The next time someone commits a crime in the Uptown area, someone else may be watching.
The Uptown Association has taken the next step toward safety with the installation of 11 surveillance cameras that watch the McKinney Avenue area, extending from north Pearl Street to Blackburn Street, totaling the surveillance cameras in the Downtown Dallas area to 107.
“These new police cameras have been very effective in solving crime. As far as seeing cameras in every neighborhood, it is neither practical nor needed. You want to use your resources in the best place possible to show the best effect,” Lt. Anthony Crawford said.
The Uptown Association wanted these cameras installed because of the success the Downtown Dallas area has had in reducing crime. This request was made even though there have not been any outstanding issues in the area.
The Meadows Foundation funded the 40 cameras installed through the downtown area. The foundation later donated all the equipment to the city of Dallas. The most recent addition in the Uptown area was completed with the help of private donors on Oct. 28.
Both downtown and Uptown cameras are monitored by the police department all day. Crime rates have decreased 10 percent in all areas that are being closely watched by police cameras.
Crawford said, “The number of arrests from Jan. 1 to Nov. 10 totaled 1,375 with the help of police cameras.”
The cameras are installed in a way that does not violate the public’s right to privacy. The position of every camera allows it to view downward on the city’s streets and not upward towards residents’ windows.
“Each camera is installed in a high location and is capable of a 360-degree view and could read license plates up to two blocks away,” Crawford said.
All videos for each camera are recorded, and once a specific elapsed time has been reached, all recordings are then re-recorded. The public is not made aware of the exact elapsed time because it would make it easier for criminals to commit crimes. If a crime takes place, a copy of the recording is made as evidence of the incident.
“I think the use of these cameras is a good thing. Just last week, I saw two car windows broken into. This makes me so mad. Hopefully, if there’s a camera in sight, it will prevent a crime from taking place,” said Uptown resident Robert Beckman.
Ray Wright said, “About time, if people know they are being watched they are less likely to get in trouble.”
Crawford said, “The Dallas area will continue to slowly expand the use of cameras through ‘tag areas,’ which are considered the top 25 neighborhoods, where crime rates are higher than the rest of the city.”
