By Alberto Suris
On Monday, December 3, a community meeting was held at the Lawrence Public Library where the Lawrence police chief, Roy Vasque, explained, using a map of the City of Lawrence, the key points where they are located. Next to him were Eric Johnson, Project Manager, Lan-Tel Communication; John Grennon, Community Business Development and Dewars Vazquez, Systems Coordinator.
Chief Vasque offered an overview of the cameras being installed, 73 in total, at 34 major sites based on the recommendation of the Somerville Police Department.
According to the guidelines, all the cameras will be installed on public utility poles, fixed in blue boxes and will be directed only to vehicular and pedestrian traffic associated with the main roads.
The images captured by the cameras will be transmitted only to the Lawrence Police Department. No image will be transmitted to any other agency, including but not limited to the State Police or any other Federal Agency.
The ACLU position that video surveillance has not proven to be effective was discussed. According to Chief Vasque, every day in the Commonwealth the videos will be used after an incident to expand the investigation or the crime committed.
Other complaints from ACLU are that the system is susceptible to abuse, also the lack of controls on the use of the cameras and finally, that the cameras will give a chilling effect on the public.
Responding to these doubts, Chief Vasque made it clear that the videos will be transmitted and kept safe in the Central Police Station. Chief Vasque also clarified that all cameras are being installed in public places and their operation is strictly controlled by the Police Department. At the Police Station, “We will not have anyone watching the monitors, only in case of an accident or a crime, the police investigators would go to study the content of the video,” he added.
In his talk, Chief Vasque pointed out that structures such as the Lawrence airport, the central fire station, the water and sewage plant, the bus terminal, and the police station itself are amongst the buildings are protected against crime with the camera system.