Cities in a Frenzy To Install Security Cameras After Boston Bombing

The voyeurs win

A pedestrian who strolls through Boston's Financial District, an area of about 40 city blocks, can be seen by at least 233 private and public cameras.

In the aftermath of the terrorist bombing there on April 15, Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis wants even more cameras to boost street-level surveillance, said spokeswoman Cheryl Fiandaca. Other cities, too, now may be spurred to expand their systems, which security specialists said will fuel sales growth in the $3.2 billion video surveillance industry.

Such actions increase tensions between law enforcement officials and privacy advocates, who say they worry about Big Brother intrusions into people's legal activities. The American Civil Liberties Union in San Francisco raised such concerns after Police Chief Greg Suhr cited Boston last week in saying he wants additional cameras for downtown Market Street to give police a better look during parades and other public events.