INSIDE EDITION's Lisa Guerrero reports on the proliferation of surveillance cameras in large cities that helped aide the manhunt of suspected criminals like the Boston bombing suspects.
As the world watches the manhunt in Boston, we're understanding in greater detail how important surveillance video was in tracking down the terrorists.
Police are scouring every image they can get their hands on, looking for clues.
It's a huge job because most big cities like Boston are plastered with cameras, which include police, traffic, and store security cameras, It seems impossible to go anywhere without being caught on tape.
So how many cameras would catch your image while you travel through a big city? To find out, INSIDE EDITION's Lisa Guerrero took a 20 minute walk to work in New York City. It doesn't take long for Guerrero to be on dozens of cameras along with thousands of people as she walks through Times Square in the heart of Manhattan.
Some of the street surveillance cameras are connected to websites and you can see the images live on your computer.
"I know I'm being watched everywhere I go," said one pedestrian in Times Square.
While Guerrero found surveillance cameras wherever she went, she also encountered many personal cameras. Even one of Guerrero’s interviews was captured on someone's iPhone.
"I feel a lot safer that they're all watching me," said another pedestrian.
"We are in the heart of Times Square, how many cameras do you think are pointed in our direction right now?" Guerrero asked security expert Pat Brosnan.
"Hundreds," replied Brosnan.
While Inside Edition cameras were taping the interview with Guerrero and Brosnan, many other surveillance cameras were recording them.
"As an investigative tool, it's fantastic and we see that now. We see what's happening up in Boston, and most of that is driven on the investigation of images."
As Guerrero made her way to work, camera after camera catches her image. When she purchased some newspapers, there were three cameras documenting her every step. When Guerrero went for a cup of coffee, she noticed she was being watched by four surveillance cameras.
Some see all this surveillance as an invasion of privacy, but there's no doubt that it lead to the quick identification of the terrorists in Boston.
