On CCTV issue, it is hard to takes sides, either the crime prevention or the invasion of privacy. (image: Kobizmedia)
SEOUL, Korea, April 8 (Korea Bizwire) – While there are continuous callings for installing closed-circuit TVs in residential areas for fear of crimes, others want existing ones removed complaining of invasion of privacy. What should authorities do?In every district office in Seoul, there are mounting appeals for installation or removal of CCTVs.
In case of Songpa District, there have been some 260 cases of civil complaints wanting to set up new video cameras in spite of the fact that there are already 515 surveillance cameras within the district. For Gangnam District, there have been some 600 callings for installing CCTVs and the district office set up 36 new ones last year.
An official at Seodaemun District office said, “When violent crimes happen in nearby neighbors, there are more civil complaints for CCTVs.”
However, it is almost impossible for the district offices to accommodate all the complaints for CCTVs because of the cost, on average 15-20 million won (US$14,000-19,000) per camera. Especially in case of recently introduced CCTV models that can identify cars’ license plates, it costs more than 40 million won to set up one.
As all neighborhoods ask for closed-circuit TVs in their areas, how many CCTVs there are in an area even affects housing prices. A real estate broker said, “In case of Gangnam District where people are much concerned about crime prevention, they prefer houses with CCTVs nearby.”
In response to the proliferation of CCTV requests, most district offices take cautious processes by consulting with the police and local residents to decide the final places.
However, other civil complaints asking the removal of the CCTVs to other places arguing that they are infringing on their private lives embarrass the public officers, too. As it also costs as much to move once-installed CCTVs to other locations, they sometimes are trapped in a double bind.
The district offices try to meet the petitioners but it is not easy to settle because it is hard to takes sides, either the crime prevention or the invasion of privacy.
An official at Songpa District office said, “Upon setting up a CCTV for a petitioner who is much worried about crimes, the next-door petitioner grumbles at the CCTV complaining of the breach of privacy. It’s hardest thing to deal with the CCTV. It’s a dilemma.”
Written by John Choi (johnchoi@koreabizwire.com)
Policies & Law (Follow us @Policynews_Korea)
