Faith in Action

I’m just getting in from WEAA’s studio.  Farajii Muhammad, host of Listen Up, invited me on to talk about the resolution recently approved by the Baltimore City Council that would encourage the Baltimore City Public School System to consider placing security cameras in all public schools. 

I laid out my argument against this measure in a previous post, but tonight I was live on the air with Councilman Ken Harris who is the one who championed the bill. Great guy, but I disagree with him on this issue.

I reiterated my points.

These cameras have not proved to be effective in deterring vandalism and anti-social behavior in the 53 schools in our city that already have security cameras. 

I question investing 8 - 10 million dollars in cameras when students in Baltimore’s public schools still don’t have the basic items that they need to achieve. (Many students in Baltimore aren’t allowed to take their text books home from school)  There are also many other organizations and/or programs that have a history of success.  New Vision Youth Services, Reclaiming Our Children And Community Project, and Urban Leadership Institute to name a few.  Why not invest that money into these types of organizations?

I question another layer of social monitoring being created in my city which already has the infamous “blue light” cameras which also cost 10 million dollars, but have not made a “10 million dollar” impact in creating safe streets.  George Orwell’s 1984 is quickly becoming a reality in this increasingly totalitarian society.

On the way home from the studio, I noticed a group of teens at the corner in a circle.  A young man was screaming profanities at a young lady who was returning with vulgarity of her own.  The young man advanced toward her as if he was going to attack her.

Seeing no security cameras around to stop what was about to happen.  I pulled over - got out of my car and did what men are supposed to do.  I helped diffuse the situation….without the help of any technology or cops I might add.