Watch the watchmen№ 41

The participants split up into groups. Each group is in charge of a certain area in the vicinity of the youth centre/organisation.

At first, the participants jointly consider which surveillance cameras are visible and how to recognise them. This preparatory activity can be carried out while taking a walk together. Are there different kinds of surveillance cameras? (public/private ones, surveillance of road space, of private properties, on public means of transport, etc.) Depending on the age and wishes of the participants, they can come up with a legend for recording the location of the cameras on the map.

Now, the participants go outside to check their area. They mark all the cameras they see on the map and take pictures of them.

Afterwards, the groups compare the maps and reflect on the following questions:

Why is there a particularly large number of cameras in certain places?

Who should be kept under surveillance?

Is it possible that the surveillance cameras serve other or additional purposes, e.g. as a deterrent?

The photos are used to create a collage for each area. How do the pictures differ from each other? Do they reveal anything about the areas, e.g. who lives there, if there could be many burglaries in the area?

Attention! In private spaces, including public means of transport, it may not be allowed to take photos of the cameras. Be sure to clarify this in advance and to record the location of those cameras on the map without taking photos.