Newark's novel but frightening crime-fighting scheme

Officials in Newark, N.J., have come up with a novel and frightening crime-reduction scheme: outsourcing surveillance to anyone with an Internet connection.

Citizen Virtual Patrol allows the public to watch the livestreams of dozens of surveillance cameras across the city. If Newark’s mayor gets his way, these cameras will be the first of several hundred. These cameras are unlikely to reduce crime. What’s more likely is that they will establish a neighborhood panopticon manned by nosy residents thrilled at the prospect of being informants or vigilantes.