New Haven increases camera surveillance

Police in New Haven, Connecticut, will install 21 new surveillance cameras around the city in and effort to further deter crime.

Police Chief Frank Limon responded to concerns that the initiative may become a civil liberties infringement. According to The Associated Press, cameras will be used to provide a 360 degree view of city streets and sidewalk and will not be used to look into windows of private residences.

The surveillance system will be paid for using Department of Homeland Security grants, and the first cameras are expected to be operating before the end of July.

According to the local NBC news affiliate, the city is dealing with a continued rash of violent crimes. There have been 18 killings so far in New Haven, already five more than the yearly total for 2009.

New Haven is just one of many cities turning to the passive monitoring technology to enhance safety and solve crimes. Privacy concerns will almost always be part of the conversation when deciding to implement surveillance, but many believe the security benefits outweigh the costs.

According to the Vancouver Sun, the Western Canadian city recently installed its own camera system despite initial protest from the mayor's office. The technology is now being used to identify perpetrators who incited riots in the wake of the Stanley Cup Finals.

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