MPDC Announces Planned Deployment of 12 More CCTV Cameras to Help Combat Crime in DC Neighborhboods - Releases

The Metropolitan Police Department today announced the planned deployment of 12 more Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras designed to help combat crime in District of Columbia neighborhoods. Installation of the 12 new cameras began on Monday and is expected to be completed by the end of the week, at which time the MPDC will have a total of 19 CCTV cameras for combating neighborhood crime.

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.

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.

The 12 new CCTV cameras are being deployed at the following locations:

§ 1200 block of Congress Street, SE (by 13^th Place, SE)

§ 2400-2500 blocks of Elvans Road, SE (by the cul-de-sac in the 2500 block)

§ 1700 block of Lincoln Road, NE (by Randolph Road, NE)

§ 1200 block of Meigs Place, NE (close to Montello Avenue, NE)

§ 2000 block of Maryland Avenue, NE (by 21^st Street, NE)

§ 1400 block of 7^th Street, NW (by O Street, NW)

§ 1400 block of R Street, NW (by Johnson Avenue, NW)

§ 3330 block of Georgia Avenue, NW (by Morton Street, NW)

§ 2400 block of 18th Street, NW (north of Belmont Street, NW, across from alley)

§ 100 block of M Street, NW (by First Place, NW)

§ 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW (at New Hampshire Avenue, NW)

§ 400 block of Kennedy Street, NW (by 5^th Street, NW)

Additional information about the MPDC’s use of Closed Circuit Television, including the locations of all neighborhood-based cameras, can be found on the MPDC website, www.mpdc.dc.gov/cctv.