July 28 Intelligencer New Era reports that “The Rev. Edward Bailey, pastor of Bethel AME, said he will ask the community safety coalition to remove a camera on a utility pole outside his church door. ‘We have a right to privacy coming into worship.'”
There is more than that at stake. For a decade Bethel AME has been the sole source of assistance to heroin addicts, providing service which prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other social diseases and encouraging the entry into treatment. The Lancaster Newspapers ran an article several years ago lauding Bailey and his church for such services.
So not only is a camera a possible violation of the United States’ and Pennsylvania’s Constitutional freedoms of worship, but it is intimidating to those seeking harm reduction assistance and would contribute to a further spread of disease and crime throughout our area.
The cameras must be removed immediately and no camera should ever monitor persons going to and coming from a house of worship.
No one ever said you have a right to not be watched going in or out of church.
Out on the street, anyone can see you. We watch to see where celebrities are going all the time.
Free exercise of religion is not violated because government is not preventing or punishing anyone for exercising their religious beliefs.
How do you know who’s getting treatment and who’s just going to church? Public safety is more important than a druggie being embarrassed.
Editor’s response: Most church members come to worship on Sunday mornings. Addicts come throughout the week. They fear being identified and later arrested. Discouraging their coming spreads HIV – AIDS to the general population.