Baltimore police video surveillance expands

Mayor Sheila Dixon and City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake have strongly supported the Baltimore Police Department’s surveillance-video system. Last week they joined in announcing that the Citiwatch program has been expanded to 480 cameras, all of which will be monitored in a new, single site.

“Centralizing all camera monitoring in one location is good for fighting crime and saving money,” Dixon said. According to the city government, having all the monitors in one place, instead of the four that had watched far fewer cameras, will save Baltimore at least $500,000 next year.

“Whether it’s a street robbery, a corner drug transaction or going after bad guys with guns, Baltimore’s camera system is the front-line tool in the city’s fight against crime,” Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III said. “With more than 480 cameras throughout the city, the BPD is using this technology to expand our reach and proactively fight crime.”

According to studies cited by the city, systems like Baltimore’s are more effective when monitored by trained staff members in a central location. The city says that so far this year, Citiwatch has played a role in more than 900 arrests, including 68 for violent crimes. The program also has been used in homicide investigations.

For more about the police department’s efforts to assure the public that it’s safe to attend events like the Fourth of July fireworks show at the Inner Harbor and others around downtown this summer, see Melody Simmons’ latest story for Exhibit A.