Can my child’s school place surveillance cameras throughout the halls and classrooms?
Yes. Since the Columbine school shootings in 1999, many schools have installed surveillance cameras in an effort to keep schools safe. Cameras may be placed in areas except those where individuals would have a “reasonable expectation of privacy,” such as restrooms. Many schools are now installing cameras in the classrooms as well as hallways and common areas. There are many unanswered questions about the effectiveness and long-term impacts of video surveillance. Do cameras deter crime, or do they just move it to other areas? Does pervasive surveillance have harmful impacts on students and teachers? While some praise the cameras, others criticize video surveillance for promoting an atmosphere of mistrust and suspicion. We are not aware of conclusive statistics that prove whether or not cameras are effective in curtailing violence and other criminal behavior. If cameras are installed, we recommend that the school adopt a privacy and security policy that covers the rights and responsibili
