Video Surveillance
State and local governments across the country are increasingly considering and implementing public video surveillance systems in their communities. Recent technological advances have ushered in more pervasive forms of public video surveillance that have unsettled the delicate balance between law enforcement needs and constitutional rights and values. In this area, developments in the law have not kept pace with developments in technology. In particular, pervasive camera systems can raise privacy, equal protection, and First Amendment concerns. Most decision-makers, in an effort to provide all available tools to law enforcers, have simply defaulted to minimum levels of constitutional protections.
The Constitution Project provides practical guidance to state and local governments that are considering or have already established public video surveillance systems, offering guidelines for state and local governments who choose to install them. We work directly with citizens, local and state governments, and police departments to meet the specific needs of communities.
