August 01, 2007   LIEBERMAN SEEKS MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF CAMERA SURVEILLANCE Amendment Requires National Strategy   WASHINGTON – Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., said Wednesday he anticipates more effective use of closed circuit televisions for security purposes if the House adopts a Senate-passed amendment on the matter. Lieberman’s amendment - accepted by voice vote as part of the FY2008 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill - would require the Department of Homeland Security to develop a national strategy for closed circuit TVs to guide the Department and state and local governments toward more effective and appropriate use of CCTV. “As repeatedly demonstrated in London, closed circuit television cameras, or CCTV, can be invaluable in tracking and apprehending terror suspects,” Lieberman said. “A national strategy for CCTV use would help officials at the federal, state and local levels use CCTV systems effectively to protect citizens, while at the same time making sure that appropriate civil liberties protections are implemented for the use of cameras and recorded data.” The amendment comes during a time of heightened awareness of the global terrorist threat following two thwarted terrorist attempts in London and Glasgow on June 30th. London has a widespread surveillance network that has been credited with helping prevent crime and catching a number of terrorists over the years. The Lieberman amendment would: Authorize a national strategy to improve the implementation of CCTV; Require an assessment of how closed circuit television and other public surveillance systems can be used most effectively to prevent, prepare for and respond to terrorist attacks; Call for best practices on camera use and data storage; Require a plan for DHS to coordinate with state and local governments and the private sector; and Require an assessment of privacy and civil liberties concerns raised by the use of CCTV and other surveillance systems. According to a July 29 ABC News/Washington Post poll, 71 percent of Americans support the increased use of surveillance cameras. -30-   ###   Printable Version   « previous Press Release next Press Release »   1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008 August 2007 Press Releases   August 29 - SENATORS SEEK KATRINA ANNIVERSARY ANALYSIS OF RECOVERY   August 24 - DODD, LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCE MORE FIRE GRANTS FOR CONNECTICUT   August 21 - LIEBERMAN POINTS TO CIA IG FINDINGS AS DEMONSTRATING VALUE OF 2004 INTELLIGENCE REFORMS   August 17 - DODD, LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCES NEARLY 2 MILLION DOLLARS IN PORT SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT GRANTS   August 17 - DODD, LIEBERMAN ANNOUNCE NEW FIRE GRANTS FOR CONNECTICUT   August 15 - LIEBERMAN APPLAUDS PIONEERING REPORT ON HOMEGROWN ISLAMIST RADICALIZATION   August 15 - LIEBERMAN, AKAKA, THOMPSON, LANGEVIN URGE DHS TO CONSIDER COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF RADIATION MONITORS   August 7 - LIEBERMAN CALLS FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AT PRIVATE PRISONS   August 3 - LIEBERMAN CITES VULNERABILITY OF TERRORIST TRACKING DATA   August 3 - GAO TO INVESTIGATE GOVERNMENT LAPSES IN TB CASE   August 2 - LIEBERMAN: BILL SHOULD RESTORE PUBLIC TRUST IN CONGRESS   August 1 - COMMITTEE APPROVES NUSSLE FOR OMB DIRECTOR   August 1 current Press Release
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510