> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Security cameras keep us safe
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/security-cameras-keep-us-safe-editor/
- Published: 2006-06-05T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T18:15:11.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Marilyn Brennan Santa Monica*

Regarding the article, “Police cameras nearly ready for their close-ups” (SMDP, May 18, page 1) with something like this, there are bound to be pros and cons. No one wants their privacy invaded, or the film used for purposes other than catching criminals and/or terrorists.

However, I can’t imagine being embarrassed by anything I would do on the public streets that may be caught on camera.

In the gambling casinos, there are security cameras to catch cheaters and thieves and no one moans about their loss of privacy in that situation.

Will the cameras catch terrorists like the 9/11 terrorists? I don’t know — but the cameras will for sure help protect us from our own local terrorists — the druggies who threaten, intimidate, act out, rob and hurt people on our streets in order to support their habits.

I also think of the incredibly heartbreaking pictures of that beast taking that beautiful little girl off of a public street. He later raped and killed her. Without that security camera would that man ever have been caught? Or the Las Vegas security camera that showed the killer following the little girl into the ladies room where the sweet child thought she’d be safe but where she was raped and killed. Without that security camera, would that unspeakable pervert have been caught? I’d give up a little privacy in exchange for that.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 5, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/060506.pdf?ref=smdp.com)