Safety without surveillance

The University must be up front with students about the cameras and their intentions. Although security cameras could serve a legitimate purpose in both preventing and solving crime on campus, it is important to recognize that the presence of cameras on campus will raise privacy issues among students who question the true motivation behind the devices.

The first week of the fall semester has brought a slew of safety concerns—both new and old, both on campus and off. From the Duke University Police Department’s extended jurisdiction in the areas surrounding East Campus to complaints about SafeRides to an alleged armed robbery on Central last weekend, security issues seem to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, and rightfully so. Now, the University has plans to install security cameras at the entrances of several building and residence halls on campus.

It is certainly reassuring to see the University addressing safety, and security cameras could do a lot to help improve safety conditions on campus. The presence of cameras, however, raises privacy issues, and some students are questioning the true motivation behind the devices.

On one hand, security cameras will serve a legitimate purpose in both preventing and solving crime. DUPD officers will have the ability to view a live feed from the cameras and may be able to respond to crimes in progress. After a crime is committed, the cameras can be used to create descriptions and identify suspects. Also, the mere presence of cameras on campus will be a deterrent to crime if people are aware that they are being watched. Viewed in this light, a slight loss of privacy may be a small price to pay for potential safety benefits.

On the other hand, students fear that although improved security is the primary stated purpose of the cameras, they may indeed be used to police underage drinking or to watch over fraternities or selective living groups on campus. Students value their privacy and are apprehensive about the “Big Brother” aspect of the cameras—and these concerns are also valid. But when the two issues, safety and privacy, are weighed against one another, safety should come out on top.

Also, when tailoring their complaints, students should consider the manner in which the University has approached issues like this in the past. First off, there are already a number of cameras located around campus, including outside Randolph Dormitory, and these cameras have never presented a problem.

In the past the University has tended to treat students as adults, adopting the philosophy that students can make decisions as adults and also make mistakes and accept consequences as adults. The University traditionally has not gone out of its way to interfere with individual students’ choices. There is no reason to believe that the security cameras will be used for anything other than their stated purpose—improving safety on campus.

That said, the University should be up front with students about the cameras and their intentions. Since the issue directly affects students, and since students have raised legitimate concerns, the University should consult students before moving forward with the plan. Although the University does not need to get student approval to install the cameras, discussing the plan with students would be a welcomed gesture. When the plan does come to fruition, the University should not deviate from its clearly stated purpose. This way the University can improve safety without sacrificing students’ privacy concerns.