IS “BIG BROTHER” STILL WATCHING YOU?

An Opinion By Jan Bergemann

Published August 18, 2026

The answer is: “YES!”  -- and even more so than George Orwell predicted in his book “1984”. Let’s face it: There are PROS and CONS.

The surveillance cameras our government has installed almost everywhere have recently gotten a lot of backlash. The reason for the complaints by many citizens: ABUSE!

But in all reality about everything that is being used for any purpose is being abused. Does it mean we should stop using it?

Traffic surveillance cameras have a purpose, especially when being used to fight crime or finding the guilty parties after crime was committed.

But the fight over surveillance cameras has been fought in courts, especially in community associations. Owners should have the right to use these cameras, especially so-called doorbell cameras. They can scare away criminals, allows you to see who is at your door before opening it and take pictures of folks stealing your packages delivered to you by Amazon, Wal-Mart or others.

These cameras serve a good purpose, as long as they are not being used to spy on your neighbor next door or across the street.

Privacy is important and should always be protected and these cameras should only be used for the purpose intended: PREVENTING or FIGHTING CRIME!

What do you think about surveillance cameras and doorbell cameras?