Chief of Police Cathy L. Lanier announced today the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is deploying an additional Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) camera in at North Capitol Street and Seaton Place, NW.  This latest installation brings the number of neighborhood crime cameras in the District to 73.
 
The cameras, which focus on public space only, will operate 24 hours a day. Cameras may be actively monitored. Camera images will be recorded and then reviewed by police if there are reports of criminal activity in the area. Generally, video recordings will be maintained by the MPD for 10 days, unless the Department knows that the recordings contain evidence of criminal activity or an occurrence that may subject the MPD to civil liability. In these instances, the recordings will be maintained until final disposition of each case. The CCTV cameras are not equipped with audio overhear capabilities
 
The use of CCTV cameras to help fight crime in DC neighborhoods is permitted under DC Municipal Regulations, Title 24 Public Space & Safety - Chapter 25 Metropolitan Police Department Use of Closed Circuit Television. 
 
The MPD has issued policies and procedures to comply with the regulations. For example, CCTV will be used only to observe locations that are in public view where the courts have held there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. The cameras will not target or track individuals arbitrarily or based on race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or other classifications protected by law. In addition, the cameras will not focus on hand bills, flyers or other materials distributed or carried pursuant to the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
 
Additional information about the MPD's use of Closed Circuit Television can be found on the MPD website, www.mpdc.dc.gov/cctv.