Police plan for new
"Photo-enforced zones"
Austin responds to Police Chief's proposal.

AUSTIN January 27, 2008 -- There is no doubt: public reaction to Austin police chief Art Acevedo's proposed surveillance camera system is passionate on both sides of the issue.

Two residents who live near one of the proposed "photo-enforced zones," at the corner of 12th and Chicon, support the cameras. Scottie Ivory told the Austin American-Statesman, "she has asked police officials for cameras in her neighborhood for years and was pleased to hear that Acevedo is moving ahead," while KXAN-TV reported that, "Paul Henley, who works near 12th and Chicon streets, said he is all for the plan."

On the KXAN web site, comments showed the variety of public opinion. Although CITIZINE cannot absolutely confirm the identity of each of the commentators, here is a sampling of people's thoughts:

I NEVER see police officers downtown and I bet there aren't any officers at Chicon & 12th either. EVERYONE knows that drug deals go down there multiple times DAILY. Then why aren't there police there? They would rather put up cameras to watch the minorities and bust them after the fact than put officers into the community to protect the law-abiding citizens who live there.
-- CCTV doesn't stop crime

I would love the idea of having cameras put up in different parts of the city. If it's gonna decrease crime, then I'm all for it. That way the police can do their jobs on catching the criminals in the act. As a taxpayer, I don't mind my tax dollars will pay for something that will keep us safe …
-- Matthew Kimble

Thumbs up to Chief Acevedo. He is offering protection to everyone. If you don't give it a chance, then how do you know if it will work? Right away, people start yelling about civil rights and "Big Brother is watching." What about me and my family, when people are abducting and forcing children into their vehicles, the burglaries and drug deals? What about all the prostitution? It's not even safe for a child to play outside anymore, much less walk across a parking lot.
-- Virginia Johnson

This is a good idea. Everyone is worried about Big Brother watching; they tend to forget that little brother (us with cell phones and video cameras) is there also. There is no privacy (in the sense that people think anymore) with the technology everyone has. At least give the people who are hired to protect us to do just that.
-- Anthony

I hope Austin will come together to protect their civil liberties once again against this intrusion. Those who would assert these controls will continue to try to get it instituted, and we MUST be just as vigilant to hold the line. Austin, you know who you are and this is NOT acceptable!
-- James

I see the usual and anticipated responses. As a merchant on 6th St. for close to 30 years, I feel compelled to state the nature of doing business in the downtown business district. In the past two weeks, I have had three more than significant intrusions, two that were violent. I've been robbed at knife point in the past year, broken into after hours and burglarized … I value my civil rights as much as you do yours, but I'll tell you your perspective will change when you feel a steel blade at your throat, and I invite you to come on down and experience it first hand. You'll wish it was being recorded on a camera viewed by the police department … It's 2008 not 1968... Big Brother is occupied elsewhere. Why do you think you might be a person of interest ... really? Are we sacrificing our civil liberties for safety? Answer that with, "Absolutely not." The cameras will be in public spaces, not you living room recording private deeds. The times have changed and we NEED the cameras.
-- Lauri Turner, owner of Hatbox (6th at Congress)

… We are turning into England where literally every single building is under the electric eye that constantly scan back and forth. In Manchester last year, my cousin got a citation from the police for not reporting an accident because he was seen on camera getting the morning paper from his yard and noticed a neighbor's car had been hit while parked on the street. The neighbor reported it to the police, and since my cousin did not, he was fined. The crazy thing was that the camera did not catch the person who hit the car, so go figure.
-- Austinite

Great idea!!
-- Johnnie

Austin police chief proposes police
camera system for "high crime areas"

COMMENTARY: Video surveillance for the people

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