"Checkin' out the halls, makin' sure the coast is clear
Lookin' in the stalls, 'No, there ain't nobody here'......
Smokin' in the boys room".

Most of us remember that big 1973 hit from Brownsville Station. It was a song of total rebellion like most rock songs during that time. It also reflected what most of us have known for so long: the restroom is that one place where we could have a reasonable expectation of privacy. But that was then. Times have certainly changed.

Windsor Charter Academy has a new wing that includes cameras in the bathrooms. According to Denver 7 News, the cameras are a "proactive, not reactive measure geared toward student safety". It might also be, according to a student, to keep from kids vaping in the restroom. There may have also been an incident involving a "hit list".

The camera view is aimed at the sink areas of the restroom, not inside of the stall. The walls of each stall goes from the floor to ceiling, so camera viewing would not be possible.

This situation is hard for some of us to wrap our heads around. Back in our day, we didn't need to worry about safety. We snuck in the bathroom to toke on a cigarette or gossip, or other nefarious activities. Today, we're parents who watch the news and, especially in Colorado, we are so weary of that phone call or reports of a "lock-down". Anything to keep that from happening, we would all agree that it's reasonable.

Benjamin Franklin once said, "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety".

What are your thoughts? Do you mind that a charter school (not a public school) has cameras in the bathroom where your son or daughter would ordinarily believe they have a reasonable expectation of privacy? Does safety supersede privacy?

 

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