Opposition Intensifies Against Public Surveillance In Arcata

The photograph is a close-up of one of two cameras mounted on the Arcata Bank of America building adjacent to the Arcata plaza. This camera and another is aimed at the plaza. According to Assistant Police Chief Mendosa, the cameras are non-operable and were placed there to judge public reaction to the use of surveillance cameras by the Arcata Police Department. Northern Californians Against Monitoring (NOCAM) has been formed to fight public surveillance in Humboldt county. A petition in opposition to the cameras already has 400 signatures in this small northern California town, home to many progressives and activist. Coincidentally, seven cameras have appeared at two intersections on the southern route into the city center five blocks from the plaza. The city council will hear comments about surveillance from citizens during their next council meeting on Wednesday, September 5.