Video Cameras Threaten Privacy
In the aftermath of the Labor Day riot at Huntington Beach, police have been toying with the idea of setting up video cameras at points along the shoreline to watch beach crowds routinely--just in case something happens.
The idea should be scrapped before it goes any further. It is taking the use of cameras dangerously beyond reasonable bounds to invade the privacy of innocent people in their daily activities.
We do not oppose the use of cameras, tapes and all the latest technology in the war against crime.
Police certainly need every available weapon, and cameras have become commonplace and acceptable in stores, banks and other buildings.
But there is a line to be drawn. And that clearly is when technology begins to invade the public’s privacy and puts people under the eye of electronic Peeping Toms as they go about normal and lawful activities in open public places, like the beach.
The crime rate is not so severe and beach or street violence so pervasive that people must accept Big Brother watching their every move.
About 18 years ago the Newport Beach City Council wisely rejected a plan to install video cameras on city streets when police couldn’t convince the council that such surveillance could be conducted without invading anyone’s privacy.
The idea is just as dangerous and unacceptable now.
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