Crime Cameras Move Crime, Not Deter It

In San Francisco, "crime cameras" intended to ward of crime and record any illegal activity that occurs have been shown by a recent report to do little to prevent crimes from taking place.

1 minute read

April 9, 2008, 8:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


"San Francisco's 68 controversial anti-crime cameras haven't deterred criminals from committing assaults, sex offenses or robberies - and they've only moved homicides down the block, according to a new report from UC Berkeley."

"Researchers found that nonviolent thefts dropped by 22 percent within 100 feet of the cameras, but the devices had no effect on burglaries or car theft. And they've had no effect on violent crime."

"Mayor Gavin Newsom called the report 'conclusively inconclusive' on Thursday but said he still wants to install more cameras around the city because they make residents feel safer."

'When I put the first cameras in, I said, 'This may only move people around the corner,' ' he said. 'But the community there said, 'We don't care, we want our alleyway back.' No one's actually had a camera up that they wanted torn down in the community.'"

Friday, March 21, 2008 in The San Francisco Chronicle

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