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The Daily OrangeThe Hill is watching you: DPS installs 168 cameras, footage to be reviewed if incident reported
By Maria Qualtere
Posted: 10/8/09, 4:08 AM EST Section: News
After the completion of the Department of Public Safety's latest long-term project, the Hill has eyes.
A video-surveillance system was installed in all Syracuse University residence halls and one academic building this past summer after two years of planning.
The surveillance system has been used in at least one investigation so far this year, said Michael Kearns, DPS technical service manager. Kearns declined to comment on the specific instance that the footage was used.
There are 168 new cameras on campus, said DPS Chief Tony Callisto in a recently released statement.
The cameras, which are positioned at each residence hall's entrance and exit, and at Hinds Hall, are recording at all times, Kearns said. However, they are not the result of the recent spike in criminal activity on campus, he said.
Kearns said a system like this one is important to have, especially in light of recent situations.
"It's a known deterrent and it also is a huge investigative tool for trying to solve crimes that have occurred and tracking suspects down," he said.
DPS met with SU's Risk Management Department and Information and Technology Services approximately two years ago and realized there was a need to enhance the awareness of physical safety needs for the student population, said Jenny Gluck, director of academic applications and service centers for ITS.
Gluck said that after surveying a dozen different colleges about video surveillance programs, the three groups did an analysis of what it would take to implement one at SU. After coming up with a master plan, they realized they could not afford a complete system.
"We thought, 'OK, what's most important to us? What matters most is the safety of the students, so what would it take to do this part?'" Gluck said. "Our students live here, so we want to make sure they're safe, and we can address things as is possible."
The university settled on a phase-in approach, with residence halls getting first priority.
A video-surveillance system was installed in all Syracuse University residence halls and one academic building this past summer after two years of planning.
The surveillance system has been used in at least one investigation so far this year, said Michael Kearns, DPS technical service manager. Kearns declined to comment on the specific instance that the footage was used.
There are 168 new cameras on campus, said DPS Chief Tony Callisto in a recently released statement.
The cameras, which are positioned at each residence hall's entrance and exit, and at Hinds Hall, are recording at all times, Kearns said. However, they are not the result of the recent spike in criminal activity on campus, he said.
Kearns said a system like this one is important to have, especially in light of recent situations.
"It's a known deterrent and it also is a huge investigative tool for trying to solve crimes that have occurred and tracking suspects down," he said.
DPS met with SU's Risk Management Department and Information and Technology Services approximately two years ago and realized there was a need to enhance the awareness of physical safety needs for the student population, said Jenny Gluck, director of academic applications and service centers for ITS.
Gluck said that after surveying a dozen different colleges about video surveillance programs, the three groups did an analysis of what it would take to implement one at SU. After coming up with a master plan, they realized they could not afford a complete system.
"We thought, 'OK, what's most important to us? What matters most is the safety of the students, so what would it take to do this part?'" Gluck said. "Our students live here, so we want to make sure they're safe, and we can address things as is possible."
The university settled on a phase-in approach, with residence halls getting first priority.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
brownt218
Tom Brown
posted 10/08/09 @ 8:15 AM EST
I wish the story included the price tag for this surveillance system. I have some doubts about the priorities for the cameras. Wouldn't it make more sense to deploy them to protect SU's mainframe computers, bookstore, library and any labs doing high-security work? For anti-terrorism purposes, couldn't SU get some homeland security money to put cameras in the stadium, fieldhouse, theaters and other venues with large crowds? With the heavy traffic going in and out of residence halls, it will be hard to pinpoint any intruders except the few who might enter at 4 or 5 a. (Continued…)
nomadofthehills
John
posted 10/08/09 @ 10:48 AM EST
This seems like a waste of money, and as the article stated, makes no one safer. How many violent crimes happen in the dorms? How many happen outside at night? "Phase two" should have been priority number one. (Continued…)
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