Security vs. Privacy or The Pursuit of Safety

Where do you draw the line between increased security and infringement on your privacy?

It's an important issue, and hotly contested. With each passing day the likelihood of being caught on film increases. While the United States has been a little less amenable to ubiquitous surveillance than elsewhere, that's not to say that we're not far behind. And in many ways, it has already arrived.

Some people get it right, when it comes to this type of surveillance. They understand that its a necessary evil, especially post Columbine and post September 11.

On a less global scale, this argument has become the hot issue at my old stomping grounds, Ann Arbor Pioneer High school. At Pioneer there is a proposal to add 53 digital cameras to record the hallways, cafeteria and parking lots at the school. After having success at the school district's other large high school, administrators are set to decide on the addition of cameras to Pioneer later this month.

Everything was progressing fine when, all of the sudden, the goddamn ACLU comes to crash the party and protect the rights of the "poor, violated, young future of America" (Yea, I am being sarcastic). Give me a freaking break. Don't you have something better to do with your time? We aren't talking bathrooms, not dorm rooms or college classrooms, we're talking about HIGH SCHOOL. Yes KIDS attending a public high school (how's that funded again? OH, RIGHT!) and there is concern about their privacy in the hallway.

I don't care about the reports that say the investment in major security systems cameras hasn't paid off. This is entirely different. Liz Margolis, the Ann Arbor Public School Director of Communications even said that there weren't any cases she could think of in the time the cameras have been installed at Huron of the cameras catching anyone in the act. However, she is also quick to point out that there HAS been a reduction in the amount of crime and vandalism. Maybe that's because the vast majority, of even the kids that are committing these crimes, are not evil beings, they are kids that KNOW they can get away with stuff. These surveillance cameras would be a deterrent and that's exactly what they have done.

Here is funny little quote from the Ann Arbor News Article "We as Pioneer students were concerned about our privacy, and also about the way that it was brought about," said Bennett Stein, 17, student council executive president.

HA HA HA! PLEASE don't give me that BS. You aren't concerned with your privacy. You're concerned about getting caught! If you just don't want to get caught skipping classes and loitering, just say so. Please save me from this privacy argument. You can't bring a gun to school, can you? Why? Because a group of 3,000 kids has a different set of rules. It's good you have an interest in your rights..but if at 17 you are already siding with the ACLU, I fear the next thing to be taught in the Ann Arbor schools is intelligent design. Kirk Cameron need not apply.


My question is, what the hell could some 16 year old be doing in the hallway that shouldn't be caught on tape? If you don't want your mommy to find out about the guy you are dating then don't go gallivanting around the hallways. And while some may think that these tapes will be FOIA-d, give me a break, the only things that would be interesting enough to show on youtube are things that warrant the cameras in the first place! The PUBLIC school doesn't have some obligation to not tape the FREAKING HALLWAYS. Think of what this could prevent.

So, please ACLU, please go elsewhere to try to protect crime and eliminate punishment.