Shenzhen has announced it will install security cameras in taxis for security reasons and to help solve legal disputes, Special Zone Daily reports.

The city’s traffic police recently received a comment on their microblog inquiring why they hadn’t followed the example of other Chinese cities by installing the cameras. Hangzhou introduced the cameras in March 2011, Qingdao followed in April 2012.

Although some taxies do have security cameras and microphones, the city is set to enforce their installation for the first time.

A taxi driver told the paper that the pros of having the cameras outweighed the cons, adding that it would make him feel safer at work.

33% of respondents to an online survey supported the move and 66% opposed.  The most common reason given for opposing the move was privacy.  However, many netizens defended the move. Here is a sample:

Dreaming Cat: What private things could happen in a taxi anyway? I consider it a public place.

Shenzhen Longshun Da: I’m a taxi driver and I support it wholeheartedly.

Jamychal: I think it’s a good idea, and in fact I think there should be two cameras, one to show what’s going on inside the taxi, one to show what’s going on outside.

City Wei: I support it. Safety is always the top priority.

Really save me: They will be especially useful when phones and wallets are lost.

What do you think?