Denver is participating in a beta test of a newly developed
graffiti surveillance system in an effort to mitigate the city's
graffiti problem.
The manufacturer has provided the Denver Police Department with
eight surveillance units, as well as training on set up and
installation, maintenance and 24-hour technical support.
The surveillance units notify law enforcement of graffiti crimes in
progress. When the video recording unit is activated by graffiti-related
motion, it sends real-time text alerts to designated mobile phones and
JPEG images to designated e-mail addresses, enabling law enforcement to
dispatch resources and catch taggers in the act. Video footage can also
be used as evidence against offenders.
Police Chief Gerry Whitman said the equipment can also help the
department reduce related crimes such as vandalism, theft and gang
activity.
The beta test supports the Graffiti Task Force's goal of
drastically reducing graffiti in Denver in the next three years through
prevention, abatement and enforcement. The task force was created by the
mayor following Denver's October, 2006 Graffiti Summit.
Details: Communications Specialist Sarah Moss at (720) 865-9016 or
Sarah.Moss@DenverGov.org
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