Curtis Corner surveillance cameras connect with cops

Narragansett Times
Jan. 27, 2006

SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- The Champagne Heights public housing complex on Curtis Corner Road has had an upgrade in its decade-old surveillance system, which will likely be linked via internet to police department computers.

Ed Pearlman, executive director of the South Kingstown Housing Authority, thinks the surveillance hook-up will be a useful tool.

In a telephone interview Monday, Pearlman explained that since October they have already seen positive results of the system. "We think it's been useful. We are still phasing it in. Anyone who complains about the cameras, probably doesn't want them. We don't want bad people up here."

The surveillance system is just one of many upgrades at the 40- unit complex - from fire alarms, to toilets, and kitchens, but the surveillance computers and cameras are getting most of the attention.

On Fri. Jan. 20, the housing authority used the new system to resolve a dispute between neighbors. When a resident left a piece of property outside, someone stole it. Because of the surveillance cameras, the housing authority and the police know who's telling the truth. As a result, the person will retrieve their stolen property.

"We are not trying to violate anyone's privacy," explained Pearlman. We are not looking for crime."

He sees the system being used to track people with warrants, to resolve disputes, and for evidence on a case-by-case basis.

The new digital system constantly records live action using 16 cameras focused on common areas. Pearlman said the cameras will not be focused on individual apartment doors.

Captain Jeffrey Allen of the South Kingstown police explained that the system is "to prevent crime and assist in a case." It is not for monitoring.

Pearlman concurred. "I don't think they will sit there and watch for something to happen," he said. "You will have the information in case you need it. You can access it if you need it."

Allen sees the system as a way to verify a disturbance when a call comes in. "It is a way for us to view what's going on prior to responding."

He said the police do respond to Champagne Heights routinely for service calls, misdemeanors and felonies.

"This is something the tenants have asked for. They would like the place to be as safe as possible," said Allen. "The system will allow the police to dispatch people and resources more efficiently."

The South Kingstown Police Department will meet with the housing authority this week to discuss a policy and reach agreement on using the surveillance system.

In the near future, Fournier Estates on High Street and the Village Gardens senior housing on Uncle Sam's Lane will likely follow suit, with surveillance linking to the police as well.

Steven Brown, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Rhode Island chapter, said the system "creates a potential of abuse and the notion of Big Brother that we should all be concerned about. I couldn't understand the compelling need for this type of system at the project."

While conceding the surveillance doesn't violate privacy rights, he said, "It's more of a public policy issue at this stage, if the cameras are focused on public areas."













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