FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 25, 2005
Contact: Barbara LoMoriello, Legislative Aide -- #(631) 854-4500

Huntington Business Leaders Call for Use of Police Surveillance Cameras to Fight Crime
Support Comes in Wake of Recent Terrorist Attacks in London

In the wake of the identification of the terrorist bombers in London through the use of surveillance cameras, Huntington business leaders and local elected officials gathered today at the Huntington Station Branch of the Huntington Public Library to voice their support for Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper’s proposed "Safe Communities Initiative." This innovative program would install police surveillance cameras on public streets in high-crime areas of the Town of Huntington as a 12-month pilot program. Proponents claim that this technology can be used successfully to deter crime and help apprehend criminals.

The first step of this process would be to create a 10-member Safe Communities Initiative Task Force that would analyze surveillance camera programs already in use by dozens of cities across the nation. They would then recommend the most appropriate technologies and protocols for use in Suffolk County. The broad-based task force would include representatives of the Suffolk Police Commissioner, the Police Benevolent Association, the District Attorney, the County Legislature, the County Executive, the Long Island Progressive Coalition, the Long Island Association and the NAACP.

After the tragic terrorist attacks that took place recently in London, the police were able to quickly identify all four suicide bombers through the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. Many U.S. cities and towns have already implemented surveillance camera programs that are operating successfully. For example, New York City has an extensive security camera system in place, and is looking to add hundreds more cameras around the city. Chicago’s surveillance program has resulted in a 17% drop in street crime in the target areas. Baltimore and Los Angeles have both shown dramatic decreases in crime since their installation of security cameras (25% and 29%, respectively). And the manager of the CCTV program in Jersey City reported a nearly 90% reduction in street crime in the neighborhoods where the cameras were installed.

In this post-September 11 world, many people see surveillance cameras as an essential tool in fighting terror, foreign or domestic. In fact, a 2004 Reader’s Digest Family Index survey found that 69 percent of respondents approved the placing of security cameras in public places.

Michael Forbes, President and CEO of the Nassau Suffolk Chamber of Commerce at Huntington, said "Legislator Cooper's well-placed initiative is good for the community and for business. We encourage his colleagues to embrace this measure of security and to make it a reality."

Using Business Improvement District (BID) funds, the Huntington Station BID has already installed a video camera system that is up and running in parts of Huntington Station. The system can be monitored live or can be set to scan the area and record the data for later viewing. "The members of the Huntington Station Business Improvement District are pleased to present this five-camera video security system to all the business owners and residents of Huntington Station," said Brad Rosen, Treasurer of the Huntington Station BID. "The BID will continue to grow this system over the next few years, and we back Legislator Cooper 110% for all his efforts to implement a countywide program."

Cooper’s security camera resolution was first introduced in the Suffolk County Legislature on March 15th. However, the bill has languished in the Public Safety Committee for four months without any action being taken.

"The goal of the ‘Safe Communities Initiative’ is to reduce crime in Suffolk County," said Cooper. "Law enforcement experts have reported that surveillance cameras can deter crime, and the tragic events in London have shown that this technology can be used to identify and apprehend criminals. I hope that my legislative colleagues will allow a vote on my resolution at next month’s general meeting of the County Legislature. The people of Suffolk County deserve to know that every possible step is being taken to keep their streets safe."