Brooklyn Residents At Odds With DOT Over Surveillance Camera
NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Some Brooklyn residents who want to curb crime on their street by installing surveillance cameras say that the city is standing in their way.
Rich Rollison has a state-of-the-art security camera and nowhere to put it. Rollison told CBS 2's Mark Morgan that he and his neighbors on Warren Street in Boerum Hill have seen an increase in vandalism, plus a mugging in broad daylight.
"There have been people shot all around the neighborhood. We like to think a lot of it has to do with the drug dealers who frequent the area," he said.
Rollison said that he wants to mount two cameras on a light pole which is owned by the city, but that the Department of Transportation has nixed the idea.
DOT officials declined to be interviewed on camera but released a statement saying that,"the DOT does not allow private entities to attach this type of equipment to city property. Homeowners could consider mounting the equipment to their buildings."
But Rollison countered that the cameras need to be installed on a light pole because most houses on the street are behind trees, creating blind spots that would deem the cameras ineffective.
Long time resident Saundra Wallace said that the cameras would go a long way toward making her feel more comfortable in the neighborhood.
"Sometimes if I'm out late, nine, ten o'clock. I would feel more secure if the cameras are there in case something happens," she said.
Two years ago security cameras at the other end of the street helped solve a murder.
"Just the fact that people know that it's there, it would deter people who plan to do something erroneous on the block," said resident Duery Smith.
Smith told Morgan that he is confident that he and his neighbors will ultimately get the security cameras.
Councilman Stephen Levin weighed in on the issue Tuesday, adding that, "even the police have indicated that they think it's a good idea, and for the city DOT to say 'no, that's our street pole and you can't use it,' I think is really misguided policy."
Councilman Levin said he hopes to have residents meet with DOT officials soon
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