Press Release: ACLU opposes City surveillance camera plans, call it 'highly instrusive'

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Contact: James Updegraff 916/421-5951 or Press Office 916/996-9170 www.aclusac.org

Proposed Sacramento surveillance camera program
‘highly intrusive,’ won’t work, charges ACLU chapter;
urges City Council, Mayor to hold open public hearings

SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento County chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union
today said it was “strongly” opposed to plans to install 32 surveillance cameras
and four mobile surveillance trailers by the City of Sacramento because it would
be “highly intrusive” to the privacy and free speech rights of citizens.

In a letter (available upon request) to Mayor Kevin Johnson, the ACLU said the
program would waste funds that could be used on “more effective crime prevention
measures,” citing several studies showing that cameras fail to deter crime.

“These sophisticated cameras can track who you are, where you are going, and
what you are doing - recording the sign you are carrying at peaceful
demonstrations, the book you are reading in the park, and who you are hugging
goodbye at the train station,” said the letter signed by James Updegraff,
chair of the Board of Directors for ACLU/Sacramento .

Updegraff urged the Sacramento City Council to hold public hearings before
accepting the grant that would enable the city to install the cameras.

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