1. Why are some lawmakers calling for increased government camera surveillance in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks in Boston?

2. What concerns do privacy advocates have about increasing the number of surveillance cameras in public areas?

3. What observation did Bill Bratton, former chief of Los Angeles, Boston and NYC police departments make about surveillance cameras?

4. a) How many surveillance cameras does the city of New York currently have installed throughout the city?
b) If you live and/or work in New York (or any large city), or travel there as a tourist, chances are you are on camera throughout the day. How do you feel about this: ambivalent, apathetic, greatly concerned? Would the knowledge that there are security cameras everywhere make you feel more safe, uncomfortable that you are being watched, or unconcerned ("I don't break the law, so who cares if they have me on camera everywhere I go?") Explain your answer.

5. It has been reported that the FBI had been warned about terrorist Tamerlan Tsarnaev. Although they knew he followed radical Islamic preachers, they found no evidence at the time that he was involved in any domestic or foreign terrorism activity. Should the law be changed to address the potential threat posed by followers of radical Islam who promote jihad/terrorist activities? Explain your answer.

6. Consider the following questions about the installation of surveillance cameras throughout cities (and maybe even your town). Explain your answer to each question:

1. Who will be watching/monitoring all of these cameras?
2. How much will it cost? Does the cost matter? (Remember it comes from the taxes we pay.)
3. Are law enforcement cameras necessary in an era when most civilians record the things happening around them?
4. Will terrorist attacks be prevented by surveillance cameras, or or is it necessary to have them if only to assist law enforcement in capturing terrorists after an attack?
5. Does the prevention of even one death from the use of surveillance cameras make the loss of our privacy worth it?