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Houston Expands Downtown Surveillance, Unsure If It Helps

Posted by timothy on from the someone-is-getting-fat-on-this dept.

SpaceGhost writes "The Associated Press reports that the Houston (Texas) Police will be adding 180 surveillance cameras in the downtown area, bringing the total to close to 1000. While most cover public areas (stadiums, theater district) the police suggest that Houston also has more 'critical infrastructure' (energy companies) than other cities. Interestingly AP points out that 'Officials say data is not kept to determine if the cameras are driving down crime.' Didn't London face the same issue?"

2 of 60 comments (clear)

  1. Well... by beh · · Score: 3, Interesting

    'Officials say data is not kept to determine if the cameras are driving down crime.'

    It seems to me, that if there _WERE_ concrete evidence of crime being reduced, they _WOULD_ keep data.

    If the cities would collect data, that does NOT show a drop in crime, then city officials might be criticized for the whole operation... ...without the data - it's hard to nail them down on it...

  2. Re:Houston, We Have a Problem... by ArhcAngel · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I suspect it is part of the settlement with the company that got screwed when Houstonians said no to red light cameras AFTER the city implemented them without asking the citizens if they wanted them.

    --
    "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K