Tampa's Facial Recognition in Public Safety: An Analysis

The assignment explores the implementation of facial recognition cameras by the Tampa Police Department to enhance public safety and deter crime. It discusses the positive impact of these measures, such as reducing crime opportunities and increasing safety at night. The essay addresses concerns about privacy invasion but argues that it is comparable to traditional police surveillance. The author suggests enhancing transparency regarding camera use to gain better public acceptance. Ultimately, with assurances from authorities on minimizing false arrests, facial recognition technology could effectively reduce crime rates in the area.

Running head: PHYSICAL SECURITY
Physical Security
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1PHYSICAL SECURITY
Tampa Scans the Faces in its Crowds for Criminals
The article states that the Tampa Police Department has facilitated the downtown district
with security cameras to get hold of criminal suspects and deter crime. In my opinion, this is a
positive measure on part of the Police Department as it aims at deterring crimes and bring down
the rate of crime opportunities in that area. As Gil Rizzo, the account representative agrees with
this initiative taken by the police department as it is safer at nights, in particular, when there have
crime opportunities are generally high. This is because there have been instances where women
have been mugged and robbed or cases of shoplifting (Canedy, 2018).
However, if we consider the concern expressed by Jason Skinner that the security
cameras amounts to invasion of privacy, I believe that it does not really leads to an invasion of
privacy as it is equivalent to the surveillance conducted by any cop walking around the a place
with a mug shot. I would rather agree with Jill Wax who hopes that the security cameras become
permanent fixture like the streetlights (Canedy, 2018).
However, only if the police department makes appropriate arrangements to convey the
people about the purpose of such settings and enhance the visibility of the camera signs, it might
have a better response. Now, given the assurance by the Police department and the manufacture
regarding the less chances of false arrest based on such facial scanning, I believe that this system
would act as an effective deterrence for the criminals, eventually, causing a decline in the crime
opportunity rates in the area.

2PHYSICAL SECURITY
Reference List
Canedy, D. (2018). Tampa Scans the Faces in Its Crowds for Criminals. Nytimes.com. Retrieved
15 January 2018, from http://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/04/us/tampa-scans-the-faces-in-its-
crowds-for-criminals.html