The Video
Crime Watch Area Project is here to set out new tools and ideas
to help neighborhoods and governments set up video
crime watch areas to prevent crime.
By videotaping main entrances, exits, and important areas in parks,
neighborhoods, etc., vehicle type, color, and license plates will be
recorded with time and date of entrance and exit. In the event of a
crime, this will provide police with leads and probable cause for
investigation as well as being circumstantial evidence in court.
These areas will appear less attractive to, and will be less vulnerable
to crime. With recorded evidence of criminal acts, we will be more able
to prosecute criminals. Video Crime Watch Areas will make it difficult
to commit a crime and escape in a car without leaving clear evidence.
Also, an important part of this project is to creatively use more
inexpensive things such as fake camera boxes, street signs,
motion-sensing lights on camera boxes, etc., to repel criminals from an
area where they could risk being "caught on camera". And not paying
unbelievable prices (like $15,000 per camera- which the government seems
to think it needs to spend- find that at a Best Buy!) when you can buy a
camera on line (at www.x10.com) for $69!
The unspeakable crimes that occur regularly in our parks and cities must
be fought against.
1984 was great educational FICTION, but almost 20 years since then
murder, rape, violence, robbery, arson, terrorism, illegal dumping, etc.
continue to really exist day-to-day in all too real, destructive, and
personally horrible REALITY.
No one wants to have to deal with such things as surveillance,
criminals, the added expense of crime and crime prevention, etc., but
for now- wouldn't it be a good investment to protect ourselves the best
we can? A focused effort for (say) a five-year period would make a huge
difference in our safety, (property values and (thereby) tax revenues if
cost is the point), and reduce the horrible nightmare that these
criminals impact our lives with.
The only reason crime succeeds is that criminals escape without being
caught. The one thing powerful enough to stop criminals is irrefutable
evidence in a court of law.
The Video Crime Watch Area is a new tool to get evidence to STOP CRIME!
TO SET UP A VIDEO CRIME WATCH AREA
Point the camera at the best location for monitoring. Connect the line
out of a video camera to the line in of a VCR. Set the VCR input to line
in. By using 10 hr tapes and recording at Extended Play (EP or SLP)
speed all car types and colors, license plates, pick-up loads, people,
etc. can be recorded entering and exiting an area by re-recording or
changing tapes on the VCR 2x a day. Cameras can be purchased for between
$69 at www.x10.com and $200-$350 or so at a Best Buy and VCR's (if you
don't have one already) are less than $100.
Put up VIDEO CRIME WATCH AREA signs, or NEIGHBORHOOD VIDEO CRIME WATCH
AREA signs. I will mail or email you a number of pre-designed signs if
you want, or you can visit or call See-More Signs at 816/ 523-3131 or
www.seemoresigns.net
- They're great and the cheapest I've found.
A community/neighborhood patrol with a video camera would be a strong
deterrent in high problem areas. Also, put up camera boxes and fake
camera boxes in appropriate places. Please consult with and respect your
neighbors!
I have ideas on some legal regulations that I think should be
implemented. Even so, many pre-video technology laws are already
applicable such as: right to be free from unreasonable search and
seizure, right of the accused to confront their accuser in a court of
law, the checks and balances that freedom of speech, freedom of the
press, due process of law, and the publicity of the internet gives.
These and other things can provide for us protection from the power to
invade privacy that video technology creates.
VIDEO CRIME WATCH OBJECTIVES
To have much safer and
cleaner neighborhoods and parks.
To powerfully threaten criminals and deter them from using public roads
and parkways.
To help law enforcement with objective, hard legal evidence of illegal
actions.
To foster investment in KCMO by ensuring safety.
To aid police by providing leads for investigation in serious crimes-
(videotape of car types, plates, time and date provide evidence of
grounds for
probable cause to investigate and to get search warrants.)
To help law enforcement officials in court- providing legal evidence on
videotape to them
will help efficiency of prosecution and in obtaining quicker guilty
pleas in discovery.
To increase public support and perceived sense of effectiveness of KCPD.
To provide "officer in a can" to the KCPD and the KCMO Environmental
Crimes Unit.
To stop illegal dumping.
To nurture a stronger sense of safety through Video Crime Watch Area
warnings on TV.
Using warnings on TV to educate and motivate the public to be aware
of the possible recording of evidence of criminal acts when in public
use areas.
To make criminals aware that people will catch them on TV.
Teach that evidence recorded on TV will surely lead to convictions that
will be
more difficult to escape in a court of law.
INITIAL TARGETS
Organize conceptual summits between police, prosecutors, legislators,
city council,
Mayor's office, neighborhood org. heads. Coordinate between police,
neighborhood
org. heads for implementation.
Coordinate between groups like Move Up and area police to identify high
crime areas.
Work up better logo, video logo and street signs.
Set up full media plan inc; TV psa's, radio spots, print ads, newspaper
stories, etc.
Develop technically current, specific laws to govern both practice and
application
of recording. Set up simple legal guidelines for police, prosecutors,
judges,
neighborhood orgs, individuals, (rules of evidence, custodial chain of
evidence, etc)
and publish it in a simple brochure.
Clarify rules for video evidence that is to be publicly accessible - in
terms of legal
privacy rights related to video tape for broadcast, investigate and
publish info on
this and other ethical issues on website.
Set up tough laws that protect investments in recording tools (from
vandalism and theft).
Organize payment schedule between KCPL and Streets and Traffic.
Organize the technically best electrical supply for camera drops
(whether to use standard service drops from transformers with
weatherhead, etc., or 110v 15amp leg from streetlights and traffic
signals like Christmas lights, or feed from private elec. source).
VCWA COSTS
VCWA signs: 12" x 18": $25 ea. (non-reflective)
Empty camera boxes: $125 ea
Area-cam assembly: (see detail) $147 ea- includes camera, VCR, tapes and
cables
Plate-cam assembly: (see detail) $277 ea- better camera for detail, VCR,
tapes and cables
Power supply:
1) 110v tapped off of streetlight or traffic signal
(like as for Christmas lights): (see detail) apprx $30
2) Standard drop from transformer: (see detail) $135
The VIDEO CRIME WATCH AREA website is already running-
(no additional cost)
Public Service Announcements run between free to $60 -$1000 ea :30 sec
spot on TV (depending on time of day, channel, etc) Radio spots are much
cheaper,
and can be gotten for free easier.
These and other avenues of education will be funded as budget allows.
Please feel free to email me at
evansmalley@yahoo.com
if you would like
more information. My home phone number is (816) 363-TUNE
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