4-15-2008 National:
Call it the No Child Left Unsurveilled Act.
On Thursday, federal lawmakers will hold a hearing on a proposal to let public schools use millions in federal grants to blanket the halls of learning with surveillance cameras.
Those grants have typically been used to install metal detectors, lights and locks, as well as paying for security training for students and employees.
The bill adds closed circuit surveillance cameras to the list of items eligible for Justice Department Safe School grants, ups the funding to from $30 million annually to $50 million and increases the feds share of any outlays to 80%, up from the current 50-50 split.
In what seems a plain attempt to arise the ire of Bruce Schneier, the bill would bar schools from using the money for actually assessing what the threats and weaknesses to the school are.
That eligible item is replaced in the bill by tip lines for reporting dangerous students. New Jersey congressman Steve Rothman (D) introduced the School Safety Enhancements Act last May, and the measure has 53 co-sponsors.
The House Judiciary committee's Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security subcommittee will hold a hearing on the school surveillance bill and two other bills Thursday at 10 a.m. EST.
A spokeswoman for Rep. Rothman was not immediately available for comment.
Photo: Rachael Voorhees
See Also:
California Police Camera Surveillance Increasing
Surveillance Shot of Hollywood Filmmaker Sparks Movie about Spycams
Chicago Crime Cams Nab Beer Drinker As Reminder of Big Brother System
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Car Bomb Defused in London
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