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An AMNew York article delves into the neighborhood and tactical thoughts behind NYPD sky watch towers. The towers have four digital cameras, a spotlight, and a place for a cop to observe what's happening from two stories above the sidewalk. Reaction to the sky watches has been mixed.
Crown Heights Community Board 10 chairman Emil Clark said, "People that had been living in the neighborhood forever were concerned that maybe this was for the people who were moving in, to protect them. They were like, 'Why didn't you all put this in here two years ago, when people were killing each other?' And I don't know if it deters crime. If you have a criminal mind, you just move down the block." But a restaurant owner said the Crown Heights tower is useful: "That corner is a problem area -- there's a lot of shooting, drug trafficking. I'd like to have sidewalk seating, and having the tower makes it a lot easier."
The NYPD claims the placement of towers does not correlate with new luxury condos popping up the neighborhoods and hope to have a total of five which would rotate neighborhoods (they've been in Harlem, the Upper East Side, Shea Stadium, and Queens besides Crown Heights).
Razor Apple has a graphic of how the sky watch collapses for transport (lasers not included). If you're interested in the perspective of an NYPD cop walking a beat in a troubled area, check out the book Blue Blood. And ICX Tactical Platforms, which makes the towers, also makes similar units for border patrol.
Photograph of a sky watch tower in Brooklyn by ranjit on Flickr
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this just reminds me of all those futuristic movies and how the entire world is constantly being surveillanced by the government.
this plus all the pictures from those online maps now... all helpful steps in safety and knowledge, but where is the line in privacy?
Put one of this on 6th Street and 2nd Avenue. That way the cops will be able to monitor the other cops who are stealing bicycles. However, the video cameras will have to go as the cops don't seem to like it when you tape them.
they need something like this on the boulevard of death in queens. there should be electronic monitoring of speed, automatic ticket if speed limit or red lights are run, if the license plate comes up as lapsed registration or insurance, have a nearby police car to do a stop . these street homicides by car have t be dealt with.
To deter crime cops need to be on the street with the rest of us. I know it's scary Officers, but it is your job and you've at least got a gun.
One was at 89/Columbus for a few days. It actually creeped me out, because I didn't know there was something to keep on eye on there.