Donna Swicegood | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) | Jan. 29, 2008

A skateboarder, jumping off a couple of steps, took a spill and landed hard on the pavement.

The landing didn’t quell his enthusiasm, as within seconds he was back up and headed down the same steps.

All of his antics were captured on a video surveillance camera that the Statesville Police Department may soon be using to deal with anything from trespassers to homicide investigations.

Police Chief Steve Hampton said the department has been trying out a static, or stationary, camera to determine if it’s a feasible way to help officers be in more places at the same time.

Hampton said the department has been using a camera on a test basis for about a week. The reviews have been favorable.
“It can zoom in on a license plate on a vehicle at a business,” he said.

The police department is putting together a demonstration of how the cameras work for the Statesville City Council, with the hopes of eventually purchasing different types to be used throughout the city.

The cost of the cameras has not been been determined. “It varies and is based on a number of factors. We will be looking at a number of companies,” Hampton said.

If the city council OKs the plan to purchase some cameras for the police department, the cost will depend on the product, the references of the company and other factors, including the low bid.

The police department will also look at the possibility of merchants purchasing their own cameras. Hampton said the merchants can allow the police department access to the images if a crime is reported.

The savings in terms of overtime for officers could balance out the cost of purchasing and maintaining the cameras.

“A while back, we had some periods of vandalism and break-ins,” he said. “We dedicated four or five officers to working that area.”

A camera, he said, would have made the job of watching the area much easier.

“It lets us work smarter,” he said.

Surveillance cameras, he said, have been helping solve crimes for some time. A video of a recent double homicide helped police identity and capture a suspect within a day of the crime.

That surveillance footage came from a video camera inside of a convenience store.

Hampton said the surveillance picture was instrumental in making an identification of the suspect quickly. “It played a major role,” he said.

“Those folks (the store clerk and customer who were killed) couldn’t talk to us, and tell us what happened,” he said. The video camera, along with a man pumping gas at the store, provided the clues in the case.

Hampton said the cameras won’t take the place of good police work, but are one more tool officers have at their disposable.
The police department had been considering installing surveillance cameras in some public locations for more than a year.

The time might be right to make the move now, Hampton said, because technology has advanced and the price of equipment is coming down.

Also, with the availability of wireless Internet connections in the area, the cameras can be hardwired to have the images transmitted via the Internet.

That way, he said, merchants who choose to install the cameras can watch their businesses from anywhere.
“They can watch from home, while they’re on vacation,” he said.

Downtown Statesville Development Corporation director Marin Tomlin said nothing has officially been presented to the merchants thus far, but once the proposal is in place, she will do so.

SPD Assistant Chief Tom Anderson said the static cameras could be particularly useful during large events downtown to zoom in if trouble arises.

“Officers can respond, but most times, everyone has scattered,” he said. “Cameras can provide some very significant details.”

Hampton said he believes the cameras will aid police in identifying suspects, as well as having the proof of the crime caught on camera.

“It’s a more proactive approach,” he said.

Comments

Leave a Comment

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.

All comments are moderated before publication.
For more information, see our terms and conditions.