Kevin Bishop

Ms. Kirkpatrick
English 12
12/18/15
The Solution Against Terrorism and Crime: Government Surveillance
Post 9-11, government surveillance has notably increased in order to prevent another
terrorist attack. Nearly 3,000 Americans died due to the Islamic terrorist attacks against the
United States White House and Pentagon. The government has taken a legal and efficient step
forward in instituting surveillance not only to stop a terrorist attack before it happens but also for
the safety of citizens of the United States. If government surveillance had been ramped up pre
9/11 then the intelligence agencies could have averted the terrorist attacks, however,
intelligence agencies failed to garner vital information that could have prevented the attacks
(Setty). Since 9/11 there have been fourteen terrorists attacks against the U.S. including the Fort
Stewart Army base killing in Georgia on December 10, 2011, the Fort Hood shooting in Texas on
November 5th 2009, and most recently the Boston Marathon bombing in Massachusetts on April
15, 2013. With the institution of extensive government surveillance, the number of attacks will
greatly plummet, and if it had been implemented sooner than these vicious attacks could have
been preventable. The Patriot Act, signed into law by president Bush on October 26, 2001,
provided government agencies the ability to listen in on phone calls and internet communications
thus giving the intelligence community heaps of information which they were restricted from pre
9-11 (Setty). Those who critique the NSA (National Security Agency) for not disclosing
information to the public and believe theyre working behind closed doors are illogical. In
March of 2015 the National Security Agency shifted its public willingness to improving
protections of privacy and civil liberties and increase of transparency when compatible with
intelligence gathering interests (Setty). Government surveillance is an obligation of the United

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States and citizens must continue to survey our nation and enhance technologically to prevent a
dreadful act of terrorism from happening again. Government surveillance is urgent and and
essential as it contributes to our national security in an effort to defend against terrorism and
threatening criminal behavior in the United States.
Government surveillance curtails terrorism because of the technological advancements
such as, cameras, face recognition UAVs, access to international communications and the ability
to listen in on phone calls nationwide. These various types of surveillance supply the executive
branch with any available information through surveillance programs including the NSA, DHS,
CBP, and PRISM. Post 9/11 most Americans have been living with fear, however, Americans
should be living without fear in that government surveillance programs have demonstrated their
ability to preclude terrorism. Heritage Foundation researchers proclaim that 39 post-9/11 plots
foiled on May 20, 2011, 40 plots foiled on September 7, 2011, 50 plots foiled on April 25, 2012,
and 60 plots foiled on July 22, 2013(Bejesky). It is crucial that the government locates and
ceases any plot constructed by a terrorist or a terrorist group before the plot is carried out. For
example, Antonio Benjamin Martinez (Muhammad Hussain), was arrested by the FBI for posting
on Facebook that he wanted to travel to Afghanistan and fight in the war for Allah, and ensuing
communications with the FBI revealed that Martinez [was] making statements about carrying
out a terrorist attack (Bejesky). Undoubtedly, with the assistance and backing of Allah, Martinez
could have executed an act of terrorism on U.S homeland, yet U.S surveillance was able to, once
again, prove the validation of its programs and arrest Martinez before any vicious attacks
occurred. In addition to internet monitoring, government surveillance also has access to cameras,
specifically UAVs, which are unmanned drones that are inexpensive and act as another eye in the
sky for surveillance agencies. Without putting an American citizen's life in jeopardy, UAVs

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(unmanned aerial vehicles) can indicate targets easier as they consist of facial recognition
software that allows the system to identify people automatically, plus the large databases of
tagged photos-from drivers licenses, Facebook, [and] news papers (Schneier). UAVs have the
ability to spy on known terrorist organizations, therefore providing surveillance agencies with
imperative information on groups like al Qaeda, Taliban, and Isis. However, the drones most
forceful feature is the ability to locate terrorist, particularly leaders of these operatives, and
eradicate them. The Obama administration has launched over 400 drone attacks [killing] an
estimated 3,300 al Qaeda, Taliban, and other jihadist operatives in Pakistan and Yemen. That
number includes over 50 senior leaders of al Qaeda and the Talibantop figures who are not
easily replaced (Byman). Today it is effortless for government surveillance programs to identify
an individual in a matter of seconds. Exterminating one leader means another must take his
place, presumably an individual with fewer qualifications. Constantly eliminating powerful
leaders reduces terrorism in the United States because citizens from their respective countries
dont have a permanent leader which they can take orders from. Byman asserts that Drones
have also undercut terrorists ability to communicate and to train new recruits. In order to avoid
attracting drones, al Qaeda and Taliban operatives try to avoid using electronic devices or
gathering in large numbers. Without communication between terrorists and their leaders a
successful attack is unlikely to transpire. Originally, government surveillance was strictly used to
derail terrorism, but has evolved into a worldwide necessity for the government and businesses
who are trying to maintain peace and apprehend individuals who are trying to disrupt it.
Surveillance is essential in deterring crime in the United States because we live in a
world of surveillance with cameras at every corner, gas station, retail store, and now even stop
lights. Cities who have inaugurated surveillance have seen a dramatic decline in criminal

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behavior. Chicago law enforcement proclaim, Prior to the installation of cameras, Humboldt
Park had experienced a brief spike in crime with nearly 500 reported incidents in a single month,
but after the cameras were put in place, crime dropped 20 percent the following month and
stayed low (Study). It is unreasonable to think that surveillance will prevent all crime; however,
an individual is less likely to commit a criminal act knowing his actions are all being caught on
camera and that he/she will not be able to escape the ramifications. Today, surveillance gives
local police access to previously unavailable surveillance capabilities (Schneier). Beyond just
reducing crime rates, surveillance is also useful in catching a fleeing criminal. Naturally when a
criminal is on the run humans are frightened especially if they are in proximity of the incident.
Thankfully, for attacks like the Boston Marathon and London subway bombings, government
and private businesses were able to synthesize the data collected to identify and catch the
criminals. It could have taken days, weeks, or the suspect could have never been caught if not for
vigilant surveillance cameras. The Boston Marathon bombers were pinpointed within a few
hours, [and] their faces were plainly visible on TV screens around the world. It turned out that
every nefarious move they made as they delivered their deadly packages to Boylston Street had
been scanned and stored by surveillance cameras (Von Drehle). If cameras were not surveilling
the area, these terrorist could have escaped and planned to execute substantially more Americans.
Surveillance is also necessary along our borders as it has exhibited its capability of
impeding drug smuggling, illegal immigration, and other criminal behavior. The past two years
alone, the DHS was able to seize 75 percent more currency, 31 percent more drugs, and 64
percent more weapons along the Southwest border as compared to the last two and a half years
during the previous Administration (Homeland). These are immense numbers compared to
previous years; partially due to the fact the CBP (Customs and Border Protection) now operates

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more than 9 UAVs along a stretch of more than 650 miles of fencing. UAVs consist of features
such as video, radar, infrared, and still picture information (Unmanned). UAVs provide CBP
ground forces with rigorous image quality and specific location of suspects as it is highly
undetectable and difficult to damage. The successfulness of the UAVs is represented in the
decline of attempts of illegal immigration into the United States. Comparable to the delineation
of terrorism and criminal behavior in the United States, illegal immigration attempts, as
measured by Border Patrol apprehensions, have decreased 36 percent in the past two years, and
are less than one third of what they were at their peak (Homeland). Surveillance along the
United States borders is necessary in order to maintain illegal immigration and paraphernalia
crossing into the United States.
Critics of government surveillance accuse the NSA and other government agencies of
violating their fourth amendment right, however, the NSA is not searching any place, and
therefore it is not a violation of the fourth amendment. An individual can expect substantial
protections against warrantless government intrusions into their homes, [yet] the Fourth
Amendment offers less robust restrictions upon government surveillance occurring in public
places and perhaps even less in areas immediately outside the home, such as in driveways or
backyards (Drones). Many cases that go to the Supreme Court fail because it is very challenging
to prove that a warrantless search occurred. For example, in the Olmstead vs. United States court
case, Olmstead testified that federal agents connected a wiretap to the phone lines outside of his
home without a valid warrant. Since they didn't go to into his home and or search any place,
the court ruled in favor of the United States (Reed). Similarly, critics also accuse the NSA of
listening in on everyone's phone calls, this is simply not true and those who make this claim are
illogical. Government agencies only listen in on phone calls between a suspected terrorist and or

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criminal and their communications with others, the NSA is not interested in phone calls people
have with friends or relatives. If the NSA is interested in Jake for example, they can see who he
is talking to, and who that person is talking to, and who that person is talking to, this process is
called phone hoping (Schneier). This is an essential asset for both law enforcement and
government agencies because they are able to detect accomplices who are just as dangerous and
pose a threat as well. Law abiding citizens should be advocating for this program as its main
purpose is to apprehend perpetrators.
It is imperative that government surveillance be implemented throughout the whole
country in order to diminish terrorism and criminal behavior in the United States. It has validated
its credibility to deter crime and not only terrorism, but terrorists. Being one of the most
technologically advanced countries in the world, the United States has utilized its expertise
especially in gadgets like UAVs. UAVs have numerous features, such as face and voice
recognition, and the capability of informing government officials and or law enforcement of the
precise location where the suspect is, without endangering an United States Citizen. UAVs are
effective in surveilling cities and border lines, as well as intruding and destructing other countries
who pose a threat to the United States. Additionally, ordinary cameras on buildings and private
businesses have reduced both crime and terrorism rates. Fewer acts of violence ultimately lead to
fewer deaths. Government surveillance is not just cameras, it also involves phone tapping and
monitoring what an individual does on his or her computer. Many citizens believe this is
intrusion of privacy, however the NSA argues that they are only targeting criminals, terrorists, or
those suspected of being a terrorist. Obama also stresses that, We know of at least 50 threats that
have been averted because of this information not just in the United States, but, in some cases,
threats here in Germany. So lives have been saved.(Cahall). The important part here is that lives

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are being saved, and that should be a top priority for a U.S Citizen. Without these programs and
agencies ramifications will proceed. Post 9/11 terrorist attacks have dramatically decreased in the
United States due to the expansion of government surveillance. Terrorists will sacrifice their
lives at any cost, however, by them doing this; they also execute innocent Americans as well. If
the U.S. has the power to locate terrorists before vicious attacks occur through phone tapping and
surveillance, then they should exercise this power for the safety and security of our nation.
Criminal behavior in the United States is also frightening. Many private businesses have installed
surveillance, thus making criminals think twice before they follow through with a crime. It is
very logical that a city with immense surveillance will apprehend most of, if not all criminals
who commit a crime, as opposed to a city with minimal surveillance. Government surveillance is
the solution to both terrorism and crime in the U.S., American citizens must surrender some of
their civil liberties for the safety of the nation.