Sports blog: Stamford Sports Scene
Sign up for Breaking News Alerts!

STAMFORD

By CHASE WRIGHT

Hour Staff Writer


After nearly 18 months of drafting, the Board of Representatives approved a policy and procedures manual that sets guidelines on public surveillance cameras to be placed throughout the city.

The final manual went before the board at their monthly meeting on Monday, July 6, where lawmakers approved the packet with 28 members in favor and six opposed.

The manual spent nearly 18 months before the Public Health & Safety Committee, where it underwent numerous drafting, editing and redrafting.

"It's not perfect, but I believe this is a step in the right direction," said city Rep. Richard Lyons, D-1, chairman of the public safety committee.

The manual outlines the polices and procedures the Camera Review Committee must follow when approving the placement and use of cameras. The committee will be comprised of Stamford's mayor, the director of public safety, the president of the Board of Representatives and two members of the public appointed by the mayor.

William Callion, director of public safety, health and welfare, said cameras will give the police department an added ability to monitor and prevent crime in the city.

"This essentially gives us the ability to operate like every other police department in the world," said Callion. "I for one am excited that we're going to be taking Stamford into the 20th century with this technology."

No money has been budgeted for the cameras this year, he said. The city will seek grants to pay for Phase I of the installation, which calls for testing the cameras in temporary locations before deciding where they will be placed permanently.

While the cameras are necessary in a post-9/11 world, Callion said he recognizes the potential for abuse.

"If we follow the manual, we will eliminate the potential for abuse," he said.

Still, at least six board members were not convinced that the manual can avoid infringing on an individual citizen's privacy.

City Rep. Philip Berns, D-16, has been a voice of opposition to the cameras. He said the cost of violating a person's privacy and civil rights doesn't outweigh the potential benefits of having cameras throughout the city.

He cited a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin that says, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither."

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in The Stamford Times community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines. Basically, be civil, smart, on-topic and free from profanity. Don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read! And remember: We may miss some, so we need your help to police these comments. Please identify the comment, the story and why you think it's objectionable.
Read the commenting guidelines

Add a new comment