The phrase “Big Brother is watching” doesn’t carry much weight in San Francisco’s public housing district. The 178 cameras set up around San Francisco housing developments have never helped solve a homicide.

It seems illogical and a waste of money to have the cameras set up if they are really just for decoration. All the cameras seem to be are a means to intimidate, rather than punish.

San Francisco has currently spent $203,603 to purchase and maintain its cameras since installing them. That money is an extreme waste for purely ornamental purposes that have not reaped any benefits since installation. That money could have been put into public school systems, or any number of worthy causes. The funds pumped into the cameras could have been used to nip the violence problem in the butt. After School programs could have used that money, which could have meant gang violence wouldn’t be as big of an issue.

Gregg Fortner said, “You can’t measure a crime that wasn’t committed, the fact is, we tried something. If it works, it works, but if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. Atleast we’re making an effort. If somebody has a better idea, give it to us.”

This is an awful attitude for the director of the Housing Authority to have. Public responsibility to help from a community is great but it is not the public’s sole job to find a way to stop crime. It’s his.

I do respect the effort made by San Francisco officials to stop crime, but this method is obviously not working and they need to figure out a policy that works quickly. Sixty-six homicides have already been committed this year and San Francisco doesn’t need anymore.
—Jasmine Redmond