New Mobile Surveillance Cameras in Dallas Go Online
Four new mobile surveillance cameras in Dallas will be used to monitor events for the 50th Anniversary of the JFK assassination and the Dallas Marathon.
According to Dallas News, the four new mobile surveillance cameras on trailers were purchased through funds granted by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grant was worth $155,000.
Aside from the new mobile surveillance cameras, there are approximately 160 more surveillance cameras in Dallas, says CBS. 140 of these cameras are stationed in the downtown area while the remaining 20 are stationed elsewhere.
Unlike the federally funded mobile surveillance cameras, these 160 cameras come from donations and gathered funds. NBC News says that neighboring property owners and local businesses helped pay for the cost.
Dallas' city leaders want more surveillance cameras to aid the police department. Chief of Dallas Police, David Brown said: "Cameras in targeted areas, not violating any privacy, can be a way to make Dallas even safer." He claims that there are 27 more locations in need of surveillance cameras.
According to Brown, the overall crime rate in Dallas significantly decreased by 45% with the installation of surveillance cameras. Surveillance cameras were initially installed in 2007 through the help of donations from local businesses.
Although Brown claims that the overall crime rate in Dallas has decreased significantly since surveillance cameras were first introduced, council member Philip Kingston believes otherwise. According to Kingston, overall crime rates in major cities nationwide dropped significantly during those periods without regard for surveillance cameras.
Still, more surveillance cameras are on their way to Dallas with donations from organizations and private individuals. Safer Dallas or Better Dallas is expected to hand in their $300,000 donation later this month, says CBS News. An additional $350,000 will also be received next month from an anonymous donor.
NBC News says that 128 more fixed surveillance cameras have already been purchased and are waiting to be installed. The cameras will be placed in nine crime-ridden areas in the city.