By Dalia Diaz
As a way of modernizing and fighting crime, the Lawrence Police Department has installed 110 surveillance cameras at a cost of $300,000.
Chief Vasque was certain to thank the city council for providing the necessary funding. “We couldn’t have done it without their cooperation approving the monies from the city’s reserve funds,” he said during his opening.
Video cameras are the way to solve crimes being committed. He explained how 2 weeks earlier they were able to solve a bank robbery using cameras in neighboring homes and businesses. The same that week where there was a case of arson.
“Besides, visitors feel more secured coming to Lawrence with the protection these cameras offer,” the Chief added. And he wants all residents of Lawrence to feel equally confident.
The work has been delayed due to the gas explosions but they are finally on track.
The reason for the opposition to the use of surveillance cameras was the fear that they will be use to spy on residents. To that, the chief explained how they are being placed on poles and traffic lights covering a wide area at intersections and that the videos will be saved for only 30 days.
When asked about who will be manning the cameras and who will have access to videos, Chief Vasque explained that there are two officers in charge of viewing the videos. “That will happen only when a crime is committed; we can check the intersection or area where it happened and use it as evidence, if needed,” he ended before inviting the members of the press gathered to see the monitors at work.
The question of why the surveillance cameras were installed before approving the policy ruling their use never came up.
