Do American Cities Need More Surveillance Cameras

Do American Cities Need More Surveillance Cameras

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Apr 16, 2013

So, what do you think? Do American cities need more surveillance cameras? Rep. Peter King thinks so. 

Do you agree or disagree with him?

Video Transcript

ANDREA MITCHELL, MSNBC: Congressman briefly, do you think that this will lead to more cameras? I know it's controversial, there are privacy issues. Boston does have a lot of cameras. European cities, led by London, have the most. Are Americans going to have to get used to more surveillance on a daily basis?

REP. PETER KING (R-NY): I think we do because I think privacy involves being in a private location. Being out in the street is not an expectation of privacy. Anyone can look at you, can see you, can watch what you're doing. A camera just makes it more sophisticated, but it's no different from your neighbor looking out the window at you or a police officer looking at you walking down the street.

So I do think we need more cameras. We have to stay ahead of the terrorists and I do know in New York, the Lower Manhattan Security Initiative, which is based on cameras, the outstanding work that results from that. So yes, I do favor more cameras. They're a great law enforcement method and device. And again, it keeps us ahead of the terrorists, who are constantly trying to kill us.

I hope also that members of Congress, both parties, including my own, will realize that the war against terror is not over. And it's foolhardy to be making cuts in Homeland Security, especially to cities, whose police departments need this to train and to be ready to take on terrorism. (Andrea Mitchell Reports, April 16, 2013)

See Gov. Peter King's Video Here: http://http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2013/04/16/gop_rep_peter_king_on_boston_bombing_i_do_think_we_need_more_cameras_.html

Video transcript courtesy of Kurt Barnhart for BRS Labs. A very special thank you to Kurt!

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

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