Extensive Use of Cameras Makes Chicago America's Most Watched City

Chicago has organized such an extensive network of surveillance cameras that it is now being recognized as the most watched city in the United States.  The suicide last fall of Chicago's School Board President, Michael Scott, illustrates how extensive this network of cameras is.  Scott's body was found in the Chicago River.  Speculation started mounting that someone may have killed him in spite of the police initially determining that he had committed suicide.  Chicago officials pieced together video footage of the route he took to the location of his death that they were convinced that no foul play was involved in his death.  He was not followed by anybody, he didn't stop anywhere and he never picked up a passenger.  Even London, the world's most watched city, does not incorporate private cameras into its network like Chicago does.  What makes Chicago unique is that in addition to the cameras deployed by the city, they connect private cameras to the city network of cameras.  While the number of cameras in Chicago's network is unknown, it is estimated to be well in excess of 10,000 cameras.  The Chicago police claim that over 4,000 arrests have occurred by the use of cameras since 2006.  

While cameras placed in public places do not violate the law, the possibility of misuse is certainly a possibility.

For more information about the Chicago criminal defense attorneys at Legal Defenders, P.C., visit us at www.thelegaldefenders.com or call us anytime at 1-800-228-7295.