THE CAMDEN CITY EYES IN THE SKY PROJECT - HELPING         TO  MAKE  CAMDEN SAFER FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the purpose of the Eye in the Sky (EIS) project?

    The purpose of the Camden City Eyes in the Sky Project is to reduce crime and public disorder and to improve quality of life by providing additional oversight of public spaces within the areas covered by the Eyes in the Sky Project.

What is involved in the EIS Project?

      Cameras monitor events on the streets in real time.  The video images are transmitted on a video line to the Police radio Dispatch room; the EIS Operator and the Radio room dispatcher assesses the incident and an appropriate police response is dispatched.

        A UEZ application has been submitted to hire 8 police officers along with an additional 4 from the police department to patrol business corridors.  Scheduling and assignment will be determined  by Uniform Operations Command.  It is estimated that the officers will be available one year after the approval of the grant and hiring process. (police academy and field training officer program)

Who are the individuals monitoring the Cameras?

    The cameras will be monitored by civilian personnel employed by the City of Camden and assigned to the Camden City Police Department.   All monitoring personnel will be trained as Special Law Enforcement Officer I to provide a basic law enforcement knowledge level and to assist in preparing the monitor to testify in court if need be.  The monitors  will be assigned to the Support Services Bureau Captain, the same bureau commander as police communications.

What are the costs for the EIS Project?

      A complete phase one project is just under 4 million dollars.  Some point in the near future we will have to make a decision based on available funding as to what is actually implemented.  (Monitoring station, head end locations and number of cameras)

Where will the cameras be located?

    During the initial phase the cameras will be located on Broadway, Haddon Avenue, Mount Ephraim Avenue, Federal Street, Westfield Aveneu and in Yorkship Square.

What happens when crime moves from these main streets to the neighborhood side streets?

    Displacement is a concern of the Camden Police Department.  The Camden Police Department will use available resources to address displacement in areas where it occurs.

When will the program be up and running?

    The program will be up and running six to nine months after the construction contract is awarded.

Do the cameras violate any civil liberties?

    No, the cameras allow the operators to patrol public areas via the camera.  Operators are prevented from observing events that occur inside residents by programming of "privacy zones" to block views into the windows.  Monitors cannot delete the software program to bloc out residential properties.

What is being done to insure accountability?

     A supervisor will be assigned to each shift to ensure accountability.  The monitoring station will have cameras monitoring the monitors.  This will be reviewed by the Support Services Captain to ensure complioance.  Confidentiality is a must and any monitor who releases information to the public  will be terminated.

What role will the community play?

    The community has played a role since the beginning of this project.  Members of the community have taken a leadership role on the development of the Camden City Code of Practice.  The community has also helped to identify camera locations for phase one.  Moving forward the role of the community is to provide oversight for the EIS project.  Again, the community will have leadership role in the oversight process.  An oversight committee consisting of representatives from all areas in Camden will review and respond to complaints/concerns related to the EIS program.

Will there be more cameras in Camden in the future?

     The system we are building is expandable.  Phase two will allow existing cameras at schools, hospitals, or businesses to be added to the system.  We will not monitor private areas of a school or business, only cameras that view public areas will be included.  Expansion of the system is based on funding and success of the program.

For More Information Cantact: