I get a little nervous when government, especially local governments start suggesting video monitoring in public spaces outdoors;
It’s a reoccurring crime in Sioux Falls, vandals damaging art on the Sioux Falls SculptureWalk.
That’s why Sioux Falls’ IT manager says the city is looking at monitoring the area through video cameras.
“So if somebody is starting to climb onto a sculpture, that video technology can alert a staff member. Then somebody can go check it out,” IT Manager Jon Klemme said.
Trust me, not a fan of art vandals, but when you put expensive bronzes in public spaces, things can happen, that is why they are insured. Besides, I think the expense to taxpayers to protect art that is insured with video monitoring isn’t worth it. I also find it ironic that the city would consider video monitoring art when they said it is too expensive to store data for police to have body cameras? Let’s talk about priorities.
The city has also added several traffic signals that move cars more safely and quickly using artificial intelligence.
As I have told people, I haven’t noticed a difference on Minnesota Avenue with traffic flow, so not sure how well it is working. What they do need to fix is the light at 26th and Cliff that is timed goofy all the time, and while they are at it fix the roller coaster ride over the RR tracks in front of Avera on Cliff. Quite possibly one of the worst street repair jobs I have seen in the city.
How can we also forget the UNCONSITUTIONAL red light cameras that had to be taken down?
Think about all of the street lights in Sioux Falls. To save money and electricity, those lights could be turned off at night until technology senses movement nearby.
Now that is a good idea, I much prefer movement detectors over video monitoring.
Culbertson says people are often concerned when a city starts collecting more data, so city officials should make sure citizens are comfortable with the technology before it’s rolled out.
In reality, this should really be dictated by city ordinance and voted on by the citizens through the Charter Revision Commission and a city election. We must take government monitoring seriously. They already snoop in our yards and Bruce has even caught them digging around his junk pile during Project NICE. We pay city employees to SERVICE us, NOT SNOOP on us. If you are concerned about the well being of your private property that is the responsibility of the individual, NOT the city.
*You know what would be really fun, live web feed cameras installed in the City Center Admin building so we can watch city employees work 🙂