What expectations for privacy should individuals have in public places? That is the question being posed by a new video surveillance system in D.C. being operated by a neighborhood association, reports Peter Hermann.
The Citizens Association of Georgetown is planning on expanding its network of cameras trained to monitor residential streets in the affluent Washington D.C. neighborhood, adding "another dimension to the debate over increased surveillance by the government and others," writes Hermann. While police surveillance via camera is common, and growing, in cities across the world, "the unusual move by a community association to record
people's comings and goings is evoking fears of neighbor spying on
neighbor."
"The civic
group says that it is taking privacy concerns seriously and that its
strict guidelines ensure the cameras won't intrude on residents'
personal lives. Cameras will be mounted on private property and video
can be accessed and turned over to authorities only after a crime has
been reported to police."
"But even people comfortable with law
enforcement watching the citizenry may be wary that a block captain
could play video voyeur with the habits of neighbors."
FULL STORY: Georgetown civic group looks to surveillance cameras to combat crime

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie