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New Rochelle Police Use Surveillance Footage To Nab Suspects

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – By utilizing a series of nearly 50 surveillance cameras that have been strategically placed throughout the city over the past year, officials with the New Rochelle Police Department are reporting that they are cutting down on crime courtesy of Big Brother.

Tech expert Nick Massaregli explaining how the New Rochelle surveillance system works.

Tech expert Nick Massaregli explaining how the New Rochelle surveillance system works.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
New Rochelle police officials said that the cameras have proven invaluable in their first year of use.

New Rochelle police officials said that the cameras have proven invaluable in their first year of use.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
The video feeds available to New Rochelle police.

The video feeds available to New Rochelle police.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla
New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson discussing the importance of the police surveillance system.

New Rochelle Mayor Noam Bramson discussing the importance of the police surveillance system.

Photo Credit: Zak Failla

New Rochelle police officers have been utilizing the cameras, which have been placed in 37 carefully researched locations, since December of 2013. The cameras have allowed police to review the details of crimes after the fact, and have allowed officers to intervene in ongoing crimes.

The system of cameras, which is completely wireless and shoots in 1080p high definition, gives police a unique advantage over criminals, as desk sergeants can track a crime in progress, feeding information and directions to officers in a radio car.

“The cameras give officers and the desk sergeants an assist in any situation. They’re able to help out there without actually being on the streets,” Police Commissioner Patrick Carroll said. 

Tech expert Nick Massaregli demonstrated how the surveillance system works on Thursday, showcasing its high definition picture and ability to back track over what had been previously recorded to search for suspicious activity. There are a variety of different cameras on the street, some that can pan and tilt, some that can zoom for miles and others that are in a fixed position in densely populated areas.

The cameras take such a sharp photo that officers can clearly identify license plates on moving cars with a few clicks of a mouse.

“New Rochelle is one of the safest cities of its size in America,” Mayor Noam Bramson said. “This is due in no small part to our brothers in blue, who we could never replace, but these cameras can help investigate and solve crimes.”

Surveillance cameras have already paid large dividends for the department. Capt. Joseph Schaller recounted a pair of cases that involved use of he cameras. In one police were able to apprehend a group of shooters in the Bronx and in another officers saw a drive-by in action and were able to trace the steps of the driver until he was arrested.

“One of the first things we consider in any case is the cameras,” he said. “Video is used in prosecution, and more often than not, once they see (the crimes) unfolding in front of them, they (suspects) usually see the light.”

Carroll said that implementing the cameras and linking them with city cameras and the future red light traffic cameras, will conclude “phase one” of the program before the summer. “Phase two” will include integrating the public sector and adding cameras already installed at car dealerships and major retail locations to the system already in place to give Big Brother more eyes in the sky.

“By the end of phase one, all radio cars will have access to the video feed to see if there is anything going on,” he said. “It’s just a matter of getting all the kinks out of our system before we can open it up.” 

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