Peoples & Things Ben Snyder on Spy Plane: Inside Baltimore’s Surveillance Experiment
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Jun 16, 2025 Ben Snyder, an Associate Professor of Sociology at Williams College and author of *Spy Plane: Inside Baltimore’s Surveillance Experiment*, dives into the controversial aerial surveillance program in Baltimore. He discusses how this military-grade technology aimed to track individuals raised significant privacy concerns among the community. Snyder reveals the technological optimism clashing with ethical dilemmas and the eventual legal challenges that deemed the program unconstitutional. The conversation highlights the complex relationship between surveillance, community trust, and the accountability of law enforcement.
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Inside Baltimore's Spy Plane
- The book narrates a real story of a military-grade aerial surveillance tech used experimentally in Baltimore.
- The author observed inside the operations center showing police using this tech on violent crimes.
Techno-Solutionism and Transparency
- CEO Ross McNutt is a techno solutionist who believes the tech can solve violent crime affordably.
- He promotes transparency to reduce fear and showcases the tech's potential benefits.
Research Amid COVID Risks
- Research happened in early COVID days with risks and family concerns.
- Despite fears, the author proceeded to observe the project as others were on lockdown.
