Abstract With the significant increase of traffic monitoring camera systems, the debate on their safety, effectiveness and Constitutionality has increased. The purpose of this research is to present arguments from each side of the issue and then compare statistics on the subject in order to make a determination of whether these systems are more beneficial or detrimental to public safety, and whether public interest or financial gain is the core component in the implementation of the camera systems. Over the past decade, American citizens have seen an increasingly common sight: the onslaught of electronic monitoring devices being placed at traffic lights and intersections with the sole purpose of recording driver behavior to issue citations; all in the name of safety (Federal Highway Administration Safety, n.d.). The proliferation of these traffic safety cameras, which has spread in unprecedented numbers to ever-smaller towns ("Smile, you’re on camera", 2009), is undoubtedly controversial, and has sparked much debate between citizens, legislatures, police departments, federal agencies, and civil rights groups (Burnett, 1998). Besides the debate on whether or not the cameras, and the citations that are issued to the registered vehicle owner based upon the recorded information, are constitutional, (or whether they simply constitute an Orwellian invasion of privacy), the widely-accepted premise that the cameras decrease the severity of and/or prevent automobile accidents is also intensely contested. Advocates for the implementation of red light and speed cameras are adamant that the use of such devices deters traffic violations and decreases accidents (City of Johnson City, TN, n.d.). Research supports these claims ... ... middle of paper ... ...guson, S. A., & Farmer, C. M. (2007). Reducing red light running through longer yellow signal timing and red light camera enforcement: Results of a field investigation. Retrieved from http://www.stopredlightrunning.com Ruby, D. E., & Hobeika, A. G. (2003, Summer). Assessment of red light running cameras in Fairfax County, Virginia. Transportation Quarterly, 57(3), 33-48. Shifflett, G., & Owen, J. (2008, September 22). Red light cameras in the Volunteer State: Unsafe, unconstitutional, and unnecessary (Tennessee Center for Policy Research Policy Brief 04-08). Retrieved from The Newspaper: www.thenewspaper.com Smile, you’re on camera. (2009, November). State Legislatures, 35(2), 11. Retrieved from http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.etsu.edu: The red-light camera never lies. (2009, November 13). The Hotline. Retrieved from http://find.galegroup.com.ezproxy.etsu.edu.
Johnson, Laurie. "Red Light Camera Controversy Continues." Houston Public Media. N.p., 30 Nov. 2010. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
Problem Statement: The problem is the Tempe Police Department permits police officers to determine to activate their body cameras rather than mandate an automatic activation procedure.
If misused, body-cameras can be a violation of privacy. In order to prevent this, proper legislation needs to be enacted in order to ensure privacy rights are protected. The only policy related document regarding police body cameras is the “Guidance for the use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement authorities” which is issued by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. This document discusses that rules should not be enforced only by local police departments, but for Canada as a whole. As this is the only document related to police body cameras, it is undoubtable that there needs to be serious legislation created. As it is suggested that body cameras pose as a risk for privacy rights, it is evident in order to implement them effectively, there needs to be regulation constructed. Body cameras can be an effective and useful tool, but without legislation, they can cause problems. Bruce Chapman, president of the Police Association of Ontario expresses, “We want to do it right. We don’t want to do it fast” when asked about the implementation of body cameras. While body cameras, are important to have in today's society, it is also dire to have it done properly. By enforcing strict guidelines, and documents addressing body camera legislation, it will ensure the process is done correctly. In order to implement body cameras properly, privacy rights need to be assessed. This process takes time, and proves body cameras need to be implemented at a pace legislation can follow. Thomas K. Bud, discusses the worry that privacy will be violated with body cameras. Factors such as facial recognition, citizen consent of recording, and violations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms all pose as risks. While legislation has not matched their guidelines with modern technology, it proves how important it is to create new documents, in order for changes to be made. Therefore body
The study will consist of sampling of students in the criminal justice field along with any respective civilian that may come in contact with the study. The research on the subject of body-cameras and their effects on the civilians that they record seem to be mostly engaged with the idea of reducing civilian complaints and other factors involving police accountability. However, one report states that in regards to civilian opinions, “Of ...
Should police officers be mandated to wear body cameras? That is a question that has grown to be widely discussed in media, politics, and public. The death of Michael Brown due to a fatal shooting by a law enforcement officer inflamed the idea that police officers should wear body cameras (Griggs, Brandon). The opposing sides of such controversial questions both provide a strong reasonable argument that support each side. However, despite the critiques against body cameras, I believe the evidence that support the usage of body cameras to be overwhelmingly positive and the intention is of pure deeds. Police officers should be required to wear body cameras; because it will build a trust between law enforcement and the community, it will decrease
Police officers with their body cameras: a history and back ground paper to answer the question if should all police officers wear body cameras, it is important to first look at the history and back ground of the topic. According to article of Journal of quantitative criminology, writers Ariel, Farrar, Sutherland, Body cameras have been given a new eye opener to people about the excessive use of force against their community members. Arial, Farrar, and Sutherland in the article state “The effect of police body warn cameras on use of force and citizens’ complaints against the police: A randomize controlled trial” describe their observation as:
Surveillance cameras have evolved and have become more sophisticated over the years. With advanced technology cameras are now equipped with high definition imaging, audio, and even night vision. It is important for law enforcement to be equipped with this advanced technology when it comes to deterring and solving crimes. To explain, high definition cameras provide better image quality which makes it easier to provide officers, citizens, and the media with a distinctive description of the suspect or persons of interest. With this high quality imaging police are able to read words off a newspaper or a book from a light pole twenty feet away; this is a vital aspect that can help law enforcement officials with solving various types of crimes. Next, audio will help catch any verbal exchanges between the suspect and the victim. For example, if a gang affiliated subject was allegedly involved in an altercation with a rival gang member and are standing within a certain radius of the surveillance...
Younger, Evelle J. "Stop-and-frisk: "Say It Like It Is." Journal Of Criminal Law, Criminology & Police Science 58.3 (1967): 293-302. Criminal Justice Abstracts with Full Text. Web. 14 Apr. 2014.
The Northern Virginia driving populace expands consistently coming about because of business and lodging development. Every year additionally brings a wave of new adolescents into the driving populace. Every day amid my average drive one hour drive, I watch drivers content informing on their mobile phones. A late review led by Journey Safe, a safe driving support association, found that in excess of 90% of teens confess to doing different tasks while driving, for example, chatting on the phone, consuming, playing noisy music, channel surfing, utilizing mp3 players, and cooperating with companions in the auto actually when they concede they think that it occupying. The same study results demonstrate that a staggering 75% of adolescents confessed to content informing while driving. Content informing while driving is a developing pattern and is turning into one of the country 's top executioners. In 2011, 1.3 billion (almost 25% of all) car crashes came about because of messaging while driving and 11 adolescents kicked the bucket commonplace from messaging while driving. Notwithstanding, just thirty-nine (39) states in addition to DC restrict all drivers from content informing. Honestly, distracted driving is a perilous reality and it makes driving unsafe business for everybody on the streets. Americans ought to backing the
The 25% of police agencies in America that use body worn cameras must follow set
Police Behavior during Traffic and Street Stops. 2011 . Retrieved November 18, 2013 from: http://www.bjs.gov/index.
Chertoff, M. (2014, October 23). Police cameras need to protect privacy, too. USA Today, p. 7a.
As we cruised around the community, he pointed out countless minor traffic violations, both moving and non-moving, but opted not to make any stops. At this point he stated his main concern was to spot any impaired drivers and get them off the road. Eventually, as we came up behind an older civic (the Civic had a broken brake light) on Centreville Road, the officer stated that he detected the scent of marijuana coming from the Civic. The driver of the Civic noticed Crutchman’s police cruiser behind him and dropped his speed to 5 mph under the posted limit. Officer Crutchman began tailing the vehicle which immediately turned off on the next available road. We proceeded to follow the Civic for a couple of miles. I could tell that Officer Crutchman wanted to make the stop, and I inquired why he hadn’t done so already on account of the Civic’s faulty brake light. He responded that he is cautious about making such stops because he does not want a “new law named after him” on account of the controversy surrounding pretextual stops. It is possible that this careful attitude has developed as a result of the rising public outcry against police and
Thesis statement: Risks of texting while driving over the past few years has become a key topic for many Americans through the country. It has been the cause of numerous deaths and injuries and remains a vast disturbance for drivers. Hence driving is one of the greatest common causes of misfortunes on roads. This can result in, physical visual and cognitive distraction and significantly increases the amount of time a driver devotes not looking at the road. Therefore police officers should seize the phones of those who text and drive.
Having a network of cameras on every street in the city increases the chances of preventing a crime, along with the ability to capture a criminal on video. Some people argue that the cameras generate an overwhelming amount of evidence to sift through.... ... middle of paper ... ... However, because all this technology is relatively new, there are not really any policies that have been enacted yet.