Langley School District

Should surveillance cameras be put on school buses?

This is a question that the Langley School District is contemplating; they've been going through all the pros and cons, trying to come up with a verdict. Although they propose it would:

• Enhance safety
• Deter bad behaviour
• Help address driver problems

there is also a major controversy whether it violates the students privacy rights or not. Although it can be legally debatable I personally feel that it doesn't. People do have the right to privacy, however in school under the education act, things can get a little dicey. Because the school buses belong to the school district, those too get thrown into the equation.

I'd also like to point out that this article left me a bit confused, mainly because Josh Patterson with the BC Civil Liberties Association states that putting surveillance cameras is a violation of students privacy, however immediately after he agrees that students don't have absolute privacy while at school, and he just doesn't like the generalized surveillance. So i'm under the impression that hes being biased in this legal matter.

Personally I see no harm in putting surveillance cameras on school buses, because quite frankly, they already have! They're on many school buses already, and so far there has been no outcry against them until now. Many people argue that they don't want to be watched wherever they go, but the matter of fact is they won't. On school buses, it's one thing, because students fear their natural behaviour might be exposed, or something bad will be caught on tape etc, but if students have nothing to hide, then why argue against the school bus cameras? It's not like if you act silly on tape, they're gunna release it to the public, video footage will only be used to increase the safety of the students, and prevent any bad behaviour from happening really. Also, in school there are video cameras everywhere, however they are not used to constantly monitor the staff and students, they are only used to look back upon for evidence of immoral or illegal behaviour.

In conclusion, I'd like to point out that if the students really are against video surveillance on school buses, then why not walk to school, ride a bike or carpool where you won't be "watched like a hawk"?

If you would like to read the article, here is the link: http://www.news1130.com/2013/10/30/langley-school-district-considers-cameras-on-full-bus-fleet/