The Camera system that is being placed in the downtown area is strictly for crime prevention/reduction. This system is being based on a system that is currently in use in NortHamptonshire, England.
It is not to spy on the public or for the Merchants to keep track of customers/potential customers purchasing habits. The main goal is to make the downtown area safe for the public. If the downtown area is safe for the general public then this has the potential to increase customer/tourist traffic to the area, if you have increased the number of people visiting the downtown area, you would also increase the draw of merchants to the area (not to mention, increase of different types of food establishments). At present, downtown Minneapolis runs the risk of becoming like St. Paul, which is almost like a ghost town after 6 p.m. (with the exception of a hockey game or concert). On the weekends and holidays, there is just about no one to be seen walking around. I've read in the past on this forum, people complaining of bad elements that frequent the downtown area and how at times they are bothered by those pan handling. With the current budget cuts to the police department, this is one part of crime prevention that can be useful to free up officers to respond to more serious emergencies, be a more visible police presence and to better deal with law enforcement in the downtown area. As for the staffing of the video center, at this time, all I can say is that it will be staffed by a carefully selected group (not just any group either). Also as for the training of the staff of the center, it will be initially done by the Police department... Russell Sasaoka Coon Rapids (Formerly of Loring Park) REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
