April 12, 2002—Although the numbers have declined modestly since September 2001, large majorities of the public continue to favor strong and expanded powers that law enforcement agencies might use when dealing with people suspected of terrorist activities.
These are the results of The Harris Poll, a nationwide survey of 1,017 adults (18+) surveyed by telephone between March 13th and 19th. This is how they rated each of ten different types of surveillance:
- Stronger document and physical security checks for travelers: supported by 89 percent.
- Stronger document and physical security checks for access to government and private offices: supported by 89 percent.
- Expanded undercover activities to penetrate groups under suspicion: favored by 88 percent.
- Use of facial recognition technology to scan for suspected terrorists at various locations and public events: favored by 81 percent.
- Issuance of a secure identification technique for persons to access government and business computer systems, to avoid disruption: favored by 78 percent.
- Closer monitoring of banking and credit card transactions to trace funding sources: favored by 72 percent.
- Adoption of a national identification system for all US citizens: favored by 59 percent.
- Expanded camera surveillance on streets and in public places: favored by 58 percent.
- Law enforcement monitoring of Internet discussions in chat rooms and other forums: favored by 55 percent.
- Expanded government monitoring of cell phones and e-mail, to intercept communications: opposed by 51 percent.
