Giving law enforcement blanket powers is never good or advisable. Our hallowed forefathers who we read about in high school history class were very clear on this issue. Because they had tasted the tyranny of the absolute power of the British Crown, they gave us safeguards in our Constitution and spoke out loudly about the dangers of allowing our institutions too much power and too little accountability. Those who do not heed (and read) the lessons of history are doomed to repeat it.

It seems pretty insane that the city is planning on spending $615,000 on security cameras of extremely dubious value (according to all the studies) in a time of such extreme budget constraints. Although federal funds come with constraints it is my understanding that the city is not locked into the camera scheme and could use the funds for other security and policing issues. How about some neighborhood foot patrols again, especially in mid-town where it is vitally important to our local economy that people feel safe walking around at night?