A story last week in The Seattle Times described how three video cameras had been installed in Cal Anderson Park in February, figuratively under the cover of night. The city said the cameras would help the city and police keep the park safer given the drug and loitering issues the park faces.
An understandable outcry over privacy filled the blogosphere. But the issue does not involve an invasion of privacy. As unpleasant to some as the thought of video cameras in a city park may be, Cal Anderson Park is a public place. As such, there is no legal expectation of privacy. People can take pictures and videos in public places, and so can an organization or a municipal government. It may be distasteful, a sign of an overbearing Big Brother or a reflection the political zeitgeist, but it's legal.
The larger issues revolve around whether placing the cameras in the park actually makes any sense or makes the park any safer. The camera money spent could well have been spent on other measures that could improve park safety. Among these: more police officers, the need for which is almost universally acknowledged.
Other questions yet to be answered include who will be looking at these images and how often a person will actually be monitoring the monitor. Another legitimate concern involves what will be done with any saved video recordings, as well as who will have access to them. The city claims the cameras will assist in preventing criminal activity and possibly in prosecuting criminal cases. But if a police officer is captured violating the public trust, would the city be willing to turn over tapes of this sort?
As well, one has to be seriously concerned about Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels' signet-ring-and-wax approach. His actions come across as an imperial, scepter waving act of mayoral fiat. The City Council was not consulted on this subject, which would have been an appropriate and transparent approach; you'd think the parks committee at least would have been informed. Such an approach speaks volumes about Nickels' approach to matters that many people rightly consider sensitive.
The cameras may not be a literal invasion of privacy, but putting them in Cal Anderson Park creates more questions than they answer.
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