The False Allure of Security Technologies

摘要: THE SECURITY INDUSTRY TRADE MAGAZINE, AMERICAN SCHOOLAND UNIVERSITY, BEGAN an article about school safety with the following real-life scenario (Kennedy, 2001): As students were enjoying recess on playground in Plano Independent School District, Texas, a suspicious man sitting parked Cadillac tried to lure some of children over car. When teacher duty saw what was happening and began approach car, drove off. That might have been end incident, except that carrying two-way radio. She called back office, someone immediately 911. A few minutes later, custody. "He caught before he got out neighborhood," says Ken Bangs, director police, security, student for Piano district. "Did we dodge bullet? I believe did." For it more proof district's increasing use radios paying dividends safer campuses, secure staff. "Having these makes ton difference," Bangs. Like many articles appear American University, Security Technology Design, Management, other trade magazines security industry, technology is described as boon safety, newest advances improvements are regularly featured represented advertisements magazines. In addition radios, technologies include metal detectors, scanners, close-circuit televisions (CCTVs), iris recognition systems, forms surveillance, detection, access control, biometric equipment. Many items depend (such digitalized networks lasers) developed by military industry scientists beginning 1940s primarily police national purposes during Cold War. Today, prevalence high schools Devine (1996) "techno-security" example how developments altered our public spaces, institutions, homes. case schools, techno-security epitomizes fear violence well legal liability convinces district administrators worth expenditures. However, also inroads businesses made market. Peter Blouvelt, executive National Alliance Sate Schools, remarked vendors: "Schools become major market guys. The proliferation equipment has taken off" (cited Light, 2002: 3). Schools just one people's increased acceptance United States. Government buildings, stores, offices, workplaces, recreation areas, streets, homes outfitted CCTVs, equipment, not mention alarms, locks, intercoms. At conference attended part research this article, spokesperson corporation told participants that, according research, New York City individual likely be camera seven times each day without knowing it; London, number double that. Although often explained need wanton crime, allure humans' fascination gadgets partly explain why rapidly becoming fixture even most idyllic areas. though proponents warn against their misuse, they still advanced essential any overall plan (Townley Martinez, 1995; Kosar Ahmed, 2000; Trump, 1999; Fickes, 2000). …