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Crime Eye Goes Up
MPD is installing 19 additional crime cameras at several locations in and around are neighborhood and citywide. One is within the MVSNA boundaries at the corner of 5th and N. Here is a photo of the installation this morning. Cameras will also go up in Shaw/Logan at 9th Street & T Street, NW and 11th Street & N Street, NW.
According to reports, the cameras will focus on public space only and will operate 24 hours a day. Police will look at the images if there are reports of criminal activity in the area. Generally, video recordings will be maintained by the MPD for 10 days, unless the Department knows that the recordings contain evidence of criminal activity or an occurrence that may subject the MPD to civil liability. In these instances, the recordings will be maintained until final disposition of each case. The CCTV cameras are not equipped with audio overhear capabilities.
What do you think? Will the cameras help? I would have liked to see a nice tree in the tree box at the corner rather than tremendous wooden poll that looks like a tree without limbs or leaves, but if it discourages criminal activity on the block and makes it safer, I'm pro.
Comments
ugh. I believe the rhetoric that crime cameras just push crime elsewhere nearby.
Posted By Shaw Rez / At 6/28/07 10:12 AM
Posted By Shaw Rez / At 6/28/07 10:12 AM
I wish we'd take a page from London's book and just blanket the city in CCTV cameras. Civil libertarians always go on and on about Big Brother, but having lived in London, I can tell you- THE CAMERAS WORK. There is practically zero violent crimes in Central London beyond the occassional bar brawl. Whats more, no one really cares the cameras are there or feels like their being watched. The cameras aren't there to spy on citizens; the operators could care less what you're doing on camera unless you are out to physically harm someone or cause property damage. Can we do this here please??
The other end of that needs consideration though is a well-funded "mission-control" office where all the feeds can be monitored. I heard somewhere that DC's crime cameras store the feeds INSIDE THE CAMERAS and need to be retrieved manually. Is this true?! Its 2007...wtf? Feeds should be sent via secure ethernet to mission control, where they are monitored in real time and stored on a big hard disk that where they can be reaccessed at any time. This way, feeds can be used at a later date to make arrests, AND used in real time to stop the crime in progress.
Posted By Chris L / At 6/28/07 10:29 AM
The other end of that needs consideration though is a well-funded "mission-control" office where all the feeds can be monitored. I heard somewhere that DC's crime cameras store the feeds INSIDE THE CAMERAS and need to be retrieved manually. Is this true?! Its 2007...wtf? Feeds should be sent via secure ethernet to mission control, where they are monitored in real time and stored on a big hard disk that where they can be reaccessed at any time. This way, feeds can be used at a later date to make arrests, AND used in real time to stop the crime in progress.
Posted By Chris L / At 6/28/07 10:29 AM
By 'make arrests' I meant 'provide evidence to make a conviction' :)
Posted By Chris L / At 6/28/07 10:31 AM
Posted By Chris L / At 6/28/07 10:31 AM
how sharp is it, i mean can it read a plate 500 feet away or get a close up of a criminal?
Posted By rr446 / At 6/28/07 11:55 AM
Posted By rr446 / At 6/28/07 11:55 AM
I too agree it will push it elsewhere and I know that is not the answer, but I live at 5+N so as long as it's not happening on my doorstep anymore I am pro
Posted By melissa coughlin / At 6/28/07 12:16 PM
Posted By melissa coughlin / At 6/28/07 12:16 PM
To answer some questions: the resolution is very good, if it zooms at the exact time it needs to, it would probably read a plate at 500ft. the cameras are viewable at the central command center and about half of them, the data can be accessed from there. they are in the process of eliminating on site download and setting up the remote access for all of them, they may be done by now for the original 50? cameras.
The cameras are ok but you have to basicly get lucky for them to be of use. they continuously pan around zooming in and out 180 degrees. (to watch makes you pretty dizzy) a full rotation takes about 2 minutes. I dont feel that they really deter crime, just push it over a block just like the fixed posts. And they are VERY expensive. I would argue that London is a different situation. Guns are not so easily accessable and there is more density. maybe they should put blue flashy lights on the cameras like baltimore. Make em look all scary.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 6/28/07 1:24 PM
The cameras are ok but you have to basicly get lucky for them to be of use. they continuously pan around zooming in and out 180 degrees. (to watch makes you pretty dizzy) a full rotation takes about 2 minutes. I dont feel that they really deter crime, just push it over a block just like the fixed posts. And they are VERY expensive. I would argue that London is a different situation. Guns are not so easily accessable and there is more density. maybe they should put blue flashy lights on the cameras like baltimore. Make em look all scary.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 6/28/07 1:24 PM
I agree that there is a major density difference bettween DC and London. Still, I'd feel comforted if I saw cameras every block here with signs proclaming 'Smile, you're on CCTV'. Eliminates the problem of pushing crime over a block or two if there's cameras on every block.
Regarding the prohibitive costs of the cameras, perhaps the company making them is ripping DC off. What do you really need for a survaillence camera?
1. HD Webcam w/ pan and tilt - $100
2. Cheapo barebones computer in small form factor case - $300
3. Ethernet Card - $10
4. Cable Modem - $50 + (monthly Comcast fees)
3. PV (Solar) Cell - $220
4 Power Inverter - $30
5. Battery - $50
6. Waterproof, insulated casing - (no idea...$100?)
So for under $1000, one can build a solar powered, broadband connected, hi-def survaillance camera. That costs no more to run per month than your cable TV. Now I'm curious what DC's getting charged. Maybe I can start a competing business? :)
Posted By Chris L / At 6/28/07 2:33 PM
Regarding the prohibitive costs of the cameras, perhaps the company making them is ripping DC off. What do you really need for a survaillence camera?
1. HD Webcam w/ pan and tilt - $100
2. Cheapo barebones computer in small form factor case - $300
3. Ethernet Card - $10
4. Cable Modem - $50 + (monthly Comcast fees)
3. PV (Solar) Cell - $220
4 Power Inverter - $30
5. Battery - $50
6. Waterproof, insulated casing - (no idea...$100?)
So for under $1000, one can build a solar powered, broadband connected, hi-def survaillance camera. That costs no more to run per month than your cable TV. Now I'm curious what DC's getting charged. Maybe I can start a competing business? :)
Posted By Chris L / At 6/28/07 2:33 PM
As we've seen in several instances where violent crimes occured under the camera's watch in our neighborhood, they have been mostly useless. Really, I wish time and energy were instead spent putting police on the streets or undercover instead of hanging expensive cameras that seem of very little use.
Posted By Carmen Gilotte / At 6/28/07 2:43 PM
Posted By Carmen Gilotte / At 6/28/07 2:43 PM
its a major rip off IMHO, the city has spent millions already & thank you for laying it out. even putting cameras on every block wont work, too many parking lots & cut thrus, alleys & places to elude detection. As i said on the 3D list, I think we should have a return to stealth policing. No more fixed posts, get the cars roving thru the lots & alleys with the lights off. More bike cops that can quickly navigate these areas. Segways perhaps...if anyone wants to check out & participate in the discussion go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MPD-3d/
BTW I recently read on the 1D list that any citizen can aim a camera at public space.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 6/28/07 3:11 PM
BTW I recently read on the 1D list that any citizen can aim a camera at public space.
Posted By Si Kailian / At 6/28/07 3:11 PM
also Shotspotter presentation tonight:
Mr. Jack Pontious from Shotspotter will give a brief overview of Shotspotter, the gunshot detection system. The system is currently used in 7D and the Chief Lanier is looking into a 3D enhancement. Mr. Pontious who is the Vice President of Business Development will be a guest speaker at the 3D CAC Meeting. The meeting will be tonight at 3D in the Snyder Community Room 1620 V St NW. The meeting will start at 7:30.
The meeting is open to the public.
For more information on Shotspotter follow the link:
http://www.shotspotter.com/index.html
Marco Santiago
Community Relations Coordinator
Metropolitan Police Department
Third District Station
202-671-6604
Posted By Si Kailian / At 6/28/07 3:16 PM
Mr. Jack Pontious from Shotspotter will give a brief overview of Shotspotter, the gunshot detection system. The system is currently used in 7D and the Chief Lanier is looking into a 3D enhancement. Mr. Pontious who is the Vice President of Business Development will be a guest speaker at the 3D CAC Meeting. The meeting will be tonight at 3D in the Snyder Community Room 1620 V St NW. The meeting will start at 7:30.
The meeting is open to the public.
For more information on Shotspotter follow the link:
http://www.shotspotter.com/index.html
Marco Santiago
Community Relations Coordinator
Metropolitan Police Department
Third District Station
202-671-6604
Posted By Si Kailian / At 6/28/07 3:16 PM
I think the cameras will work as well as the ones they have on 7th and Ost (sarcastic remark). I mean really if they really were working as we all as residents believe they should we, wouldn't be having as much shooting crimes and local terroism as we have been having. But I guess you have to start somewhere huh?....Like the police who understandably sit on the corners while individuals shoot in front of them and no one is captured until they have been shot or killed by a gun shot wound.....But let me channel my energy to positive thinking to help the solution thats what I need to do sorry about the sarcastic vent. but hey its a blog....
Posted By David Haines / At 6/28/07 4:07 PM
Posted By David Haines / At 6/28/07 4:07 PM
Fixed cameras are a political ploy. Make people think you are doing something about crime but still cater to the social advocates. God forbid that the cops appear to "harrass" wayward youth or not warn criminals with flashing lights. By all means don't demand better policing from poor performing cops.
Why won't Lanier and McCoy back up their best cops with the tools and tactics they need? Computers and cameras in all police cars, allow all police to wear plain clothes when needed, computerized reporting, streamlined interaction with the US Att., ditch unnecessary DoJ oversight, turn off the damn flashing lights on cars. DC acts like it is the only city in the world with a crime problem. Take a look at other communities that have successes (like NYC, not Tel Aviv).
Posted By ed / At 6/28/07 5:39 PM
Why won't Lanier and McCoy back up their best cops with the tools and tactics they need? Computers and cameras in all police cars, allow all police to wear plain clothes when needed, computerized reporting, streamlined interaction with the US Att., ditch unnecessary DoJ oversight, turn off the damn flashing lights on cars. DC acts like it is the only city in the world with a crime problem. Take a look at other communities that have successes (like NYC, not Tel Aviv).
Posted By ed / At 6/28/07 5:39 PM
What people dont realise is that green homes and buildings are not only worth more (resale value) but are creating more reveneu as well. Higher occupancy rates paired with higher rental premiums equals more money in VC's pockets.
http://www.everydaylinks.com
Posted By Jeb Simons / At 5/18/08 10:07 AM
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Posted By Jeb Simons / At 5/18/08 10:07 AM
