The South Philly Review published Crime Beat column yesterday.
You can read the column via
the page above or the text below:
I recall visiting the Philadelphia Police Homicide Division when it was housed in the old “Roundhouse” police headquarters some years ago.
The old building at 8th and Race Steets was called the Roundhouse due its circular structure, which has been said to resemble a pair of handcuffs when seen from the sky.
Homicide detectives are considered the top-of-the-line investigators. I spoke to then-Lt. Mark Deegan in the crowded homicide division office, and he explained to me that the first thing homicide detectives do at a murder scene is look for residential and business cameras. Often the footage on the cameras aids the investigation by identifying the murderer.
Deegan stated that it was hard to get witnesses to a murder, as they often fear retaliation from armed and dangerous criminals, so cameras play an important role in homicide investigations.
“Cameras are the detectives’ eyes on the street,” Deegan said.
Cameras played an important role in identifying the two suspects in the recent murder of Billy Schmidt in South Philly.
Cameras also aid the police in lesser crimes such as theft from autos and vandalism. Although these and other lesser crimes are far less serious than murder, these quality-of-life crimes infuriate residents.
Which brings me to the Philadelphia Police Department’s SafeCam Program.
“SafeCam is one of the
Philadelphia Police Department's contemporary crime prevention and
investigation tools that demonstrate the effectiveness of partnerships between
police and the community,” the Philadelphia Police state on their website. “Registering
your camera not only helps deter crime but assists the Department in its
overall crime prevention strategy in your neighborhood. Protect yourself, your
family and your community by registering with SafeCam.”
According to the Philadelphia Police registration is simple
and only takes about 10 minutes to complete.
“You will provide basic information and tell us where your
cameras are located. There is no cost associated with registration and your
information is confidential. You may delete your registration at any time. After
registering, you will receive a confirmation email at the address you provided.
This email serves as proof of your registration and can be printed or forwarded
as needed. Keep it for your records in case you need to reference your
registration in the future. You will only be contacted by the Philadelphia
Police Department in the future if there is a criminal incident in the vicinity
of your security camera. Police personnel, if necessary, may request a copy of
any video captured by your camera, which may assist in the investigation of a
crime.”
You can register via the link below:
Safecam Registration |
Philadelphia Police Department (PPD)
The
Philadelphia Police state that the goal of the SafeCam program is to deter
crime and promote public safety through partnerships and collaboration between
the Philadelphia Police Department and the communities they serve. SafeCam
helps the police identify potential cameras in the community that could help
with an investigation if a crime or incident occurs in the vicinity. SafeCam is
strictly a registration program.
By
registering your cameras, you agree to the following terms and
conditions:
1.
Philadelphia Police Department may contact you
directly, using the information you have provided, to request appropriate
surveillance footage as it relates to a crime or incident that may have
occurred near your property.
2.
Any footage containing or related to criminal
activity may be collected by the Philadelphia Police Department for use in an
investigation or as evidence during any stage of a criminal proceeding.
3.
Relevant information is reserved for official use by
the Philadelphia Police Department and will not be released to any member of the general public or to the media.
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