NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- North Chicago has deployed four overt, customized, Sony surveillance cameras around the city to help police officers fight crime. These portable cameras are wirelessly networked using Motorola's Canopy technology allowing the data to be sent to city hall and other areas.
"We will continue to leverage technology to move our city forward," said North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham, Jr.
The units are mounted on city poles and equipped with the ability to capture activity from blocks away. The goal of this project is to change behavior and create a visible crime deterrent. "When criminals know they are being watched, they change their behavior," said Police Chief Mike Newsome.
Each unit is marked with a blue light to indicate its presence. Officers manipulate surveillance equipment from remote locations through the use of the computers in the squad cars. The equipment can also be controlled at city hall.
"The camera software alerts the city of irregular activity," said Deb Waszak, Chief of Staff. "For example, if three people congregate on a specific street corner, the software will send a visual alert to the dispatch center and squad cars."
North Chicago authorities said criminal activity declined in the areas of camera deployment including an 80 percent decrease in loitering, 63 percent decrease in criminal damage, 35 percent decrease in burglary, and a 33 percent decrease in drug related offenses.
Funding for the project was provided by an AT&T Foundation grant.
About North Chicago: Located between Chicago and Milwaukee, North Chicago is on the shores of Lake Michigan and home to the only training center in the world for United States Navy recruits. Over 500,000 people a year come to the city to visit the Naval Station, VA Hospital, Abbott and Jelly Belly. The city's population is 35,918. http://www.northchicago.org/
City of North Chicago
CONTACT: Mayor's Office of the City of North Chicago, +1-847-596-8610
Web site: http://www.northchicago.org/
