Camera-based alley monitoring in the news

FlashCam-530

In a June entry "Should camera-based alley monitoring be considered for DC? ", I discussed stationary cameras monitoring alleys and/or other places, in an attempt to head off illegal activity. It was sparked by an article in the Detroit News, "Cameras may capture dumping: Detroit and Inkster crack down on graffiti and illegal trash with high-tech Flash-Cams" which I sent around to some people in the neighborhood concerned about problems in alleys--before writing the blog entry.

Through a lot of work by a lot of people including the local ANC Commissioner Joe Fengler and other concerned citizens, as well as Deputy Mayor Ed Reiskin and other city officials, the City has created a pilot program to explore this in a systematic way. Part of the additional "give and take" required to make this happen is covered in the blog entry "More on police monitoring cameras ."

The launch of this program is discussed, but with a focus on the fine revenue generation angle, in today's Washington Times, in the article "Revenue cameras to pursue dumpers."

One of the things that I appreciate about living in DC is that while it is a "big city," it is small enough a place for individuals to make a difference.