CINCINNATI (FOX19) - The Cincinnati Police have increased their number of public safety cameras from 34 to 47 by adding new cameras in Over-the-Rhine and College Hill.
Here is a police release on how the expansion came about and what they are doing with the cameras:
Eight new public safety cameras are now operational in Over-the-Rhine and five others in College Hill, so that there are now 47 cameras in eight neighborhoods and downtown’ s central business district connected to the Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). Department personnel monitor the cameras as they perform other investigative functions, and they can assist officers on the scene of an active incident. The cameras are funded with grant money and private donations. The College Hill Community Redevelopment Corporation, College Hill Business Association and the College Hill Forum worked with the Police Department to bring the new cameras to their community. Factors determining camera locations are criminal activity, community input, officer input, available funding and connectivity access.
The new cameras’ benefit to public safety was demonstrated almost immediately. Just a few hours after they came online last week, an investigator in the RTCC observed suspicious activity at a location in Over the Rhine. This information was relayed to officers in the field, who saw the person believed to be dealing drugs. After a short foot pursuit, the person was taken into custody and found to be in possession of a loaded firearm and illegal prescription drugs. Neighborhood safety cameras have aided in many similar arrest efforts since 2009 when the Police Department began its citywide public safety camera project.
Data Integration Section Commander Captain Mike Neville said, “These successes would not be possible without financial support from government and private entities. Community input and the assistance of other City departments have certainly aided the efforts of Police Department personnel, and we look forward to building this system for years to come to help in making our communities safe.”
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