D.C. Police Propose Camera Surveillance In High Crime Areas

NBC 4
Mar. 17, 2006

District police are asking for permission to install surveillance cameras in high crime neighborhoods of Washington.

Authorities currently have limited use of cameras posted around the city. They are asking the D.C. Council to have more installed across the District.

Police said the cameras help them investigate and solve crimes. However, others worry about the violation of privacy rights of citizens.

D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey said limited camera use in high crime areas is a benefit to worried communities.

"I think there have to be safe guards put in place. I don't have a problem with that at all. There would just be a specific period of time that the tape has to be maintained," said Ramsey. "Certainly they're able to go back when a crime is committed and see what kind of evidence they have on video."

Deputy Mayor of Public Safety in Washington, Ed Reiskin, has been working on legislation that would authorize three or more pilot projects to check the claim that cameras contain crime and help police.

"I think what we're probably going to propose is maybe up to three locations. So, a very, very limited basis," said Reiskin.

The controversy surrounding a gradual increase in cameras could spark a battle within the D.C. council. Former Judiciary Committee Chairman Kathy Patterson said elected leaders ought to keep a close watch over police cameras.

"I'd probably would be open to that, but I think it has to be legislated. I'm not sure there should be just police regulations and I don't think I'm particularly open to broadening the authority of the chief," said Patterson.

"I think they should have standards of where they put them. And not just go put them some place just to put them someplace," said D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry.

Officials of the local American Civil Liberties Union said random public cameras aren't the answer because better policing is.

"It's really a question of 'cops or cameras,' because cameras are not cheap. The money that you spend on cameras, mind you, the people have to be watching these monitors," said Steve Block of the ACLU legislative council.

Some residents have said they agree with installing the cameras around the city.

The D.C. Council plans to hold public hearings on any proposal by police to expand the use of surveillance cameras.