If you're a taxpayer, you have the right to know how the city is spending YOUR money. From time to time, we will tell you what absurd decisions are being made and answer the question... Where's the Money?m
DDS has learned that West Mifflin has recently installed a camera system in their police department. Including cameras with sound, the cost was a little over $3,000. In Duquesne, the cost to the taxpayer to install a camera system in the police station that the chief can watch from home exceeded $30,000!
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Ironic that a new camera system has us asking the question "What's wrong with this picture?"
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16 comments:
Anybody care to wager (perhaps with Scotty) that the camera system was purchased from an "old friend" of Lefty?
Now that softball season is over, the leftster needs to fill his evenings.
Lefty sitting at home watching live pictures of the officers at the station, now that's just creepy!
I've heard of municipalities (including Pittsburgh) installing special cameras in the community at selected locations to solve and deter crimes. That seems like a much better investment, since it benefits the public at large.
I don't understand why something like that is needed inside a police station. When police officers are hired, they are trusted with an enormous amount of authority and responsibility. Assuming that the city conducted the hiring process properly and thoroughly screened the candidates before hiring, why would a "$30,000" camera system be necessary to watch their every move? Cameras in a police station are not a bad idea, but after all that I have read on this blog, the city's police administration can't even afford to fix cars much less afford a "$30,000" camera system. I have seen elaborate camera systems that cost less than $10,000. This does not seem fiscally responsible and even worse it sounds like the taxpayers are footing the bill for administration's whims. Businesses normally put up cameras to deter crime and to keep employees and customers safe. Can anyone explain why cameras would be needed inside a police station. The only logical thing I can think of would be to film prisoners in the lockup or in the room where the breathalyzer is like you see on reality TV.
This is bad timing in my opinion for the city to do something so high profile so soon after the fired police officers got their jobs back. I hope there are nothing but good intentions with this new camera sytem. If the cameras are being used to create undue stress for those that won their case, I would say that is unethical and potentially creates a hostile work environment. Once again, I'm hoping this is not the case.
I would like to see an article in the local paper about the city's new and very costly expenditure. I'm sure a reporter could ask all the right questions and get the information to the public. I'm sure that wouldn't be too much to ask, since the city government's objective is to be responsible and transparent right?
Just my opinion. Good day to all.
Thank you for saying what I wish I could have put so eloquently. In this economy where taxpayers are struggling to keep their heads above water (not to mention the city's shaky financial status). This is not the type of publicity these city officials want. It doesn't matter what the explaination is, it's simply irresponsible. $30,000 is a new police car, a new officer, new guns for the whole department, upgraded computers, computers in the cars as I have seen most departments have, money to fund officers for extra duty targeting drug hot spots, your pick of any new police technology to help fight crime, and the possibilities are endless.
Incase anyone forgot what we are talking about: The police department just got a new $30,000 camera system for INSIDE the police department that can be monitored live from someone's home.
I hope this bit of information is brought to the bargaining table when the city wants to cut officer's benefits or ask for a pay freeze. . .and I'll be sure to remind a politician of this when he talks to me about how the police are being unreasonable because the city doesn't have the money to give what they are asking for.
The other concern with this system: How secure is it? What if criminals gain access to it. Is it wise to have a live video feed of the inside of the police station. It would be a criminal's dream to access such a resource. Think about it. . .you'll be able to see what the police are doing in the station such as gearing up for a search warrant or one may even catch a glimpse of some sensitive information, not to mention the fact that victims and witnesses will be monitored as well.
Are there any other thoughts on this? These are just concerns that come to mind.
Does anyone else have anything else have anything constructive to add? The chat doesn't have to end just because someone starts making sense. If you're truly indignant, then lets hear what you think. It doesn't have to be about personal issues all the time. It's either right or it's wrong. Which way are you leaning and why?
Hello all,
Being a life long resident of Duquesne I have a question that I've been dying to ask, I know its not one of the important questions, but its important to me. Being a tax payer in the city "Why do our officers constantly drive dirty police vehicles?" I mean I understand that in the winter they would be dirty because of the little salt that the city puts down (barely any) but the new camera's could capture a good picture of the accident. Oh wait thats right they are inside the station when they should be outside on our officers vehicles and on the streets where drugs fly freely. But who washes the police vehicle? Or do they not even get washed? Police should be clean and look professional and who could look up to a officer when the vehicle he comes from looks like a pigsty? Thanks for listening.
In regards to the officers in the city. Are they required to arrest a certain number of people or wrire a certain amount of tixkets?
As i drive through town, I always see the same 3 or 4 cops having people pulled over.
why dont Duqesne participate in the weed and seed program like Mckeesport do where state cops assist local police?
I would say that seeing the same 3 or 4 police officers stopping cars would mean that those officers consistently stop cars. Would you explain how that implies or eludes to there being a quota system? I'm even more curious about how this relates to the topic which is. . ."HOW ARE THEY SPENDING YOUR MONEY?"
Duquesne doesn't participate in Weed n Seed because the last thing that Lefty, Scotty or Stubby want is to invite the State Police into town. The staties may see all the dirty shit that our own people pull!
Hell, the gang doesnt want the PSP in there NOR will they allow DANET into town - or let me re-phrase - NOR will they (Lefty/Scotty) 'work with' DANET. It must be nice to have such a nice little Roman Empire....hope your walls crumble soon!
My hope is that the current administration understands what has been revealed and makes good.
It's one thing to say, "We have problems, who doesn't?"
It's quite another to do little or nothing about them. I witnessed two open drug sales YESTERDAY LATE AFTERNOON - one on Grant Avenue and Meadow at 5:30 pm and the other down by the Credit Union/POLICE DEPARTMENT MOMENTS LATER.
I don't want cameras installed on the streets, but $30k may have been better spent outside the station rather than inside.
I'd like to know more about $3k in West Mifflin vs $30k in Duquesne.
Are there any similarities here?
http://elizabethboro.com/discb/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=14239
the similiarity is the mon valley is rooted in small town politics and old school mayors and police chiefs who think they are the kings of their respective 1 or 2 square miles.
West Mifflin needs a page like this to educate the public about all the crap going on there! A Chief, or should I say politician, his Councilwoman wife, nepotism, perjury, low morale, Officers afraid to make arrests because they fear suspensions or worse, firings, etc. If West Mifflin taxpayers only knew how their Police Deaprtment was being run into the ground by an arrogant, non Chief, they would be just as outraged as the citizens of Duquesne are!!!!
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