Surveillance cameras promote safety

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2005

TO THE EDITOR:

It appears the recent move to install surveillance cameras in public places has engendered debate over two conflicting rights: the right to privacy versus the right to safe and peaceful living conditions.

Regarding privacy, I think we all agree that surveillance cameras must be restricted to public places - streets, sidewalks, parking lots, etc., and must never be focused on private homes or other venues where everyone should have un expectation of privacy. This being said, it bears pointing out that cameras are neutral in that they are capable of recording only that which actually happens. If a woman walks the neighborhood picking up litter, her act of pride is recorded. If a man stops to mediate a growing argument between two children, his act of concern is recorded. If a person breaks a car window and steals the contents of the care - that criminal act is recorded. The camera doesn't create things, miss things or misrepresent things. These are public acts recorded in public places, and if the act is a crime, then the camera can assist police in apprehending and charging the criminal. What's the problem?

As for the right of safe and peaceful living, it seems to me that in recent decades too much has happened in our society that results in depriving law-abiding citizens of their right to safety. In the rush to protect the rights of criminals and the right to such issues as privacy, we have diminished the right to live without fear.

This issue is more important to me and my wife than most Lancaster Countians because we have chosen to live in the heart of the city. We live here because we like the convenience of city living, we appreciate the abundant ethnic cultural and racial diversity of the people who are our neighbors and because we are endeavoring to make a positive impact on the city by our actions and our contributions to our neighborhood.

In recent weeks, one of our windows was broken by vandals, a neighbor was stabbed and slashed, a home was broken into and robbed and we have had numerous fights and brawls. These all are assaults on our right to a safe and peaceful neighborhood. and if we had surveillance cameras in our neighborhood the violators of our peace - and laws - may have thought twice about their actions and the police may have more success in apprehending them.

I believe in the right of privacy and in the constitutional right "innocent until proven guilty." I abhor racial profiling and all attempts to harass or intimidate innocent persons. But I also believe we have a right to a balanced society in which every effort is made to provide peace and safety to law-abiding persons, and I believe that the future of our cities - if not our nation - hangs in the balance.

Michael L. Ervin, Lancaster

"I support the use of video
cameras as an important tool
that law enforcement and residents
can rely upon to enhance
public safety."

Mayor J. Richard Gray