The Metropolitan Police Department has announced the planned deployment of three more Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras designed to help combat crime in District of Columbia neighborhoods.
CCTV cameras are being deployed at the following locations:
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5300 block of Clay Terrace, NE (positioned in the 5300 block of Dix Street, NE)
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4400 block of Quarles Street, NE (in the alley between 45th Street and Kenilworth Avenue, NE
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Unit block of K Street, NW
In addition, the interim camera previously deployed in the 400 block of O Street, NW, is being upgraded and relocated to 5th and O Streets, NW.
In selecting locations for CCTV cameras, the Chief of Police is required by law to consider calls for police service, reported crimes and other public safety indicators, as well as recommendations or requests from Advisory Neighborhood Commissions and civic or citizen associations. The Chief also considers public housing developments in Hot Spot areas.
The use of CCTV cameras for crime-fighting purposes is permitted under the Enhanced Crime Prevention and Abatement Emergency Amendment Act of 2006, which the DC Council passed and Mayor Anthony A. Williams signed in July. The cameras, which focus on public space only, are “passively monitored” by the MPD, meaning that officers generally will not be watching the camera feeds in real time. Rather, camera images will be recorded and then reviewed by police if there are reports of criminal activity in the area.
The MPD now has seven CCTV cameras to help fight crime in DC neighborhoods. Plans call for approximately four dozen neighborhood cameras to be installed by the end of September. The neighborhood cameras can be deployed during the 90 days in which the emergency legislation is in effect. Extending their use beyond that time would require further action by the Council.
Additional information about the MPD’s use of Closed Circuit Television, including the locations of all neighborhood-based cameras, can be found on the MPD website, www.mpdc.dc.gov/cctv.