BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer
On Thursday, Tampa Police Captain Michael Baumaister made a presentation to the City Council on the use of the RNC cameras.
Capt. Baumaister said he’s happy to report that the cameras have been very effective in reducing illegal dumping, especially in the East Tampa community. He also explained how it is determined where the cameras are installed.
“The District Majors determine where the cameras are going to be placed, and we react to their request. They have primarily been used in areas of high crime, and we’ve seen a reduction in crime in those areas.”
Councilman Frank Reddick asked if the cameras were really playing a significant role in reducing cr“Using what’s happening in Chicago as an example, cameras were put everywhere the violent events have occurred, and if anything, the crime rate has increased. I also know that prostitution in Chicago has increased.
Capt. Baumaister said covert cameras were used in Rowlett Park to monitor activities, ad alleviate the need for an officer to be present.
Councilman Reddick said in his opinion, that’s an invasion of privacy, and people don’t want to be spied on when they are doing something recreationally or as a family.
“The cameras are put in the public areas, not where the rental shelters are,” said Capt. Baumaister.
“We’re trying to create a safe atmosphere. It’s a summer initiative, and we ask our commanders to come up with hot spots. The cameras are not permanent fixtures, ad have also been used to try to capture other illegal acts.”
On the issue of an invasion of privacy, City Attorney Rebecca Kirk said if you’re in a public park, you don’t have an expectation of privacy.
“When you’re out in public, people shouldn’t be surprised to see cameras.”
Councilman Reddick said as far as the cameras being put in parks, he does consider that an invasion of privacy, and he also said the act sounds like “a police state at our parks.”
The cameras have predominantly been used in the downtown area and in Ybor City. Some of the cameras are fixed, and others are mobile.
“The Majors ask about the high profile crime areas, and that’s where the cameras go,” said Capt. Baumaister.
“Any footage the cameras capture is kept for 30 days, then erased.”
