Panoptic Dreams: Streetscape Video Surveillance in Canada

The number of Canadian cities using video surveillance systems to monitor city streets is growing. In Panoptic Dreams, Sean Hier explores how and why Canadian cities introduced street surveillance programs between 1981 and 2005 and brings to light the governance structures and privacy protection policy frameworks that made these programs possible. This book uses empirical findings to reflect critically on video surveillance policy and design structures in Canada. The original analyses will assist academics, privacy advocates, and others with community-based interests to assess the strengths and weaknesses of establishing streetscape CCTV surveillance monitoring systems.