A new NYPD program which aims to install over 500 surveillance cameras in over 250 locations around the city in the next year kicked off with little fanfare in Bushwick last week. The cameras were positioned at three consecutive intersections on Knickerbocker Avenue. While the New York Civil Liberties Union is raising objections, it sounds like residents of Bushwick are willing to trade a sliver of their freedom for a big uptick in safety. “This is like having 24-hour police protection, and we need it,” said Alan Vera, a 27-year-old dispatcher at Bushwick Car Service on Knickerbocker Avenue. “The cameras are great because you never know when there’ s gonna to be a shootout over here,” said De los Santos. We’d be willing to make the same trade on Putnam and Grand.
Here’s Looking at You [NY Post]
NYPD to Add 500 Cameras [Boston Globe]