Editorial: Eye in sky works well

Coun. Aldo Ruberto on Monday said he thinks most Thunder Bay residents would be willing to trade their right to freedom in order to feel safe in the city.

The outspoken at-large councillor was discussing the controversial eye-in-the-sky program, which has strategically placed video cameras throughout troubled areas of the city.

Ruberto is partially right, though we’re assuming he meant privacy rather than freedom.

Only conspiracy theorists and those who choose not to obey the law seem to have any issues with cameras montioring Thunder?Bay’s streets.
When they were first introduced, strict regulations were put in place to guard against the images captured being seen by anyone but authorized personnel.

The cameras do not represent a move toward a police state, as some might suggest.

They are there as a tool for law enforcement, a deterrant for the criminal minded and an added sense of security for the public at large.

More cameras would actually be welcome in the city. Police have a difficult enough time solving many of the crimes they encounter. Why not increase the likelihood they can identify a suspect, who in the heat of the moment might forget he or she is being watched by someone, with our best interests at heart.