Published since 2005. San Francisco is a city that belongs to the people of the world. Hence this blog has a global focus. The name "Sam Spade's San Francisco" refers to an exciting era in the City's history, the time of Dashiell Hammett's fictional gumshoe and San Francisco character, Sam Spade. My name is Tom Dunn and I edit the blog. I'm not as exciting as Sam Spade, but I am definitely a San Francisco character.Contact or on Twitter -- Search blog below.
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Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Police Video Surveillance to Increase
On January 17th, the San Francisco Police Commission will vote on whether to install video surveillance cameras at 8 new locations throughout San Francisco. The Commission originally considered this issue in November, but a subsequent hearing is being held due to lack of proper notice at the proposed camera locations.
The police department is of the opinion that surveillance cameras are very effective in high-crime areas. I agree and I would like to see surveillance cameras aimed at every block in the Bayview where a corner liquor store exists and see more cameras at notoriously high crime areas in the Western Addition, at the two main Mission District heroin corners - 24th and Mission and 16th and Mission, in the Tenderloin and along that infamous stretch of Sixth Street between Market and Harrison. Arrests would be up and crime would be down if we did so, but would we be opening a Pandora's Box of even greater, more serious problems?
In a letter to the City over the signatures of Nicole Ozer, ACLU Nor-Cal Technology and Civil Liberties Policy Director; Kurt Opsahl, Staff Attorney, Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and Chris Hoofnagle, Senior Counsel, EFF West Coast, some very serious issues were raised.
It seems that the Earthlink / Google proposal seeks to create a surveillance infrastructure for San Francisco by allowing greater deployment of video cameras and automated enforcement tools, such as parking meters.
Additionally, Both Earthlink and Google reserve the ability to sell user information for the free City-wide Wi-Fi scheme to others based on an opt-out model. Under such a plan, the company will by default sell information unless the user takes affirmative steps to prevent the sale. While this particular issue is not on the police commission table for discussion, there is a link between increased video surveillance and the Earthlink / Google proposal. A sticky web is being developed that may trap much more than the intended prey.
These are serious issues that will have a direct impact on every San Franciscan. There is more at stake than we may realize.
Plan to attend the Police Commission meeting!
WHAT:Police Commission Meeting
WHERE:San Francisco City Hall, Room 400 WHEN:Wednesday, January 17th @ 5:30 PM
For more information or to RSVP that you will be attending the meeting please contact the San Francisco office of the ACLU by sending an email to:
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