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The Daily OrangeEdit | Use DPS surveillance system wisely
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Posted: 10/17/07, 2:20 AM EST Section: Opinion
A new, extensive video surveillance system on campus, as detailed in today's Daily Orange, provides the Department of Public Safety with an additional tool to ensure student well-being. However, DPS must make sure its officers use the system for safety purposes, not to enforce minor violations.
The plan - which is still in its early stages and would be phased-in over the next five to 10 years - calls for the use of video cameras that feed live footage of public places to dispatchers when activated by particular actions (including doors opening, swiping ID cards and people hiding behind cars in parking lots).
Michael Kearns, DPS manager of technology and security services, told The D.O. that the exact number of cameras that will be used for surveillance is not yet known, and it will ultimately depend on how much funding DPS receives. No figures were available to propose how much the program will cost.
Kearns suggested that Syracuse University needs more than 1,000 cameras to cover the entire campus.
Currently, SU utilizes more than 100 cameras to watch areas around The Warehouse, computer labs and residence halls. Nearly all of these cameras record footage on either a VHS or DVD as opposed to showing live action.
DPS identified 11 locations around campus that would use the new cameras. These locations include entrances and exits for residence halls, garages, parking lots and walkways. Hopefully DPS included portions of South Campus among the 11 locations identified.
Ever-present eyes on vulnerable locations, like those mentioned above, can deter crimes from happening - assuming dispatchers study the screens vigilantly.
Furthermore, the video provides visual evidence that DPS officers can use to identify suspects when crimes do occur. Such a capability would have come in handy Monday when a stranger allegedly tried to open a dorm room door with a folding knife in DellPlain Hall.
Two questions remain unanswered with the plan.
The plan - which is still in its early stages and would be phased-in over the next five to 10 years - calls for the use of video cameras that feed live footage of public places to dispatchers when activated by particular actions (including doors opening, swiping ID cards and people hiding behind cars in parking lots).
Michael Kearns, DPS manager of technology and security services, told The D.O. that the exact number of cameras that will be used for surveillance is not yet known, and it will ultimately depend on how much funding DPS receives. No figures were available to propose how much the program will cost.
Kearns suggested that Syracuse University needs more than 1,000 cameras to cover the entire campus.
Currently, SU utilizes more than 100 cameras to watch areas around The Warehouse, computer labs and residence halls. Nearly all of these cameras record footage on either a VHS or DVD as opposed to showing live action.
DPS identified 11 locations around campus that would use the new cameras. These locations include entrances and exits for residence halls, garages, parking lots and walkways. Hopefully DPS included portions of South Campus among the 11 locations identified.
Ever-present eyes on vulnerable locations, like those mentioned above, can deter crimes from happening - assuming dispatchers study the screens vigilantly.
Furthermore, the video provides visual evidence that DPS officers can use to identify suspects when crimes do occur. Such a capability would have come in handy Monday when a stranger allegedly tried to open a dorm room door with a folding knife in DellPlain Hall.
Two questions remain unanswered with the plan.
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