DC police gain access to private surveillance

A screen at police headquarters displays security video footage from downtown D.C. (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck)
Chief Cathy Lanier says police will use access to business security cameras during critical incidents, but they will not be monitored. (WTOP/Andrew Mollenbeck)
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Police in the District of Columbia are teaming up with a private security firm to dramatically increase the number of surveillance cameras available to investigators.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier announced the partnership with Kastle Systems Security on Friday. The Falls Church, Virginia-based firm will add 300 cameras used by local businesses to the Metropolitan Police Department’s network of 90 closed-circuit cameras. Kastle will also donate 1,000 cameras to businesses that want to participate in the program, known as Capital Shield.

Lanier stressed that officers will not be monitoring the cameras or recording the footage and that all of the cameras are trained on outdoor, public places. She says police will review the footage only when the video could be useful to enhance public safety.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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