EPIC Seeks DC Surveillance Camera Records

Default.cfg writes: "In response to news reports that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) had constructed an extensive surveillance camera network in Washington, D.C., EPIC has filed a series of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to learn more about the system. The system allows police to monitor surveillance cameras from around the city in a central office called the 'Synchronized Operations Command Center' (SOCC)." Read on below for more information, including some interesting links. " The system was assembled and activated with no public dialogue or debate. Since its activation, the camera network has been used to monitor individuals engaged in legitimate First Amendment activities, including the participants in the World Bank and International Monetary Fund protests in April 2000. Basic questions regarding the system -- such as the cost of the system and issues of access to data, data retention, and data sharing -- remain unknown.

EPIC's request seeks information about the cameras, the policies on their use, and future plans for expansion of the network. The request was directed to the MPD and federal agencies that have access to the SOCC for monitoring. The MPD has plans to link even more cameras to the system, including cameras from private stores in Washington's Georgetown neighborhood.

Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD) has expressed objections to the monitoring network as well. Rep. Morella chairs a House Government Reform subcommittee that has oversight on DC policy, and has called for hearings on the issue.

On February 26, the MPD announced that it had turned off twelve cameras that monitored buildings in and around the National Mall. The cameras were deactivated with the close of the Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Utah and the end of the terror alert announced last month by Attorney General John Ashcroft; however, the cameras could be reactivated at any time.

EPIC Press Release on DC Surveillance Cameras: http://www.epic.org/open_gov/FOIA/dccameraspr.html

EPIC Face Recognition Page: http://www.epic.org/privacy/facerecognition/

Privacy International Video Surveillance Page: http://www.privacyinternational.org/issues/cctv/in dex.html"