Opinion Board | Fighting crime with cameras

The City of Brotherly Love has a less savoury nickname: Killadelphia.

Offensive, but well-earned.

Crime in Philadelphia is out of control. The homicide rate is approaching record-breaking levels as usual and crime abounds around the perimeters of campus.

In September, protestors marched to City Hall demanding that the city do something.

With Mayor Street's announcement Monday that the city will be placing 250 surveillance cameras primarily in West Philadelphia, the city has answered that call.

Some may be concerned both about the $10-million price tag and the possible infringement on civil liberties. As for civil liberties, it's true that the city must be careful not to abuse their use of the cameras. Standards should be in place to avoid any legal wrongdoing.

But as far as cost goes, if the cameras can deter even one murder, they'll have more than paid for themselves. And they will save lives. According to a recent Justice Department study, surveillance cameras are quite effective in preventing both premeditated offenses as well as spontaneous violent crimes.

Unsurprisingly, people are less likely to commit crimes when they are being filmed, as this tends to heighten the likelihood of apprehension.

London, far from a police state, is swimming in surveillance cameras and enjoys a far lower crime rate than metropolitan cities in America.

Not much is expected from lame-duck politicians, so credit to John Street for pursuing and implementing this initiative. Surveillance cameras won't solve Philly's crime problems, but it's a good start.

Maybe we'll even lose that stupid nickname

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