| If you think you're being watched, you're probably right. The
American Civil Liberties Union posted a  website Monday showing that
government-financed surveillance cameras are running rampant across the United States.
All the while, studies suggest they do nothing to cut down on violent crime. San
Francisco, for example, has spent $700,000 for dozens of public cameras, but a University
of California study
(.pdf, 187 pages) just concluded there was "no evidence" they curtailed violent
crime.
"Violent incidents do not decline in areas near the cameras relative to areas
further away," added the study, which noted the cameras helped police bring charges
against six people accused of felony property crimes. "We observe no decline in
violent crimes occurring in public places."
But the report did show that, over the past two years, property crimes such as burglary
and muggings dropped an estimated 24 percent in areas within 100 feet of San Francisco
camera locations.
The ACLU's website, "You Are Being Watched," shows a map of
the 50 U.S. states with links to news accounts about where surveillance cameras are in
each state. The federal government has given state and local governments $300 million in
grants to fund an ever-growing array of cameras.
Barry Steinhardt, director of the ACLU's Technology and Liberty Program, said in a
telephone interview that, while the cameras have helped nab suspects, he believes they
provide a false sense of security.
"It's the illusion of security ... public authorities like to give the impression
they are doing something about crime and terrorism," Steinhardt said.
He said it is impossible to quantify exactly how many government-backed surveillance
cameras are in the public right of way, but they are in virtually every U.S. state.
Two questions posed on the ACLU site ask: "Do we want a society where an innocent
individual can't walk down the street without being considered a potential criminal?"
and "Do we want a society where people are comfortable with constant
surveillance?"
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