The Remote Monitoring Station consists of 136 surveillance cameras. Watch video
GLOUCESTER TWP. -- A young girl goes down a slide, gets up and runs across a playground. Across town, a guy in his girlfriend's SUV does donuts in a parking lot, causing a considerable amount of damage in the process.
The 136 surveillance cameras of the Remote Monitoring Station now operated by the Gloucester Township Police Department (GTPD) captured both events -- but its only the latter they are on the lookout for.
"These are public places we have invested a lot of money in," township Mayor David Mayer said, adding that the new technology will "enhance public safety" by getting "more eyes on the ground."
Here are five takeaways of the new system that the GTPD showed off at its department headquarters on Wednesday.
1) What it does: The real-time video feeds come from both visible and concealed surveillance cameras or mobile trailers placed in many township parks and on township property. According to the police department, the system that can call up live camera feeds and recordings made weeks to months back was "designed to promote greater community and officer safety."
2) How it has grown: Det. Charles Dougherty, seated before a computer and television screens showing the camera feeds, said the information is transmitted via 4G wireless signal or a Comcast Business Internet signal. The system's growth beyond previously-placed cameras into two computers, networking, wiring and service providers cost an already-budgeted $16,000.
3) How it can be used: Despite a 35 percent reduction in overall crime in Gloucester Township since 2010, GTPD Chief Harry Earle said the Remote Monitoring Station will ensure timely responses. The motion-activated cameras will also alert police upon activation, letting them decide early what the law enforcement response should be. Dougherty added that the department has explored the possibility of placing the cameras on traffic lights at high-volume intersections to get a better idea of an accident before sending units. Saved recordings can also be used to "prove or disprove" certain claims by civilians, Doughterty said.
4) How it could come up short: The Remote Monitoring Station won't be staffed around the clock, as Earle said its not the best use of the department's resources. The motion activation means the cameras could just as easily be tripped by a passing deer or falling snow. Storing recordings -- an aspect Dougherty said he is still "fine-tuning" -- varies from a period of weeks to months, depending on the local storage device, video quality and how often it is activated.
5) How the public feels: The police department purposely rolled out the update to the public ahead of Mischief Night and Halloween, saying that the additional eyes will keep watch on the community while officers interact with them.
Gloucester Township residents Sandy Kirkwood and Michelle Bernard, who were playing with their children at Veterans Memorial Park, had mixed feelings on the initiate.
"It would be nice to know if something like this was installed," said Kirkwood.
"I've got mixed emotions. I don't like my children being watched," said Bernard. "That's the world we live in today."
"Big Brother is watching you," Kirkwood commented.
Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find NJ.com on Facebook.