by Suzanne
Candid Surveillance Camera
An ABC News/Washington Post poll says Americans, by a nearly 3 -to-1 margin, are willing to give up their privacy in favor of crime fighting cameras in public areas. The media outlets conducted the poll in mid-July by telephone using a random sample of 1,125 adults across the U.S. They break down their subjects by demographics to reveal insights. For example, according to analysts, participants who are democrats, especially those who support Barak Obama, are less likely to approve London style surveillance cameras. A similar " Ring of Steel surveillance network will be in place at the lower end of Manhattan. By the end of 2007, 100 new cameras will be in place. By 2010, 3,000 public and private cameras will blanket the Big Apple. Chicago and Baltimore also plan expanded surveillance systems. The New York Civil Liberties Union is calling on the City of New York to use public input and external oversight on any planned cameras to prevent abuse.
I think the most notable thing about the poll is the comments section. Participants overwhelmingly disagree with the findings. My favorite entry is "The answer to 1984 is 1776".
Posted on August 02, 2007
