How effective are security cameras in Palm Springs?
A dozen city-owned security cameras sit perched on light posts and buildings around Palm Springs.
Police say they were first installed in the 90s and updated five years ago thanks to a $150,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
But police admit the cameras aren’t perfect.
“If the camera was working, the position or angle, and even the time of day. Some cameras do not function well at night,” said Sgt. Harvey Reed of Palm Springs Police.
People who live and work in the city find the news discouraging.
“They should have cameras working and they should have something to depend on not just an excuse, oh it doesn’t work,” said Wally Shargawi who lives near downtown Palm Springs.
Residents are especially concerned in light of recent crimes that happened near some of the cameras.
Police say they’re looking at footage as part of the investigation involving the 15-year-old girl who reported being abducted and sexually assaulted near downtown.
“It’s possible surveillance cameras, regardless of location, may have captured the vehicle we’re looking for. That’s one part of this investigation,” Sgt Reed said.
There are no cameras in the immediate area where the girl was found. The closest is at the intersection of Palm Canyon and Ramon, but the camera is not facing the intersection.
“Sometimes it’s pure bad luck that the camera isn’t pointing in the right direction,” said Sgt. Reed.
“what does it take to have a couple more cameras in the right directions?” said Shargawi.
Still, police stand by the technology even when we asked this:
News Channel 3: “Should people feel safer because those cameras are there even though those cameras may not be working, they may not be pointing in the right direction, and it might be nighttime and they might not be able to see anything?”
“Historically, cameras have been proven to be a deterrent to crime and also assist in the solving of criminal acts so overall they are a positive asset to the community,” said Sgt. Reed.
