Dover police using eyes in the skies to solve crimes

130 city surveillance cameras can provide quick clues

By Craig Anderson
Posted 7/11/22

DOVER — City police used surveillance cameras to determine a suspect in a shooting last week.

In the incident Wednesday, the first camera displayed the suspect exiting a vehicle and discharging a firearm toward another, Dover police said.

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already a member? Log in to continue.   Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Dover police using eyes in the skies to solve crimes

130 city surveillance cameras can provide quick clues

Posted

DOVER — City police used surveillance cameras to determine a suspect in a shooting last week.

In the incident Wednesday, the first camera displayed the suspect exiting a vehicle and discharging a firearm toward another, Dover police said.

The targeted vehicle was struck by at least two rounds, and the suspect fled, according to authorities. Two adults and an infant inside were uninjured.

As the investigation continued, officers utilized a second, city-owned camera for more clues.

That video showed the suspect leaving a home about an hour before the shooting. He was seen returning to the residence a couple hours later, police said.

Fueled by the footage (the first coming from a non-city camera), police secured a search warrant and made four arrests. A firearm was found, along with clothing the suspect reportedly wore at the scene, authorities said.

As similar occurrences unfold in Dover, the value of more than 130 security cameras overhead continues to rise.

“I think that most everyone agrees that it is important to establish the facts when serious events occur,” Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson said. “Video images provide great information in the search for the truth.

“Video evidence is only one, often imperfect, piece of the larger investigation into serious matters, but it remains a great investigative aid.”

While spokesman Sgt. Mark Hoffman couldn’t quantify the cameras’ impact, he did say that “they have been instrumental in helping us identify suspects, suspect vehicles, solve and prevent crimes, and record incidents as they occur.”

Such was the case June 28, when two suspects were seen hurriedly exiting a stolen vehicle that crashed at Silver Lake Park, he said. Police publicly released the camera images as part of an ongoing investigation into recent thefts and attempted thefts of Hyundai Elantras and Sonatas around the capital city.

The images were shared July 3, and three juveniles were arrested in a stolen vehicle three days later. A probe into their possible connection to other incidents is ongoing, Sgt. Hoffman said.

These videos can be received by officers for review within minutes, if not seconds, he added.

And cameras have staved off crimes from escalating, as well. Sgt. Hoffman said that, several years ago, a number of people with firearms in the trunk of a vehicle were spotted via surveillance.

“Officers contacted the group and made arrests,” he said. “Evidence suggests that the suspects involved were about to commit a shooting.”

Plus, crimes of a lesser degree are regularly witnessed, Sgt. Hoffman said.

Funded by a variety of grants and other sources, Dover’s cameras have been present “for well over 10 years in different parts of the city. We have added more as funding opportunities allow, to include funding through grants,” he said.

The city contracts with Advantech for the surveillance system. The costs vary based on the camera type (stationary or pan-tilt-zoom), installation type and more.

While the cameras are spread throughout Dover, they’re most heavily positioned in the downtown area — all in plain sight and typically mounted to utility poles, Sgt. Hoffman said.

“Cameras are placed on public property and are mostly focused on common areas, such as streets, sidewalks, etc.,” he said, adding that “access to the cameras is restricted to the police department.”

Members and subscribers make this story possible.
You can help support non-partisan, community journalism.

x
X