Buffalo, N.Y., Announces Security Camera Pilot Program

Buffalo, N.Y., Mayor Byron W. Brown this morning announced the installation of a security camera pilot project that will test the technology prior to the installation of a citywide system. Mayor Brown was joined by Buffalo Police Commissioner H. McCarthy Gipson, Deputy Commissioner Dan Derenda, BPD Chief of Staff Joseph Strano and Captain Mark Makowski, who oversees all City Homeland Security matters.

"Today, as we move forward with the installation of a state-of-the-art security surveillance system, which will also contain an integrated high-speed wireless broadband component," said Mayor Brown. "This initiative is a priority of my administration as we continue to examine best practices and other methods to reduce crime and improve our residents' quality of life. The initial Pilot Project is scheduled to take place over 60 days, as we examine the technology of the camera system and determine its overall effectiveness."

Following the Pilot Project, the city will award a contract for the citywide system based on responses to an RFP that was issued in May.

It is expected that Phase I of the citywide system will include at least 50 cameras, which is funded through New York State Efficiency grants.

This "first of its kind" citywide system, the Buffalo Integrated Wireless and Intelligence System, is designed to assist the Buffalo Police Department in crime prevention, support the city's commercial districts by providing additional public safety support, enhance Buffalo's Homeland Security activities and provide city residents with free access to a high-speed broadband system.

"These high tech cameras will take crime fighting to a new level," said Commissioner Gipson. "Overall crime continues to decrease in the city of Buffalo and we feel these new cameras will make the Queen City even a safer place to live, work and visit. Criminals should now know that the 'eye in the sky' will always be watching."

"This Integrated Wireless and Intelligence System fulfills my commitment to provide our Police Department with the most advanced technology available, while providing our residents, business owners and visitors with a comprehensive security system that will make them even safer," said Brown. "This effort will further strengthen our Police Department's continuing effort to reduce crime across the city."

Violent crime has continued to decrease in the City of Buffalo. Through July, homicides are down in Buffalo by 40 percent versus the first seven months of 2006 (28 in '07 vs. 41 in '06).

This new high-tech system is another tactic being employed by the BPD in support of other ongoing initiatives, including the ongoing and successful Mobile Response Unit, which is a specialized anti-crime unit that targets areas of high crime, illegal guns, gang activity and drug trafficking throughout Buffalo.

"With overall crime in Buffalo down 7 percent in 2006 versus 2005, and the continuing decline in 2007, I am confident that our anti-crime efforts, enhanced by this new camera technology, will succeed," said Mayor Brown.