Video cameras are being deployed across the nation to help solve crimes, but some people are concerned about their privacy. Having cameras to monitor public areas has proven useful in situations such as identifying the Boston Marathon bombers in early 2013. There have also been problems with these cameras, as people fear they are too invasive of their privacy and have been misused by police officers in the past. Some people want to find a balance in using cameras in public so they can continue to help solve crimes, while ensuring they are not too invasive and are used correctly. There are some important benefits to having cameras in public places. In early 2013, two people detonated bombs during the Boston Marathon, killing several people and injuring hundreds. The city of Boston had cameras monitoring the streets and was able to identify the bombers within two days. (La Vigne, Nancy) The FBI managed to capture them before they could carry out another planned attack on Times Square, which could have been much, more devastating. In addition to being able to solve crimes that have already happened using cameras, we are also able to use these and other related technologies to prevent crime. The National Security Agency has reported that it has prevented several terrorist attacks since 2001 by using new technology put in place to prevent attacks. However, much of the NSA's tactics have been criticized lately, even though most people still agree that they are worth it. Using cameras is also a cost-effective way to monitor an area. Having to deploy several police officers to patrol an area can be expensive, and these officers may be out doing more important jobs. When you have a camera… middle of paper… cameras can be misused and the anti-surveillance side agrees that cameras have a role in deterring crime. However, there are still challenges that both sides will face in reaching a compromise. Cameras will most likely continue to be installed in larger cities and more prominent areas of the United States, but with growing support for privacy advocates, it appears there will be a greater push for laws and regulations to accompany them. Works CitedACLU. “What's wrong with public video surveillance?” American Civil Liberties Union. Np, 25 February 2002. Web. 10 November 2013. La Vigne, Nancy. “How Surveillance Cameras Can Help Prevent and Solve Crime.” MetroTrends Blog. Np, April 23, 2013. Web. November 10, 2013. Nieto, Marcus. "Public video surveillance: is it an effective tool for preventing crime?" California State Library. Np, June 1997. Web. 10 November. 2013.