Patch asked readers if cameras made them feel safe.

Readers Comments

ralahinn1: No

k harris: no

Sean Tully: I don't feel particularly unsafe under normal circumstances, but if I am in a rough part of town, knowing cameras are around does not make me feel any safer. But, having said that, I do believe that cameras are contributing to a lowering of crime.

Brandon: no, they make me feel spied on.

baltochick: Nope. Watched yes, but not safer. And I don't believe they're an actual deterrent. Sure the crime on the corner one is pointed at "stops"....and then moves down the block. Plastering so called "unsafe" neighborhoods (read lower income) with cameras is demoralizing.

Christian: I think that this is a "feel good" measure with little benefits to the community in that more police added to the force would be a better resolution of the crime problems in this city. Who is going to monitor all these cameras? In our community we had these cameras placed on Greenmount Avenue and most were inoperable and we found out that no one was monitoring them. Creating a data base that does not function properly is another colossal waste of money and does not guarantee any success in the elimination of crime. However old fashioned policing in the streets of Baltimore, with the police actually walking their beat will make it a safer city. The police will get to know the community and the community will get to know the police and in time they will both cooperate with each other. This data base is just another level to be administered and one that could fail where police walking in the streets of the city is a way to get to know the neighborhood and respects the privacy of our residents.

Via Facebook:

Casey Jenkins The security cameras on Greenmount Ave haven't worked in the past six years and they were paid for by our special benefits district tax. Two years ago there was a murder on the corner of 33rd and Greenmount the camera was pointed at the exact location of the murder but the damn camera didn't work now you tell me are we safer with cameras

Via Twitter:

tffnyjones:  no, they make me think there might be a better chance of catching the criminal after the fact.

ekapus: nope, because they're probably not being monitored.

Side_Alpha: not really a right to carry state would make everyone safer! Criminals don't buy guns legally

CitywideMSVP: Not at all!