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Camera surveillance of downtown starts

A computer screen shows four different locations in downtown Springfield where cameras observe the goings on. Reminder Publications photo by G. Michael Dobbs
By G. Michael Dobbs

Managing Editor



SPRINGFIELD With just a few clicks of a mouse, Springfield Police Officer Carl Prairie zoomed the lens of one of the four new surveillance cameras now installed downtown to focus in on the top of a street lamp.

Police Commissioner Edward Flynn confirmed the new system, which was unveiled at a press conference on Thursday, could produce images of faces and licenses plates that could be accepted as evidence by courts.

Flynn was quick to note the new system, which will consist in its first phase of eight cameras located downtown in confidential locations, is not the last word in securing the streets, but a "helpful tool" and "useful silent witness."

The eight-camera system cost $150,000, $50,000 of which came from the members of the Springfield Business Improvement District. The rest of the funding came from the Police Department budget.

Flynn said the system was the result of a collaboration of many people in the city and credited Mayor Charles Ryan on providing "persistent and, at times, annoying advocacy" for the cameras.

The system is currently pre-set to immediately focus on certain downtown locations, including the intersection of Union and Main Streets; lower Worthington Street; the intersection of Liberty and Chestnut Streets; the entrance of the Amtrak Station; the intersection of Main and Worthington Streets; Boland Way; and the Mardi Gras Gentleman's Club.

Flynn said that no police personnel will be assigned to specifically monitor the images from the cameras, as that would require resources the Department does not have. He said there will be monitors installed so the watch commanders can see what is happening as well as monitors in the communications center.

Flynn said he expects a large number of people will be randomly watching the monitors each day. The system's strength, he explained, is it's recording of what is happening in the coverage area.

Ryan said the State Representative Cheryl Coakley-Rivera had started interest in the project by arranging for Flynn and Ryan to tour the camera operation of the Holyoke Police Department. One of the differences between the two systems is the Holyoke fiber optic system links the cameras to police headquarters, while the Springfield system is wireless.

Prairie explained one advantage of the wireless system is the ability to relocate the cameras if needed.

The system as it is installed will be upgraded along with patrol cars so the images from the cameras can be sent to the computer terminals in the cars, Prairie added.

Flynn said that after the next four cameras will be installed downtown, the Department will consider, on analysis of crime statistics, where future cameras would be placed.

"All things being equal, this is not an enormous [costing] program," Ryan said. "These are not budget-busters."