Argenta News - Practically Useless Cameras Downtown

Practically Useless Cameras Downtown

Written by Scott Miller

Wednesday, June 24 2009

Several months ago the City make a big deal out of installing security cameras downtown. As is it turns out the cameras provide little if any assistance in solving crime downtown other than as a deterrent. The cameras are rarely monitored and not recorded. When the owner of Cafe La Pace inquired what the security camera (see picture above) a little over 100 feet from his business showed during the time period when his furniture was stolen, he was told the images are not recorded. The same thing has been told to victims of other crimes downtown over the last few months.

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So why did the City spend tens of thousands of dollars for cameras which are being used for visual deterrence only? Couldn't the City just have bought the camera cases only and mounted those for the same deterrence factor, saving thousands of dollars? The cameras are monitored during large events downtown, but is a safe downtown only for those attending large events?

Certainly it can't be a question of technological capability, since the NLR Police Dept. is on the leading edge of technology, as shown by their use of unmanned aerial vehicle helicopter. If it is a question of staffing and manpower, no doubt most would rather have officers watching the cameras than training on a helicopter that is not even permitted by the FAA to fly over the City.

Perhaps someone should just by a DVR for a few hundred dollars and hook it up to the camera system.

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Comments (5)

Hmmmmmm....
Written by Argenitals, on 24-06-2009 13:07
It's been a long time since we've discussed the cameras on here, but I pretty distinctly remember the heated debate we had when they initially installed them. Numerous crimes have happened since the cameras installation and not once have we heard of them catching a crime. I was opposed to the cameras from the beginning. They were a complete waste of money, and I am glad to see that more people are realizing what I suspected from the start. Sadly, I doubt we will ever recieve an explanation that makes any sense from the city. Can we recap who is responsible for this ridiculous and wasteful spending?

Written by bconverse, on 24-06-2009 13:07
We just bought 5 network video recorders and they were about $5 grand each. Still a valid point though.

video recorders
Written by Paul J, on 24-06-2009 19:36
How does the purchase of network video recorders by a private business relate to the problem of police cameras that don't spot crimes? What the connection, Bconverse?

@Paul J
Written by bconverse, on 25-06-2009 08:59
I was simply rebutting the fact that you can not buy an nvr for "a few hundred dollars".

Written by rhonda, on 30-06-2009 12:01
It would have been nice if the cameras had been working about 1 1/2 to 2 weeks ago when my sons car was broken into at the corner across from Argenta Drug or when Cafe LaPace had their outside furniture stolen. If the city is spending the money to install they need to be operating or it's just a joke.