The recent unfortunate case of drunk driving involving a state lawmaker puts front and center the issue of substance use disorders and issues of privacy and surveillance.
Even before the news media arrived on the scene of the accident, nearby security cameras had captured images of the over-turned car on Capitol Avenue in Hartford.
Increasingly, no matter where you are, there is someone watching through an automated camera that may not be visible to the casual observer. Some of the cameras are operated by law enforcement, but many are operated by private firms or property owners. In this “camera on every corner” environment none of us can be assured of privacy.
As a matter of public relations it means those facing communications crises should assume that if the behavior in question happened in a public space, it was captured on camera and has probably been digitally preserved. This means it’s a bad decision to hope no one saw what happened as a primary strategy.
Bottom Line: They did see what happened. Be honest. Ask for forgiveness. Develop a plan for recovery.