14 New HALO Cameras Installed In Civic Center Park
DENVER (CBS4) - Denver police will soon have extra sets of eyes to prevent crime in one of the city's busiest parks.
The department, along with Denver Parks and Recreation, installed 14 cameras in Civic Center Park. They're called "HALO," or High Activity Location Observation cameras.
The aim is stopping drug deals, robberies and attacks in the park.
"That's why I don't come down here pretty much after dark because I don't feel safe," park visitor Cody Villarreal said.
It's a sentiment that Denver Parks and Rec is trying to change about the iconic although often times avoided park.
"Denver police I think will tell you they've seen an increase in reported crime in Civic Center Park for the first six, seven months of this year compared to last year," Jeff Green with Parks And Rec said.
HALO cameras can be found all over the city and are monitored by the Denver Police Department.
More than $15 million has been invested in beautifying the park and officials consider the cameras added insurance on that investment.
"The cameras themselves and the installation and everything was about $47,000," Green said.
The park's visitors say the surrounding attractions are a great reason to visit.
"You have a beautiful fountain, you have downtown, you're close to 16th Street Mall, you have the art museum over here," Villarreal said. "It would be nice to at least walk around here and feel safe where you're at and not being hassled by drug dealers or homeless people, which I think is the biggest concern."
The camera will be activated sometime this week.
