From security video at the bank to that web cam on your lap top, cameras are everywhere. You probably don't realize how often those electronic prying eyes are on you. Big brother may not be watching you, but somebody definitely is. They have become a part of our everyday life, but try and think about how often you are caught on camera during your own day.
We asked Tiffany Glover that same question.
Glover guesses, "Maybe three times, four or five at the most."
The Harding University student felt that number was a high estimate. However, she would break that number before even getting off campus.
A stroll into the Heritage Building and two security cameras watch as she crosses the lobby. She checks her mail, and grabs lunch with a friend. Six cameras hang over head as they snack away. Five more watch her leave.
So, before even stepping off campus, she has more than doubled her guess.
Yet, the camera count isn't slowing down. The security system at a Shell station observes Tiffany filling up her gas tank for a day of errand running. Four cameras stare as she buys a soda. Numerous cameras focus in as she does a little shopping in Little Rock. The cameras, again, are there during a quick stop off at an ATM.
But it wasn't just cameras adding to the tally of video taping. Over Little Rock intersections you may spot cameras. The city uses them to better track traffic patterns. Seven of them would also track Tiffany.
Give or take a few cameras we just couldn't see ourselves, we reached 37 cameras over the course of an afternoon. That's seven times Tiffany Glover’s original guess.
The student was shocked, "Yeah, all day, all day long. Cameras I didn't even think would be around were everywhere I went."
A recent study found the average big city resident walks into the view of a camera 75 times a day. If you want to avoid cameras don't move to England where they have the most. They have one for every 14 people.
As for Tiffany Glover, this little experiment really put things into focus. "I was quite surprised and kind of scared too. But, you know it's a good thing to know security is around. But, at the same time everywhere you go you are being followed. It's kind of like big brother or something.”
And although we weren't with her at the time, she said her camera count rose even more when she went to the gym and when she went out with friends later on that night.
And get ready, because the number of cameras in our lives continues to grow. The University of Arkansas recently installed 6 new cameras for security purposes at Razorback Stadium. The city of Little Rock has also installed cameras over four intersections to help fight crime. Plus, North Little Rock is considering placing seven cameras downtown.
