The City of Toledo Police Deapartment with the complicity Toledo City Council is purchasing $914,000 worth of security cameras to place around the city. These are the same people who earlier chose to spend $208,000 on nine Harley-Davidson motorcycles to reinstate a police motorcycle unit that had been discontinued in 2004 because of budgetary constraints. Apparently, in 2012 the city has no budgetary constraints. We will have fewer police officers on the street in 2012, but we will have our police toys. Also, this is the same police department that needed a mounted police unit, only to dismantle it a few years later.
Why stop with Harleys and cameras? Perhaps we could purchase a few drone aircraft to keep an eye on the city? And while we're at it, why not get us an aircraft carrier equipped with Blackhawk helicopters for the Maumee River?
As for the motorcycles, it is interesting that Toledo is purchasing new Harleys while other departments across the country are eliminating motorcycle units. Why not purchase the used ones that are already equipped from the cities getting rid of them? Just a thought. Might cost significantly less. Then, in a few, years when we decide we don't need motorcycles, the loss would not be as significant.
As for the $914,000 cameras, it is more than just a matter of dollars and cents. Anyone who has read and understood George Orwell's 1984 can appreciate the concerns about Big Brother. Even ignoring the issues of privacy, the effectiveness of these cameras is highly suspect.
Defenders of these cameras suggest they are necessary in stopping and solving crime. However, a study of London's widespread use of CCTV cameras found that "for every 1,000 cameras installed, only one crime has been solved." The study also found that the cameras were useful in catching "just 8 of 269 suspected robberies." The report also found " that while cameras could have a marked effect on reducing vehicle crime, there was little evidence they prevented violent crime."
"Meta-analyses from the UK, along with preliminary findings from the US, indicate strongly that video
surveillance has little to no positive impact on crime." (ACLU)
In addition, some police suspect that the presence of cameras simply moves crime from a camera area to a nearby area. Also, the London study found that increasing street illumination was more effective than cameras in reducing illegal activities. Perhaps Toledo would get more bang for its buck if it would replace burnt-out street lights and actually increase street lighting in high-crime areas. Ironically this city cannot keep the lights on one of its signature bridges lit, but wants to spend money on Harleys and cameras.
Personally, I can understand the police department's fascination with toys, but I don't purchase toys when I can't replace the light bulbs in my home.
P.S. Some one will point out that the city may be able to acquire a "grant" to cover the cost of these toys, as though a "grant' is manna from heaven. The last time I checked the "grant' is still taxpayers' money
(The London Report is from the August 14, 2002, Home Office Study. Other detail derived from The Toledo Blade.)
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