‘Citizen Virtual Patrol’ now a reality in the USA

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The largest city in New Jersey has launched a computerized, live streaming surveillance program intended to deter crime and build a partnership between law enforcement and the people they protect.

“They get an opportunity to look at what’s going on in their neighborhood,” said Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka, who unveiled the Citizen Virtual Patrol last Thursday. “A suspicious car, individuals that are there who shouldn’t be there, a robbery that may have taken place, folks that are out on the corner selling drugs, anything of that nature.”

“Residents can do it on their desktops and iPads,” said Anthony Ambrose, Newark Public Safety Director. “October 1 they’ll be able to do it on their phones.”

Officials said plans are underway to more than double the number of locations monitored on the digital neighborhood watch system.

“This invaluable technology puts a real-time crime reporting tool in the hands of every concerned community member,” Baraka said. “It corroborates their story, helps us make an arrest, or possibly prevents something from taking place before it actually happens.”

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