The city of Stamford recently enacted an ordinance permitting the use of surveillance cameras for homeland security, law enforcement and crime prevention efforts in our community. Implementation could take the form of fixed cameras as well as cameras mounted in law enforcement vehicles. Public safety officials conducted a thorough and exhaustive study into the topic, including input from the public. After much consideration it was determined that the use of surveillance cameras would be an efficient and ultimately cost effective tool in homeland security, crime prevention and investigative efforts.

In fact, the use of surveillance cameras is one of the fasting growing trends in the industry. Stamford will join hundreds of municipalities in the world that utilize this technology to assist in law enforcement efforts. Several research studies, in conjunction with feedback from numerous cities that have deployed cameras, have shown that cameras have had an impact on deterring and detecting crime and in increasing conviction rates. The city of Stamford is confident that surveillance cameras will enhance our public safety efforts, thus making our community a safer place in which to live and work.

The city of Stamford, however, is sensitive to the inherent privacy concerns raised by this issue. To alleviate these concerns, the ordinance creates a public safety camera review committee to oversee the placement of the cameras and their use. This committee will consist of the director of public safety, health and welfare, the president of the board of representatives, two members of the public and myself. The committee will have oversight on recommendations made by the chief of police regarding camera deployment. The committee will also provide oversight to ensure that the surveillance system is being monitored strictly by authorized personnel and solely in the manner specified in the ordinance. Any deviation from this procedure will be strictly prohibited.

An additional oversight mechanism within the ordinance requires that a policy and procedure manual be adopted and approved by the director of public safety, health and welfare, the board of representatives, the police commission, the police chief and myself prior to any camera installation. This policy will address all aspects pertaining to the scope of camera usage, including operating procedures, monitoring objectives, procedures to report incidents, retention, extraction and storage procedures, as well as training and supervision of personnel. All of these procedures will be clearly defined in the policy and will serve to further ensure that all necessary precautions will be exercised to prevent any potential misuse.

Although the city of Stamford has consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the nation with a population of over 100,000 for several years, we are constantly researching new and innovative techniques to improve our public safety efforts. The implementation of surveillance cameras in strategically placed locations will undoubtedly enhance these efforts. It will also assist our police department in achieving its mission of protecting our citizens as well as improving their quality of life.

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