– Opinion –

Did you notice that there’s a brand new player in the “spying-on-citizens” environment in Columbia?

The use of TrapWire has angered citizens around the world. watchingfrogsboil

Did you notice the part on the agenda from Monday night’s Borough Council meeting that reads:

“Consider approval of App-Tech (sic) Proposal of 7/31/12 to install two new surveillance cameras with support equipment and tying into the Borough’s System to surveil Locust Street Park with all expenses paid by the Old Columbia Public Grounds Company, Inc. Subject to Solicitor approval of an agreement drafted by the Borough Solicitor for execution between the Borough and Old Columbia Public Grounds Company, Inc.”

It appears that the “dogs of spying” have been turned loose in Columbia … the town with more spy cameras than any municipality in Lancaster County – except the City of Lancaster. In the Borough of Columbia spring, 2011 newsletter, the Borough crowed, “Security cameras have been placed at stategic locations for safety and security.”

How unsafe and insecure is the Locust Street Park?

It appears that this precedent sets the tone that any organization can “partner” with the municipality to begin to spy on citizens, visitors, passers-through and, well, everyone.

We have asked these questions before:

• Specifically, who has access to the digital files captured by the spy cameras?
• Where are the files retained?
• How long are the files retained?

Now we wonder:

• Will the “sponsoring agencies or people” who pay “all expenses” to install spy cameras have access to the digital files, too?
• We wonder whether there will be or have been “spy camera” files watching parties? There have been allegations of references and instances of access to the files before.

An article from The Conversation, mirrors these questions about the disintegration and eradication of citizen rights of privacy, with this statement: “Furthermore, until the government can guarantee the privacy and security of Australians on the net there should be a moratorium on the introduction of intelligent networked surveillance systems such as TrapWire.”

We think residents, visitors and guests in Columbia have the right to know who is watching the files collected from the increasing number of spy cameras … and why?

We question whether residents, visitors and guests in Columbia want their movements and actions recorded to be viewed as prurient entertainment for unknown viewers in closed rooms?

Where is the accountability?