Portland, Ore., Police Receive Approval to Deploy CCTV Cameras on Private Property
PORTLAND, Ore. — The city council here voted 4-1 on Wednesday to allow police the authority to deploy video surveillance cameras in the city’s Old Town and Chinatown areas in an effort to reduce drug dealing and other nuisance crimes.
The approval will allow video surveillance cameras to be installed on private buildings, giving police officers the ability to monitor drug deals on certain sidewalks, intersections and other public spaces. Language in the ordinance indemnifies building owners from liability for cameras installed on their property, Robert King, Portland Police Public Information Officer, tells SSI.
The program had been opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon and Portland Copwatch, among other groups. They argued that surveillance cameras are ineffective at reducing crime and violate the privacy of citizens who are not breaking the law.
Several Old Town business owners previously testified in support of the surveillance program, saying it would help reduce crime in their neighborhoods, which have long been plagued by drug-related problems, according to the Portland Tribune.
Prior to Wednesday’s vote, Portland Police Chief Mike Reese presented a directive governing the new surveillance program to prevent police from using the cameras to violate the rights of law-abiding citizens. Only police officers “with a need to know or with investigative, administrative or management responsibility” will be approved to view video footage taken by the cameras. All recordings will be destroyed or deleted within 30 days, unless being used in a criminal investigation or prosecution.
Portland has for years implemented video surveillance in other areas of the city, King says. The police department purchases the parts and assembles its own camera units, as well as handles the installation. Police have previously used video surveillance footage from privately owned cameras in several cases, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB). Police Chief Reese said on OPB’s Think Out Loud program that a new set of cameras installed on private buildings would expand the bureau’s reach in a high-crime area.
“It gives police a good tool to monitor these hotspots, so when we have officers in the area they don’t have to just drive by and see if crime’s occurring,” Reese said. “They can pull it up on their mobile digital computer in the car.”
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