Money exchanges can be seen as drug transactions in neighborhoods where drug activity is prevelant
When police crime cameras were first installed, they were placed very strategically. More specifically, these cameras were located in places where crime, especially high-risk violence and drug activity, was most prevelant. But stories discussing this issue believe there is an underlying reason for this placement.
Because cameras were almost exclusively installed in low-income communities of color, the message behind them was seen as prejudice. Many residents of these communities would often ask why these cameras were not installed in all neighborhoods of Chicago rather than just in low-income communities. In addition, many residents felt as if their neighborhoods were being labeled “ghetto” when crime cameras were installed there.
This, of course, created hostility towards cameras that were meant to help reduce crime and keep the residents of these neighborhoods safer. As time has progressed, the City of Chicago has installed more and more cameras. Mayor Daley has even discussed his goal of eventually installing a camera on each street.
Nevertheless, the story that made me decide to post on the topic of chicago crime cameras and prejudice was intriguing. In this story, a man presents an interesting idea. He says that if someone were to ask him for change on a street where a camera could record his activity, he would not even be willing to give this other person change. His reasoning is that in places such as Cabrini Green, an exchange– even of monetary funds– would be seen as a drug transaction on video. The camera could not distinguish between an exchange of money and an exchange of something else. This man simply did not want the cops assuming his actions and arresting him when he had nothing wrong.
I feel this point is an interesting one. I never thought about how a simple transaction for change could come off as something more. It is a shame that crime cameras make people extremely conscious of their innocent actions instead of feeling safer about their environment.
-Monica
