ABSTRACT
The use of surveillance cameras is a phenomenon of global dimensions (Heilmann 2008; Koskela 2006). However, the particular role and impact of the cameras varies depending on individual historic and social contexts. In the specific case of Latin America, the installation of such cameras is linked to the call for ‘war against crime’, and in general the use of these technologies has had widespread social backing (Barreto and Barreiro 2010). The inhabitants of Latin American cities do not tend to feel threatened by the increased presence of cameras in the streets, notably in financial and commercial districts (Caldeira 2000); on the contrary, there exists a great pressure for government authorities to install such equipment (Mattelart 2007). In Latin America, the increased presence of cameras in urban space is underpinned by ‘zero tolerance’ public security policies introduced in the last ten years. The goal of such policies has been to reduce the incidence of crime and violence in the cities of the region, and to reduce feelings of insecurity in large sections of the population. The most commonly used surveillance techniques are surveillance cameras. The most important cities of Latin America now feature these cameras; public and private buildings have extended their use, allowing control over the access to these buildings.
