This is my most recent illustration for U of T's independent newspaper, The Newspaper. You can check out the article here. It addresses Toronto Police Chief Bill Blaire's recent objective to keep many of the G20 'temporary' police cameras up in downtown Toronto.
Is pushing the idea of "Big Brother is watching" the best way to deter crime?
This past weekend a horrible crime occurred in downtown Toronto and cameras captured some of the altercation. It has been reported that a young man was run-down with a vehicle and died later in hospital after an altercation at a nightclub. In this case, cameras were able to catch some of the event, although the license plate was not captured. The footage might, however, be useful as evidence if the suspect is apprehended.
In London, England there are approximately 10 000 CCTV cameras currently installed at a cost of approximately 320 million (CDN). However, it's estimated that 80% of crime goes unsolved (read more here).
Clearly this issue is complex and not going anywhere soon. Hopefully any addition of cameras will also be coupled with addressing other issues that drive crime including mental illness, poverty, drug addiction and the loss of community, family and hope, among others.
My condolences to the family and loved ones of Vincent Dang.
