Surveillance
cameras reported to have been purchased with Department of Homeland
Security funds can be seen on top of the Somerville Community Access
Television building in Union Square and, according to Gewirtz, in Davis
Square.

"(The cameras) have now apparently been recording our actions and activities on public streets, and I

feel concerned very about this," Gewirtz said at last Thursday's Board of Aldermen meeting.

Eight
other Boston area communities were provided funds for surveillance
cameras in 2008, with the Brookline Selectmen allowing the cameras for
a trial period of 12 months after a contentious vote.

Citing
information from the American Civil Liberties Union, Gewirtz suggested
such cameras could be used for racial profiling. "I want to know what
(the cameras are) recording, I want to know who

has access to
that information, what they're going to be doing with that information
(and) if people are being targeted as a result," Gewirtz said.

While
the resolution has been voted into the Public Heath and Public Safety
Committee, suggestions for finding more information included a study on
the camera's effectiveness and a series of public meetings. The
aldermen are waiting to hear from the city solicitor on whether

they can see the tapes for themselves. "From a safety point of view, cameras can be very effective,"