Transparency Facebook-Style at the Mall
The idea that closed circuit TV cameras deter crime took a blow this week. Detective chief inspector Mick Neville of Scotland Yard called the assumed crime-deterrents an “utter fiasco”. (via)
Having worked in a major urban shopping mall and dealt with their security force with their security cameras I must say I think security cameras are needed but are abused more than you would think. Their effectiveness depends so much on the caliber of the folks on the other end — and you need eyeballs on the other end. Don’t kid yourself.
The one and only way I can see to get around the abuse problem is full transparency. All CCTV feeds should be broadcast publicly via the internet. That way the “public” space is truly public. The power dynamic changes. People would have to confront their presence in public. Kind of like people have to reconcile their online profiles and their professional careers. It would be a game changer.
Wired magazine this month(16.05) has a story on the next generation of public surveillance. Pliskin welcomes you to Fortress Manhattan.
photo: Vincent Laforet via wired
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