2007-12-03 - Laserfiche WebLink

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7 Responding to a question from Ms. Hamilton, Chief Longo said that a total of 30 cameras are proposed for the portion of Garrett Street with parking, along Water Street, along the mall itself, and around public buildings. He said they will be able to be moved to other locations as flexibility is proposed to be built into the system. He said the goal is to cover areas with lots of foot traffic. Mr. Norris asked if there is anything that would prevent local businesses from setting up their own cameras. Chief Longo said no, but said that he thinks it is his responsibility to seek solutions. He said he will work with businesses, but thinks we need to get to the RFP process. Referring to comments made about the police, Ms. Hamilton asked if it is true that with the cameras the police would be under surveillance as well, and Chief Longo said yes. Mr. Norris said he thinks the Police Department is getting a bum rap and feels that the majority of officers do an excellent job. Mr. Norris asked Chief Longo to address the slippery slope argument. He said some say some neighborhoods are less safe than downtown, and how can we say we cannot give them cameras. Chief Longo said the equipment can be put anywhere. He said there is a lot of investment downtown, but if the system is flexible the cameras can be moved to areas where there is concern. Ms. Hamilton said that becomes a Council issue. She said downtown is a public space, but neighborhoods are different. She said we could say the cameras will be reserved for public spaces up front in the policy. Chief Longo said the system could be used for covert use as part of an investigation as warranted. Ms. Hamilton said she thinks the Chief has been responsive to concerns, and said she is satisfied if we do a good enough job on the front end with the policy she will support the cameras. She said Planning Commission Chair Bill Lucy’s report about the drove in foot traffic on the mall could be linked to safety rather than the mall crossing. She said the mall is fragile and has a lot of competition. Mr. Taliaferro said he supports the cameras, and applauds the Chief and Police Department for offering technology to enhance policing. He said another compelling argument is getting people off the street who commit crimes. Mr. Lynch said he supports the use of cameras and the proposal has come a long way, but he does not think a centralized system is necessary. He said it is more obtrusive. He said he would support a stand alone system that could be deployed as needed. He said with a centralized system we would be treating all people like potential suspects. He said cameras would not provide real security, just perceived security. He expressed concern about the incremental taking of liberties. Mr. Norris said he agrees with Mr. Lynch. He said he would support individual cameras as needed, but is not in favor of a fixed centralized system. He said it comes down to perception. He said he is not convinced cameras will lead to a reduction in crime. He said improved lighting and policing reduces crime, and he would rather do those. He said he favors a flexible camera system, using forensic analysis to identify areas where crime is prevalent. He noted that businesses can install cameras on their own. He said we very likely will have surveillance cameras one day, but that is not something he wants to be a part of. Dr. Brown said this is a hard issue because there is no one he has more respect for than Chief Longo, but he cannot support the cameras. He said he is uncomfortable with the trends in the country that are erosions of privacy and our rights. He said he supports