Published: December 10, 2007 11:58 am      

Extra Set Of Eyes

Police watching in more city locations

CUMBERLAND - The Cumberland Police Department plans to place a few more real-time cameras at various locations in the Queen City as part of its continuing effort to enhance public safety.

"These cameras are valuable as investigative tools as well as real-time recording that aids us in our response to the scene," said Capt. Kevin Ogle, the department's operations supervisor.

Fixed-mount cameras that record 24 hours, seven days a week are situated at each corner of the Public Safety Building on Bedford Street; in the Queen City Drive pedestrian underpass; in downtown Cumberland atop the Cumberland Arms building and on the roof of the Business Resource Center; on buildings in the 700 block of Maryland Avenue; and at Virginia Avenue and Third Street.

About a month ago, a camera was mounted on a traffic light at the busy intersection of Oldtown Road, Virginia and Maryland avenues, and Lamont Street to monitor activity on those streets. The first cameras in the city were installed within the last two years.

Additional locations are planned at the Centre Street playground in the 500 block of North Centre Street and the 400 block of Henderson Avenue.

And that's not all.

"We would like to have a mobile camera that we can move from location to location as needed," said Ogle.

"For example, if we have disturbances or problems in a particular section of the city, we could set up this camera."

All the cameras are monitored at city police headquarters and at the Allegany County 911 Joint Communications Division by police dispatchers.

The cameras, which have pan, tilt and zoom capabilities, are recording around the clock and recordings are stored for about 45 days. The cameras can be operated by supervisors at the police station and at the 911 center and are operated through Allconet, a local government Internet system.

"We can watch live footage at all times," said Jon Daddysman, city information technology technician who assisted with installation and setup of the camera and monitor system.

"The cameras give our citizens a greater sense of security, and if something does happen, it's all recorded as evidence that we can look back and review," said Daddysman.

Although the cameras have been in use in the city for a few years, apparently there have been no complaints about cameras. "We've had no complaints. The neighborhood watch groups wanted these cameras. They assisted the department in selecting some of the locations," said Ogle.

Cumberland is just one of many cities throughout the country and the world that now rely on real-time camera surveillance. The widespread use by cities and law enforcement took off after the terrorism of Sept. 11, 2001.

However, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a 25-page report titled "Under the Watchful Eye" that concludes that public surveillance programs should be stopped until they are evaluated thoroughly.

The report stated that cities across the nation are using surveillance cameras with almost no public debate and few adopted policies of how the data will be used.

Ogle said the cameras in the city are used "mostly as investigative tools."

"We're not using these cameras to watch the general public. There is no one sitting in front of a bank of monitors observing what is happening real-time on these cameras.

"So we don't see a need for a regulating policy at this time. And there are no plans to assign personnel to monitor these cameras 24/7," said Ogle.

Funds for the cameras were derived from grant monies and the police department's operating budget. The price of a single camera can be as much as several thousand dollars.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.