Friday, October 23, 2009

SECURITY CAMERAS FOR "AT RISK NEIGHBOURHOODS"

The Toronto Police Services Board, has recently approved an additional 11 cameras, to be added to the 15 security cameras, that already existed in "high risk neighbourhoods" in Toronto. This will give 24 hr coverage of those neighbourhoods that the police has also deemed, as being more criminal than others. Among the factors that went into their decision, was also the socio-economic level of those communities. The problem with this also, is that some of those neighbourhoods in question, has also a higher visibility of minorities and they are also considered, by the Toronto police, as worth watching. The economic gap between the poor and the rich, has also put the former in the category, of being watched by the police and for the simple fact, that, those on the lowest economic scale, are also minorities. Their actions besides promoting racism, also does not help to promote human rights either. The specific neighbourhoods, in which the cameras were installed, are also being kept a secret, but that is not entirely difficult to find out, because of the criterias, that were also used by the police, in the targeting of those neighbourhoods. Most people will agree too, that the decision of the Toronto Police Services Board to target such neighbourhoods, was also racist and bias. Based also on the demographics that were also used by the police. And also in subjecting those within those areas, to be constantly watched by the police, 24 hours a day, by those video cameras, which by the way, has very little effect, in the prevention of crime anyway. The actions of the Toronto police, has also reinforced the myth, that crimes are also mostly committed by the poor, as this was also a part of their decision, in regards to the installment of those cameras. It is no wonder that there are no improvements between the police and those groups, which are also generally targeted by them. Surveillance cameras in our society has become common place. Setting up cameras in specific neighbourhoods, to watch the day to day activities of those in such neighbourhoods, could be challenged, because it also infringes upon their rights and especially when the reasons for those cameras, also pointed to those communities also being targeted by the police and for reasons that has also clearly discriminated against them.