Security Camera Plans for Morningside
The MLPA Security Team continues to investigate the uses of cameras to address security issues in the neighborhood- specifically, the chronic car break-ins. A committee of interested neighbors put together plans to establish a network of cameras that effectively cover the neighborhood. The proposed network is designed to act as a deterrent for criminal activity and is comprised of 3 levels of camera coverage:
Level 1: Cameras Connected to the Atlanta Police Department
At the first level are license plate reader (LPR) cameras that are connected to and monitored 24 / 7 by officers in the Atlanta Police Department (APD). The Security Team works with the Police and the Atlanta Police Foundation to place LPR cameras at entrance intersections and main through streets in the neighborhood; the Foundation makes the final determination about locations. Due to the incredible generosity of Morningside Lenox Park neighbors and businesses, we have 11 LPR cameras installed in the neighborhood. Funding for the cameras includes the donations from neighbors and businesses plus matching funds placed at the Foundation by Council Member Alex Wan and monies from the City and the MLPA. All level 1 cameras are installed and maintained by the Foundation for 3 years and thereafter by the City.
In addition, businesses with specific types of cameras and software can pay a fee to be connected to the Video Integration Center. Most of the approximately 10,000 cameras currently connected to the Center are businesses from across the city– e.g., Georgia Aquarium, Coca Cola.
Level 2: Street-by-Street Cameras
At the second level, the Security Team envisions street-level, solar cameras that can capture license plate numbers. These rental cameras can be installed on selected streets as agreed upon by residents on the street. Monitoring could be done by MLPA Security Patrol officers, the APD, or some other entity as agreed upon by the residents. These cameras can be connected to the APD Video Integration Center.
Level 3: Home Security Cameras
At the third level are home security cameras. The committee recognizes the value of these systems to the neighborhood camera network but does not otherwise make recommendations. Home cameras can be registered with Connect Atlanta to help identify area cameras in case of an incident. An investigator from the Atlanta Police Department will contact you via email if they need your assistance solving a crime near you.
Camera registration through Connect Atlanta takes less than one minute via the secure online portal. Registering your cameras does not allow the Atlanta Police Department access to your live video stream – it only enables investigators to know a camera is present at your location and easily request video evidence should an incident occur.
Rationale
Car break-ins are the most frequently occurring crime in Morningside. The police say that the thieves who commit these crimes return again and again to neighborhoods where the action is profitable. They are looking for cash, guns, and electronics that can be sold for quick cash. Our goal is to make Morningside an unattractive place to visit for this activity. We can accomplish this in several ways:
-Clean Car Campaign: Remove all valuables − such as purses, cell phones, GPS navigation systems, laptops and tablet computers – from unattended vehicles.
-Cameras: Cameras can help police with identifying cars that do not belong in the neighborhood in the middle of the night. LPR cameras can read license plates and be programmed to recognize plates that belong to residents versus those from outside the neighborhood. LPR cameras can also be programmed to recognize stolen cars and stolen license plates. When an LPR detects a stolen car or tag, the officer on patrol who is nearby can be notified to investigate.
Just like the neighborhood can have a reputation among the thieves that it is a source of “good merch,” it can also have a reputation of having cameras that can provide leads to arrests.
