city they have just put 70 cameras on top of our highest skyscraper. These cameras can be controlled from police in their cars. The same police who abuse their duty, beat up their wives, and deal with mental and emotional problems.

So now that cop who has a crush on your daughter, can watch her everywhere she goes, even in her house.

Hitler would be pround.

[LauraC]

Originally Posted by PPG

Its because Americans are dumb. America with cameras on every corner is NOT America.

And for the idiots who say "I have nothing to hide". Yes you do, it's called PRIVACY. Look it up.

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So, what would you do to protect American citizens from crime and terrorism?

You see, that's all I was looking for, from the YouTube debate. The surveillance poll results tells me national security/crime is a top issue for people. I want to hear all of the candidates address national security and crime and what they would do as President to protect us.

It doesn't have to be surveillance cameras which I think helps the investigators get the perp, post-act, rather than while it's occuring.

I know what some of them won't do. I want to hear what they will do.

[roanoker 4]

I am one of the majority of people in the U.S. who feel we should have more surveillance cameras, especially in Washington DC in the METRO, museums,
and on the streets. It should be a done deal already in NYC, but that City will be much harder to monitor due to its high density. I was also surprised nothing was said on the YouTube debates on national security. Maybe that format which bordered on a comedy show should be abandoned for the next debate. Protecting our own people for a change would be a refreshing new change in Washington. Our military can't do much for us AFTER we have another terrorist incident!! From what I understand of our consitution, our military is supposed to protect US from enemies that want to kill us, NOT our enemies who want to kill each other!!

[RedNC]

Most stores you go into now days have surveillance cameras and I don’t feel it’s an invasion. Hopefully it helps catch shoplifters. Since the costs of shoplifting are added into the prices that the rest of us pay I don’t see a problem with using surveillance to catch them.

Take a look at some of the recent child abductions that have occurred where private surveillance cameras have aided in the identification and conviction of the criminals.

In England these cameras were used in identifying bombing suspects.

As it was said before only those that have something to hide fear them.

Next time you go to Las Vegas try to find a casino that doesn’t use surveillance, or better yet cheat at one of the tables and see how well their surveillance works.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by LauraC

So, what would you do to protect American citizens from crime and terrorism?

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A good starting point would be to go after terrorists where they are known to be operating rather then invading countries where they aren't. It's a little late by the time they're identifiable on cameras in the US.

[AksarbeN]

I’d have to agree with you about Americans feeling the need for national security/crime as a top issue for 2008. However I need to add that the news media and this administration has continued to introduce the “fear” concept to the masses. Somehow people feel comfortable with cameras focused on them. Little do they know that it isn’t protecting them from much of anything but monitoring more for the after the crime thought of who do we look for.

[GregW]

I see surveillance cameras as a reasonably unimpeachable witness in case I have to damage a criminal that makes the mistake of assaulting me or mine. I also do not much care who is watching me. I’ll still do pretty much as I damn well please.