Please note that the following is written from the perspective of the co-chair of Brookline PAX.
Speaking of our freedom traditions, as you may know the Selectmen held a hearing Tues., and announced they’d resume it next Tues., Dec. 2 (time to be announced, (see http://www.brooklinema.gov/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1#) on the Police proposal to run a network of high quality surveillance cameras that will watch and videotape everyone in Coolidge Corner, Washington Sq., Brookline Village, and other places 24/7.
For more details, see http://www.brooklinema.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=481:public-hearing-police-department-video-camera-monitoring-system&catid=1:latest&Itemid=179.
We commend Chief O’Leary for recommending, and the selectmen for holding, a public hearing; because we believe this proposal raises issues of profound concern to the community. See in general http://www.wickedlocal.com/brookline/news/opinions for last week’s TAB editorial, “Cameras raise serious questions” and various Letters to the Editor; and the op-ed column by PAX (Frank) & ACLU (Sarah Wunsch),http://www.wickedlocal.com/brookline/news/lifestyle/columnists/x541358905/Opinion-Police-cameras-in-neighborhoods-Serious-questions-need-answers For example, even aside from the privacy issue, there are issues as to both the public safety benefits and the fiscal issues, e.g. though initially using Homeland Security money, it will require 24/7 Police monitoring manpower & projected annual expense of $15k (which seems to ignore the manpower issue).
In a lighter vein, see also the 2 attached, David Horsey & The Onion, “Bill Of Rights Pared Down to 6,” e.g.:
Ashcroft noted that recent FBI efforts to conduct investigations into “unusual activities” were severely hampered by the old Fourth Amendment. “The Bill of Rights was written more than 200 years ago, long before anyone could even fathom the existence of wiretapping technology or surveillance cameras,” Ashcroft said. “Yet through a bizarre fluke, it was still somehow worded in such a way as to restrict use of these devices. Clearly, it had to go before it could do more serious damage in the future.”
We hope you will express your concerns to the selectmen; but in any event we ask you to write back to the above three of us, especially to Andrew Fischer, AFischer@jasonandfischer.com (who will compile the list), expressing whether you wish to endorse (either adding your name or else merely telling us your name but remaining anonymous) the following simple statement:
“We are very concerned about the video surveillance proposal, which presents various & serious risks to our privacy; and we believe much more community debate is needed as to (a) the huge privacy ramifications and (b) the actual & likely benefits. In fact, we believe Town Meeting is the appropriate forum to debate a major issue such as this, and to decide whether to proceed with it. It is a fundamental principle of a republic that, barring an imminent public safety emergency, such a value judgment should be debated and decided by the legislative branch.”
If you endorse it by replying, esp. to ANDREW, please (A) identify your name & address; (B) say whether you are a TMM or other elected official; and (C) tell him if you prefer to remain un-named or anonymous (otherwise, if we eventually release a list, we shall name you as an endorsee). Comments are apparently welcome until next week.
PS: As to the community’s role in setting police priorities, compare the “1987 Report on Police & Community Relations”, written by myself & Jeffrey Allen, later adopted by unanimous vote of the Board of Selectmen (emphasis now added):
… Massachusetts law provides two alternatives for municipalities, a “strong chief” and a “weak chief” structure. By vote of Town Meeting on March 15, 1921, Brookline adopted the latter (M.G.L. c. 41, sec. 97), mandating that “the Selectmen may make suitable regulations governing the police department and the officers thereof” — as opposed to the former (sec. 97A) wherein a chief makes regulations, subject only to approval by the Selectmen. We have, and wish to have, a Chief who is “strong” in many ways, e.g., energy, professionalism, managerial and administrative initiative; but by law it is the Board of Selectmen who should make significant policy decisions. It is important that the Selectmen not meddle in the daily administrative and managerial activities of the Department. For “policy” issues, it is important not only that the Selectmen invite, receive, and accord some deference to the advice of the Chief, but also that the community have an opportunity to provide input. Because of the sensitivity of police responsibilities, community acceptance and confidence can be enhanced if the public has an opportunity to be heard. Law enforcement in America is premised on the theory that police derive their authority from, and are part of, the people. Not only should community input be institutionalized, but police policies and activities must be explained to the public. The Board of Selectmen and the Police Department must earn the trust and support of the community through, in part, positive and open communication to citizens directly and through the media. For police departments, relations with the public are much more significant than everyday connotations of the term “public relations”…
Brookline is blessed with an official 24-member body that bears some pretty good representative-ness to the views of the community. Many issues seem significant enough that it’s the Town Meeting that should decide them, and often legally must. In recent years, for example, TM has re-taken its power to make Transportation policies in a Home Rule bill; has successfully urged a permit system instead of indiscriminately ticketing residents for parking near their homes for 2 hours; declaring sanctuary status for undocumented immigrants; and just this month urged that police step up issuance of warnings and citations for not shoveling one’s sidewalk. Isn’t video surveillance equally important? Would a Mayor do this w/o the approval of a City Council?
Thanks for your attention,
Marty Rosenthal,
Co-chair (with Frank Farlow), Brookline PAX [please see http://www.brooklinepax.org
