Big Brother is Watching You, Atlanta!

[Photo from visibility911.com]

This blog is written by a former federal prosecutor.  I was an AUSA for over 20 years.  Although presently, I am an Augusta, Georgia criminal defense lawyer, I have spent much of my career fighting for crime victims and for law and order.  However, in my opinion, not everything done in the name of law enforcement is good.  And I will continue to take a stand, in this blog, against over-reaching by the police, politicians, or prosecutors, and against bad laws or practices, which erode our right to privacy or freedoms.

For instance, did you read news reports, earlier this week, that the Atlanta City Council has approved funding for a "video integration center."  This proposed center, a $2.6 million recipient of grants from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, will coordinate the watchful eyes of public and private security cameras around Atlanta.  The camera network will purportedly watch for "suspicious behavior" and help deploy police officers where needed.  That idea sounds good.

However, have you ever wondered whether such cameras could also be used to track the movements of law-abiding citizens?  Or could cameras be used to follow the whereabouts of members of opposition political parties?  Look, my point is that we, as citizens of a free nation, must constantly be alert to any efforts which threaten our shrinking right to privacy.  Simply put, security and privacy rights should both be considered. 

What do you think?