New surveillance cameras will be installed soon at theintersection of Ruffner Avenue and Washington Street East, an areanotorious for criminal activity.
The new cameras will be put up in response to a recent spike incriminal activity in the area, most notably a car shooting lastweek, said Charleston Police Sgt. Steve Cooper.
"The recent spike has prompted us to decide to install additionalsurveillance cameras in the area in an effort to make the potentialcrime element less comfortable," Cooper said. "We are alsoincreasing the amount of time walking beats patrols in the area toinclude later hours, and beefing up other types of patrol as well."
"We want criminals to know they are being watched at all timesand that we are not going to tolerate the recent spike in (criminal)activity, including intimidation, prostitution and drug dealing," hecontinued.
Cooper said the logistics are still being worked out, but heanticipates several overt cameras being placed right at theintersection to overlook both streets and all businesses.
One overt camera already hangs from the top of the old RooseveltJunior High School on Ruffner Avenue, but Cooper said there still isa need for more.
"We want to increase the angles and number of cameras," he said.
He said the cameras would run constantly.
Two other surveillance cameras already capture activity in twoundisclosed areas in the city; one in Kanawha City and the other onthe West Side.
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones has made it clear he considerssurveillance an important part of public safety and deterring crime.
Jones has done research and even visited other cities to gathermore information and ideas to learn the positive effects cameras canhave.
Cooper said several other areas in the city eventually will havesurveillance, but he considers the problem area of Ruffner-Washington a spot deserving of fast response.
"There are several areas that are already under surveillance, butthis area will be heavily focused on," Cooper said.
"We want the criminal element there to understand that we areshutting down their operations," he said.
Three people were arrested last week connected with the carshooting at the 1400 block of Washington Street East, he said.
And although the victims were able to identify them, police arenot always that fortunate and witnesses are not always willing togive statements.
Last summer a 17-year-old male was shot to death on Lewis Street,near the problem area of Ruffner and Washington.
Charleston Police Sgt. Aaron James said several people who wereon the street in the area at the time of the shooting denied seeinganything.
He said some people confessed they were scared to speak up.
The crime has still not been solved.
Cameras placed in problem areas could hopefully deter futurecrimes from happening, or give law enforcement aid in aninvestigation, Cooper said.
"These cameras will serve as a constant reminder, even when apolice cruiser is not there, that we are watching."
Contact writer Zack Pettit at zack.pettit@dailymail.com or 348-4850.
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