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2007-12-03
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2007-12-03
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7 <br /> Responding to a question from Ms. Hamilton, Chief Longo said that a total of 30 <br />cameras are proposed for the portion of Garrett Street with parking, along Water Street, <br />along the mall itself, and around public buildings. He said they will be able to be moved <br />to other locations as flexibility is proposed to be built into the system. He said the goal is <br />to cover areas with lots of foot traffic. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris asked if there is anything that would prevent local businesses from <br />setting up their own cameras. <br /> <br /> Chief Longo said no, but said that he thinks it is his responsibility to seek <br />solutions. He said he will work with businesses, but thinks we need to get to the RFP <br />process. <br /> <br /> Referring to comments made about the police, Ms. Hamilton asked if it is true that <br />with the cameras the police would be under surveillance as well, and Chief Longo said <br />yes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he thinks the Police Department is getting a bum rap and feels that <br />the majority of officers do an excellent job. Mr. Norris asked Chief Longo to address the <br />slippery slope argument. He said some say some neighborhoods are less safe than <br />downtown, and how can we say we cannot give them cameras. <br /> <br /> Chief Longo said the equipment can be put anywhere. He said there is a lot of <br />investment downtown, but if the system is flexible the cameras can be moved to areas <br />where there is concern. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said that becomes a Council issue. She said downtown is a public <br />space, but neighborhoods are different. She said we could say the cameras will be <br />reserved for public spaces up front in the policy. <br /> <br /> Chief Longo said the system could be used for covert use as part of an <br />investigation as warranted. <br /> <br /> Ms. Hamilton said she thinks the Chief has been responsive to concerns, and said <br />she is satisfied if we do a good enough job on the front end with the policy she will <br />support the cameras. She said Planning Commission Chair Bill Lucy’s report about the <br />drove in foot traffic on the mall could be linked to safety rather than the mall crossing. <br />She said the mall is fragile and has a lot of competition. <br /> <br /> Mr. Taliaferro said he supports the cameras, and applauds the Chief and Police <br />Department for offering technology to enhance policing. He said another compelling <br />argument is getting people off the street who commit crimes. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he supports the use of cameras and the proposal has come a long <br />way, but he does not think a centralized system is necessary. He said it is more obtrusive. <br />He said he would support a stand alone system that could be deployed as needed. He said <br />with a centralized system we would be treating all people like potential suspects. He said <br />cameras would not provide real security, just perceived security. He expressed concern <br />about the incremental taking of liberties. <br /> <br /> Mr. Norris said he agrees with Mr. Lynch. He said he would support individual <br />cameras as needed, but is not in favor of a fixed centralized system. He said it comes <br />down to perception. He said he is not convinced cameras will lead to a reduction in <br />crime. He said improved lighting and policing reduces crime, and he would rather do <br />those. He said he favors a flexible camera system, using forensic analysis to identify <br />areas where crime is prevalent. He noted that businesses can install cameras on their <br />own. He said we very likely will have surveillance cameras one day, but that is not <br />something he wants to be a part of. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said this is a hard issue because there is no one he has more respect for <br />than Chief Longo, but he cannot support the cameras. He said he is uncomfortable with <br />the trends in the country that are erosions of privacy and our rights. He said he supports <br /> <br />
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