Extreme Makeover, Big Brother Edition

Here's an interesting read on how Chicago area law enforcement is using technology to be more efficient and effective. One of the Chicago PD's new initiatives involves a pilot installation of 30 surveillance cameras to keep some eyes on the streetz. While the use of cameras isn't new - the UK started pilot programs in the early 90s and other US cities such as New Orleans and New York have been using them to some extent for a while - the planned rollout of 2,250 cameras does make one sit up and notice. As mentioned in the article, Chicago doesn't have the best record with regards to protecting Civil Rights in the course of protecting it's citizens:

Critics worry that the cameras and tactical units are more of the same - and see in other cities evidence to support their fears. In New Orleans, for instance, surveillance cameras were originally envisioned as witnesses that couldn't be intimidated. The problem, critics say, is that the cameras make the streets so unfriendly that no one feels comfortable leaving the house, whether they're planning to break the law or not. One inarguable effect, says NOPD detective Mike Carambat: "You put one of these cameras up and these thugs, they scatter like roaches in the spotlight."

Critics also note that surveillance cameras seem to get pointed at certain minority groups. One Hull University study found that "nine out of ten targeted surveillances were on men, particularly if they were young and black." Another discovered that blacks were twice as likely as whites "to be surveilled for no apparent reason." Paul Jakes Jr., a reverend whose Old Saint Paul Missionary Baptist Church is not far from where Chicago's first surveillance camera was mounted, says the pods are another way to turn his neighbors into suspects. "They have criminalized the whole community," thunders Jakes, who ran for mayor in 2003, partially on a platform of keeping the cops in check.

Of course, there's always the argument that if you don't live the thug life, you have nothing to worry about right? I'm honestly quite torn on this topic as less crime is always nice but is it worth having cameras all over the place? Reeks a little too much of the "Eye" if you ask me (that's for you V for Vendetta fans).

[Thanks to Gizmodo.com for the find]