The Board of Estimates unanimously approved an amendment to the 2014 Executive Capital Budget at a meeting Monday that would more than triple the amount of money allotted to downtown surveillance cameras.
In the original $225.3 million budget, which includes funding for downtown infrastructure development and environmentally sustainable projects, Madison Mayor Paul Soglin designated $25,000 for surveillance cameras.
The amendment would provide an additional $53,000 to add surveillance cameras to high-traffic downtown locations and replace outdated cameras in the system, according to Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, who sponsored the amendment.
“I feel very strongly that our camera system has proven its worth over the years that we’ve had it, and I really think it’s an important tool in our public safety tool chest,” Verveer said at the meeting.
Verveer said the amendment would allow for at least 14 new cameras downtown including the Library Mall, Carroll Street and Langdon Street areas.
Ald. Lisa Subeck, District 1, asked Madison Police Department representatives to confirm footage captured on surveillance tapes would constitute public record and address concerns about privacy.
Acting Assistant Chief of Police Sue Williams said surveillance camera footage is public record, but investigators carefully examine footage to determine whether granting a records request would violate an individual’s privacy rights or put a crime victim at risk.
Ald. Scott Resnick, District 8, said surveillance camera footage has helped catch the perpetrators of crimes, pointing specifically to the shooting incident outside Johnny O’s Sports Lounge in May 2012 as an example.
“Crimes do happen,” Resnick said. “[Putting in additional cameras] is a strong measure to capture the criminals and have evidence to bring individuals to justice.”
The city added approximately 30 cameras to the downtown area with funding from the 2013 budget, seven of which were installed in the last month, according to Verveer.
Verveer said with the increase in surveillance cameras, more incidents like the recent thefts and muggings targeting University of Wisconsin-Madison students are being captured on video, which is “invaluable” to police investigators.
The Board of Estimates will recommend the budget to the Common Council, which will review and vote on it at a meeting in early November, Verveer said.
