Poll: 96% of Americans Support Video Surveillance

Contrary to what you might hear, 96 percent of U.S. citizens support CCTV video surveillance in public places, especially for use in counteracting terrorism, according to a recent Harris Poll survey.

Having covered the security market for more than 20 years, it's great to finally see some data that confirms my suspicions that most Americans are not in step with the "liberal national media's" bias against security and the whole "Big Brother" hysteria regarding security cameras.

We like to feel secure.

The study also says four out of five adults believe that in extreme cases, such as a terrorist attack, the government should be able to use any available means to protect citizens. Fifty-four percent of adults are even willing to put a portion of the government's stimulus funds toward setting up video surveillance to help reduce crime.

The report also mentions that, according to the New York Times, the city of London has 4.2 million CCTV cameras in public places.

The online survey, commissioned by BRS Labs, was conducted from May 28 through June 1, 2009, with 2,416 adults (ages 18 and over) in the United States interviewed.