When Chicago began its crime camera surveillance program, there were initially 200 cameras installed. Today, that number is dramatically higher. In fact, a Mayor Daley spokesperson, Jodi Kawada, has said that the city now has thousands of cameras. This brings up an interesting question: Are these blue light cameras replacing Chicago cops?
With thousands of cameras lining the city’s streets, Chicago now has the most integrated camera surveillance program in the country. Interestingly enough, each camera costs the city as much as $35,000 to install, plus maintenance costs. When compared to the salary and benefits of Chicago police officers, the cost of cameras is much less expensive.
Financial issues aside (which is hard to do in today’s economy), the question that lingers is whether or not surveillance cameras can replace actual, physical human police officers. There is, of course, a big difference between having a camera watch an area and having an officer watch an area. The camera can only record the action taking place (when it is working) and notify the police station. Officers, on the other hand, can take action to protect the neighborhood– even making arrests if necessary.
The difference is huge and could determine between life and death in certain circumstances. Nevertheless, according to a second city cop, the number of Chicago police officers is down 1,000 officers when compared to the number of officers twelve years ago. He also states that he thinks the reliance on cameras rather than the presence of actual officers is the main problem with this surveillance program.
So, I ask, is Chicago beginning to rely on cameras to protect their neighborhoods? Or, are the cameras valuable tools that assist officers on the job?
-Monica
