More cameras on way to monitor public downtown spaces

Jun. 22—A request to add 17 cameras to monitor downtown public spaces was approved Monday amid some lingering questions.

"I'm really torn on this," Rochester City Council member Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick said, shortly before joining the 5-1 vote to spend $200,000 on cameras and related equipment.

Fellow council member Nick Campion opposed the purchase, citing concerns about how the purchase was proposed and the lack of clarity surrounding goals for monitoring the downtown area.

"I have a boatload of questions about this that aren't answered in any way," he said, asking whether there was evidence that the cameras help solve crimes.

"I don't know what the deficit is in the current system that is being addressed," he added.

While surveillance camera video is reportedly part of the investigation into the recent fatal shooting of 28-year-old Todd Lorne Banks Jr., Rochester Police Capt. Jeff Stilwell said the main intent for added cameras isn't crime solving.

"We believe this is a big part of the overlying safety plan for downtown, not only for crimes but even when people have medical emergencies," he said. "Our dispatchers can pull up a camera, direct people — officers or firefighters or paramedics — right to where the problem is."

He said the cameras allow policing of a large area during downtown events without putting an officer on each corner.

"It does (help with) managing crowds in the downtown area and making people feel safe," he said, adding that they can also deter crime.

With more people heading to downtown following a year of restricted activity, council member Molly Dennis said neighbors and business owners have told her the added cameras are wanted.

"I think this is a needed time for this," she said, adding that she has spoken to police to ensure facial-recognition software would not be included.

Police Lt. Jon Turk said the city has 300 to 400 cameras that can be used to monitor activity throughout the city, but they include security cameras in city buildings and other areas. He said the outdoor cameras installed downtown are unique because they need to be able to withstand weather conditions.

"We have commercial grade cameras in those locations," he said, adding that the project cost will also include added digital storage to keep video for at least 30 days.

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What happened: The Rochester City Council approved spending $200,000 for 17 additional cameras to downtown Rochester.

Why does this matter: The city plans to add more surveillance cameras in public spaces with the hopes of preventing crime and enhancing public safety.

What's next: The cameras with be purchased with plans for installation later this year.

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Stillwell noted the timing of the project comes with new construction downtown, which makes it easier to install.

"It's a lot harder to add cameras after something is done," he said, adding that the locations are chosen based on activity and available viewpoints.

City project manager Josh Johnsen said the Peace Plaza project, along with the planned autonomous downtown shuttle project, means the fiber optic network needed to connect cameras has grown.

Council member Patrick Keane said one of his initial concerns was about protection of the data the cameras collect. However, research alleviated his concern.

"I think the data is correctly protected, which was one of my concerns with this," he said

While other council members joined in supporting the purchase, which will use part of the city's nearly $7 million downtown abatement fund, several joined Campion in saying more discussion is needed regarding camera policies.

City Administrator Alison Zelms said the conversation could be broad or focused on specific areas.

"There's a couple different aspects of policy related to this," she said, noting data practices related to sharing video and how the information is used by the city are some aspects that could be discussed in the future.