The use of video surveillance cameras in public places is taken within the negative and positive perspectives. Among the positive results of using video surveillance cameras include the benefit of eradicating the commission of crimes using the closed-circuit television (CCTV) installed across the public areas as a crime deterrent tool. The cameras installed in public places also help the authorities to solve crimes easily by quick identification of the perpetrators of crimes.
People can use the CCTV also as a tool for monitoring road mishaps or when medical assistance is needed by the public. It makes emergency response more efficient with the help of video surveillance cameras. However, there are growing concerns about the violation of the Constitutional protection against invasion of privacy with the installation of the surveillance cameras in public. Some people fear that the use of the surveillance cameras may be used for spying on people and may compromise their privacy. It appears, however, that the benefits of using the surveillance cameras outweigh this kind of public concern.
After all, the installation of cameras in public places for surveillance is within the areas where every individual has no reasonable right to claim their own privacy under the circumstances of being in a public place. The constitutional protection of privacy guarantees the right of people to privacy and not applicable in public places. A doctrinal assertion to invoke the right to privacy constitutes only the protection involving a situation where an individual has a reasonable right to invoke some privacy, but such right cannot be invoked when they are in public places. Moreover, the use of surveillance cameras is regulated and must not be used arbitrarily, but only within the bounds of the law to protect the citizens.
Reference:
Miller, L., Hess, K. & Orthmann, C. (2011). Community policing: Partnerships for problem solving (6th ed.). Clifton Park, NY: Cengage Learning.
