Rochester to install additional security cameras downtown
The Rochester City Council voted 6-1 Monday to put $200,000 toward the purchase of 17 additional security cameras downtown.
The cameras will be installed in “integrated locations” around the downtown, including in the Peace Plaza area, where work is now under way on phase one of Destination Medical Center’s Heart of the City project.
“We do think it’s a very important area to have [cameras],” said Deputy City Administrator Aaron Parrish. “It’s a very significant activity area; it’s a significant area of commercial activity; and, obviously, we are going to try to encourage a lot of programmatic activity there.”
The $200,000 for the camera expansion will come out of the city’s downtown abatement fund — and will cover the cost of the cameras, along with the necessary IT infrastructure and data storage capabilities.
Rochester Police supported the expansion of the downtown security network, stating that the additional cameras would be helpful in preventing crime, tracking down offenders, and assisting in other public safety efforts.
“It’s hard to manage big events, like Thursdays [Downtown], just by having so-called boots on the ground,” said Rochester Police Capt. Jeff Stilwell. “We believe this is a big part of the overlying safety plan for downtown, not only for crimes, but even for when people have medical emergencies.”
Council Member Nick Campion was the lone nay vote on the measure. Prior to the roll call, Campion suggested tabling the item until the council had more time to review data regarding the effectiveness of the existing camera program. He also suggested that the council discuss what its policy is regarding cameras before authorizing a new expenditure.
“It is not about the police, who do, frankly, a great job of trying to manage this,” said Campion. “But it is about, what is the policy of the city? And I am not sure where I would point at [regarding] what the policy of the city is.”
Per Campion’s request, the council is likely to bring the topic back for a study session later in the year. In the meantime, the new cameras are set to begin going up in conjunction with the Heart of the City construction.
“I like the idea of having cameras, and I think the timing makes sense to me,” said Council Member Shaun Palmer. “I think we have to work smarter, and I have talked to defense people, lawyers and prosecutors who said that having a camera and showing somebody a photo saying, ‘is this you and is this what you did?’ saves time, and saves detective time.”
Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.
Cover photo: File / Canva
