DAVE ROSS

Good cam /bad cam

Apr 19, 2013, 7:14 AM | Updated: 6:49 pm

This Monday, April 15, 2013 photo provided by Bob Leonard shows third from left, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, who was dubbed Suspect No. 1 and second from left, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, who was dubbed Suspect No. 2 in the Boston Marathon bombings. (AP Photo)

(AP Photo)

There are two sides to living in a society that never blinks – where thousands of cameras, public and private, capture everything.

When those pictures are used to solve a crime, like Boston bombings, we’re all on board.

Suspect 1 and Suspect 2 (Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev) were chosen by investigators who took pains to determine that the two were intimately associated with the bomb.

But the flip side is what happened the day before. When various newspapers decided to publish a law enforcement email never intended for publication, showing two men in a crowd, with bright red circles drawn around their faces.

A few hours later the paper said “Authorities determined neither [man] had any information or role in Monday’s attacks at the Boston Marathon.” But since you can’t un-publish anything anymore, that picture will live forever – two innocent people splashed on the front page in connection with an outrageous attack.

This is the very thing that critics of security cameras worry about – destroying the reputations of people whose only offense was being in focus.

When the camera images are vetted before being published, and when they help law enforcement solve a crime, I think most people would say no problem.

But you start leaking the images of innocent people in association with an infamous crime – pretty soon, it won’t be just the anarchists wearing masks when they go out.

Read more:
Boston suspect’s father says he’s a ‘true angel’

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

17 hours ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

21 days ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

22 days ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

29 days ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

1 month ago

social media...

Dave Ross

Ross: Is the Wild West of social media over after Senate hearing?

The original social media business model was genius -- get ordinary people to create content for free, sell ads and give the content creators a cut.

2 months ago

Good cam /bad cam