I found the article regarding “cop cams” interesting and unnerving at the same time [Signal Hill and Long Beach police departments considering ‘cop cams,’ Aug. 29].
We are becoming a public that is accepting, unfortunately, of cameras “spying” on us in any number of venues in our daily lives, for example, stores where we shop, intersections, drones, etc.
Often, when I express my concerns about these “spying” incursions, I typically get a clichéd response— “I have nothing to hide.” That response to me is like fingernails running down a chalkboard.
My worry is that one day the public is going to ask the basic question, “When did we give up all our ‘rights’?” Our privacy seems to be slipping away a little at a time. Why not our “rights” in general?
I understand the potential benefits of the “cop cams,” [such as having an] actual record of an incident, minimizing court time/cases, etc. I also see the potential negative side of these “cop cams,” [such as] lost/edited recordings, NSA-type files being built, etc.
I think that a fair balance, since I believe it is moot as to whether the police departments will be wearing these cams, is that the police departments have no problem with the public “arming” themselves with similar technology and being free to record various incidents without reprisal or intimidation. Anything less than that would indicate to me a “one-sided” trust.
Maybe the recordings, made by all, should be handled initially by a panel [composed] of police, non-government citizens and the press, or some similar combinations. After all, if the goal is for accuracy or transparency or both, the involvement of an impartial “third party” might be the solution!
Lastly, where and how long these recordings are kept is an important facet worth addressing.
Marc Solomon
Signal Hil
