Security Cameras Bay Area

Smile, you're the star on security cameras Bay Area. There's a growing trend in San Francisco Bay Area communities to install Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) to monitor high crime areas or locales with high victim attack activity. For many people this is just another step towards a fully-realized Orwellian world, but many city governments' objective is to augment their police capabilities by adding security cameras to help curb crime, protect its citizens, and increase community security against crime and terrorism threats.

Like it or not, Americans are being watched and monitored around the country, and not just by the government but the private sector as well. At a roulette table in Vegas be assured it's not just the croupier watching you put your stack of chips on red, check out the smoked glass dome above you and wave when the ball stops on 00. Don't think you're the only one to know that you went for a Super-sized non-diet soft drink at the Golden Arches. Always smile at the ATM machine while withdrawing Fast Cash. It's a fact of life that public surveillance is methodically permeating our public lives, we're being watched whether we like it or not. The question is, "How far do we go?"

Before going any further, security cameras Bay Area are different than those sneaky cameras installed at various street intersections to capture autos with their unwitting drivers running red lights—not to nab violent felons or treacherous terrorists. Take it as a sign of the times or as technological evolution, but from San Jose to San Francisco, municipal governments have installed CCTV as extra eyes. Their intent is two-fold, prevent crime and increase security against terrorism. Part of this recent surge is to take advantage of Federal grants from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allocating a portion of the funds tied to anti-terrorism projects. Many cities around the U.S. have installed CCTV test programs and San Francisco Bay Area cities are no exception. The following is a listing of some of the cities that are getting into the non-Hollywood movie business.

Under Mayor Gavin Newsom, the city of San Francisco has installed 63 cameras in different sites as deterrent to crime with plans to add 25 more in 2008. The cameras are installed in strategic spots such as the Bayview District in the southeast section of the City that is known for high crime activity, particularly violent assaults and robbery. The Federally-funded Housing Authority also has 178 security cameras to help deter crime in their public housing facilities. While these are city surveillance programs, publicly-owned cameras are just a handful compared to the stores in Union Square that watch you shop or the BART cameras that monitor passengers on platforms and cars as they travel around the Bay Area. Transportation security is vital and surveillance is vigilant at the usual suspects; the Golden Gate Bridge and SFO. Not so obvious are taxis. The San Francisco Taxi Commission has mandated security cameras in all taxis for driver's and passenger's protection.

The high tech cities of Silicon Valley along with others in the area are also adding security cameras. For many years CCTV in the South Bay area has been installed to monitor key traffic spots. Over the last decade, San Jose has revitalized its downtown turning it into a vibrant destination for business and for entertainment. Restaurants, nightclubs, museums, and the San Jose Sharks have helped turn the once dormant and provincial city into lively nighttime destination. Unfortunately the increased activities downtown also has triggered more crime. The San Jose police have installed a handful of cameras to keep tabs on the local scene.

The city on the east side of the Bay Bridge has a well-documented history with crime. Consequently Oakland has embarked on a program to quell criminal activity. One effort has been to purchase a dozen security cameras and loan them to local merchants who then turn over footage to the police for criminal investigations.

Crime is a significant problem in this blue-collar community north of Berkeley. The City Council has approved a plan to install 113 security cameras to help fight crime in their neighborhoods as well as illegal dumping, vandalism, and trespassing.

This delta town in the East Bay has 13 cameras installed with plans to add another 13 for monitor their waterfront area.

Security cameras in the Bay Area are not without controversy or welcomed by everyone. Privacy rights proponents are fearful that government's increase in surveillance is crossing the line and violating their rights. The ACLU believes that individual liberties are being threatened by the onslaught of surveillance cameras and question the effectiveness and benefits of being constantly watched. Advocates against security cameras proliferation often cite potential abuse by law enforcement agencies as a primary concern.

One way that San Francisco assuages these anti-camera parties is by not live-monitoring camera feeds by police or to allow the police to manipulate cameras to target individuals. Videotape is only used for prosecution rather than to preempt a crime.

If effectiveness was obvious then communities would probably embrace the prospect of security cameras Bay Area more warmly. Statistics don't make an absolute case for security cameras to prevent crime. ACLU's basic position is that security cameras don't work and potentially ravage people's right. Conversely, police intuitively believe that cameras discourage crimes. In fact, the video image of a crime goes along way to prosecute a crime and get a conviction.

One weakness to make case for security cameras as deterrent tool is the inconsistency in programs and policies from community to community. Perhaps if San Francisco would live-monitor their cameras then their program might show better results.

Despite its opponents, communities are proceeding to install security cameras, some cautiously and some with more relish and enthusiasm. Technology development keeps adding new hardware and software features that broaden security camera's capabilities and give law enforcement more refined tools to use. If the tide keeps surging at its current pace, don't be surprised to one day find a security camera watching another security camera..

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