Discussion 6

Discussion: Safety, Rights, and Trust

When the U.S. government increased wiretapping authority in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks, some citizens felt it was a small price to pay for safety. Others felt that the ability to widen the use of technology without oversight in the interest of safety should not impede the right to privacy. The foundational issue at stake was—and still is no matter the technology—the balance of safety and trust. In this Discussion, you weigh these important, fundamental issues at play between law enforcement and citizens.

Post a response to the following questions:

• Explain how new technology can increase transparency and citizen trust in law enforcement.
• Explain how new technology can erode trust in law enforcement.
• How does new technology complicate or clarify your perception of the balance between public trust and public safety?