Date: August 26, 2011By: Atlanta Auto Accident Lawyers

In a highly debated move, the Atlanta Police Department is entering into agreements with private companies to use their surveillance cameras as a crime fighting tool. According to 11Alive, as a result of the city of Atlanta and the police department signing a MOU (memo of understanding) on the topic, law enforcement has been able to amass a considerable network of surveillance cameras around the city. These cameras have been used to identify crimes while they are being committed, catch perpetrators, and prove their guilt in court. 

The use of these cameras has been hailed as a groundbreaking use of technology to reduce crime, and has been compared by Public Safety Manager Col. Wayne Mock as essentially having a police officer on every corner. He commented that if a problem was spotted, an officer could respond to the scene in just two or three minutes. In addition to helping law enforcement catch criminals and produce substantial proof in court, officials believe that these cameras will actually act as a deterrent for crime. Many disagree with this assertion though, claiming that this extension of power by law enforcement is a breach of the privacy of every individual. Debbie Seagraves, the Executive Director of ACLU Georgia, has expressed concern that this would not reduce crime but instead move it to more impoverished parts of the city.

In addition to keeping an eye out for crimes, camera use has also been tapped in Atlanta and other metro areas to monitor intersections and other traffic areas. These cameras have been installed to monitor traffic, catch drivers that run red lights, and recently to catch and cite drivers that run the stop sign on school buses when they are picking students up at bus stops. Atlanta has actually received some negative press with the use of these cameras, particularly the red light intersection ones, considering 5 in 8 intersections experienced more serious impact collisions after the cameras were installed.

Though there are certainly some privacy questions in regard to this new crime fighting instrument, it is the hope that they will make crime and accidents decrease. Despite these tools, crimes are still carried out and accidents continue to happen, and in some areas at a more frequent rate. Many are injured and killed each year due to drivers running red lights, bypassing stop signs, and other negligent actions. With the expansion of camera use in the country, accident claims can benefit in court if a tape is available. If you or a family member has been in an accident, contact an experienced Atlanta auto accident attorney  to see if you are eligible to be compensated for your injuries.

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Keywords: Atlanta auto accidents, Atlanta surveillance cameras