ACLU Issues Report on the Proliferation of Video Surveillance Systems in California

California cities are moving quickly to install video surveillance cameras on public streets and plazas without regulations, with little or no public debate, and without an evaluation of their effectiveness.  Under the Watchful Eye, a new report issued by the California ACLU affiliates,  examines the justifications for and consequences of this dramatic expansion in government video surveillance of public space at the local level.

This report explains in detail the joint assessment of the three California ACLU affiliates on government-funded video surveillance cameras and the current state of video surveillance in California.  Part I looks at the threat posed by public video surveillance to privacy and other civil liberties.  Part II examines law enforcement justifications for video surveillance programs and an evaluation of these programs’ effectiveness.  Part III reviews the findings from our public records survey of California cities.  Part IV offers policy recommendations.

Written by Mark Schlosberg and Nicole A. Ozer of the ACLU of Northern California. 

Issued jointly by the ACLU of Northern California, the ACLU of Southern California, and the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Download the Report (.pdf)
Download the Executive Summary (.pdf)
View the Executive Summary (.html)