Mayor Brown Announces Enhancements To City Surveillance System

Video Demonstrates Coordinated Efforts of Camera System, Yields Arrest

Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced that visibility of the citywide 24-hour surveillance system is now enhanced through signage across the Chippewa Entertainment District. Mayor Brown and the Buffalo Police Department also released video footage that demonstrates a successful arrest and coordination between law enforcement and surveillance operators.

On Sunday, July 10, 2011 at approximately 1:00a.m., a city surveillance camera captured video footage of a suspect being arrested after police responded to call about a man with a knife just minutes before. The video shows collaboration between city 911 dispatchers, responding police officers, city camera surveillance controllers and officers on the ground working detail on Chippewa Entertainment District.

The city has begun to install signage in downtown Buffalo to make residents aware that 24-hour camera surveillance is being conducted for their safety.

“The signage will deter crime and let residents know that criminal behavior is being watched and we will respond,” said Mayor Brown. “We continue to examine methods to reduce crime and improve residents’ quality of life.”

The “first of its kind” citywide system, the Buffalo Integrated Wireless and Intelligence System assists the Buffalo Police Department in crime prevention, supports the city’s commercial districts by providing additional public safety support and enhances Buffalo’s Homeland Security activities. The placement of the cameras throughout the city is determined by Buffalo Police Department crime data and every Council District will be included in the system.

In August 2007, a Pilot Project for camera surveillance was installed with an integrated high sped wireless broadband component. The pilot examined the technology of the camera system and determined its overall effectiveness. In December 2007, Phase I of the surveillance camera initiative was launched. The portable surveillance camera was also announced, which provided an important added security component to the Buffalo Police Department’s oversight of large-scale public events. In April 2008, Phase II was announced, which brought the total number of cameras throughout the city to 100.