Surevillance in public space : a social space perspective

Abstract: In 2019, a national incident operation was introduced by the Swedish police to reduce gun-shootings in public space, and to achieve public safety and security. The operation - known as Operation Rimfrost - introduced a new intelligence-based method to combat crime, which involved the use of different surveillance technologies in public space. "From a social space analysis perspective of Operation Rimfrost, the operation illustrates a state-led solution to resolve an urban crisis. Surveillance technologies were promoted as creating safe and secure public space. However, the right to the city in combination with an understanding of surveillance points out that these technologies can have the possibility to suppress a democratic development of public space. This is because surveillance technologies can inhibit public space as a place for political action, and as a place to gather and express dissent in public. In addition, the analysis of Operation Rimfrost illustrated a lack of participation in society by those most affected by the operation. People living in deprived areas, also referred to as "criminal areas" during the operation, were not aware of any ongoing national operation against violence involving firearms in public space.