NCJ Number
192428
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 25 Issue: 1, 2 Dated: Spring/Fall 2001 Pages: 103-108
Date Published
2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) in France has been accepted by the government and citizens as a means of deterring and providing evidence of crime, although its effectiveness in these arenas has not been scientifically documented.
Abstract
The use of CCTV, however, has been constrained by the concern of citizens and some public officials that it can violate citizens' privacy and human rights. Consequently, CCTV use in France involves several regulatory agencies. The Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertis (CNIL) is an independent administrative institution committed to protecting citizens from public and private abuses in data collection. The Commission Departementale de VideoSurveillance (CDV) is a new form of decentralized public regulation established for the purpose of controlling CCTV use. In January 2001, the first French Citizen Conference on the use of CCTV was held, and it produced a number of proposals. One proposal was to consider alternative, less intrusive intervention modalities in negotiations with as many citizens as possible before opting for CCTV as a crime prevention measure. Further, if the CDV cannot be suppressed and replaced by CNIL control of CCTV, the CDV composition should at least be extended to include two citizens. The Conference also recommended that public opinion polls or surveys should be conducted more systematically and alternative solutions be found before installing CCTV. Finally, a phone number should be made public for citizens to call CCTV users, so they can lodge complaints regarding misuses of CCTV under the law.