BCT Editorial – 7/1/07

This page was last updated on July 3, 2007.

Big Brother?; Editorial; Beaver County Times; July 1, 2007.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject editorial.

“Pittsburgh officials are soliciting plans to increase the number of surveillance cameras in the city - even though it already has 70.

“The plan is to add 28 more cameras, link them to a central network and possibly install software that can read license plates or be activated to shoot video when gunshots are fired, according to The Associated Press.

“City officials say video evidence would make it easier for police to solve crimes.

“But some, including Councilman Bill Peduto, are concerned that the city could be adopting a Big Brother mentality. Peduto wants limits on who can view the film and assurances that it won't be used to target specific individuals or institutions.

“Peduto has a good point. America has seen many changes in security since 9/11, but having a camera on every street corner could be taking things too far.”

[RWC] But telling people they can’t smoke on private property isn’t “taking things too far?”