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Oct 23, 2009 4:50 pm US/Pacific
Oakdale Set To Fight Crime With High-Tech Camera
OAKDALE, Calif. (CBS13) ―
Fighting crime one camera at a time; the City of Oakdale can't afford security cameras, so they bought just one. CBS13 went to Oakdale to find out how they're hoping the one camera can help keep the community safe.
Oakdale Police traded in one camera for a new high-tech model. Authorities couldn't show CBS13 the model because officers don't want to tip off criminals, but unlike the old one, the lens will not be easy to spot.
"The new one doesn't look anything like a camera at all," say authorities.
It looks more like a piece of equipment you would never notice. The Department spent about $7,000 on the camera. And to get their money's worth, officers will move the camera around town every two weeks.
"We're hoping by moving it periodically it will keep people on their toes; they'll never really be certain which area is being covered," police tell CBS13.
Equipped with a motion detector and night vision, detectives hope the camera will catch criminals in the act.
The city has seen a sudden spike in property crime like graffiti in neighborhoods and the business district. So, many welcome a disguised eye in the sky.
"It's getting so bad we have to go out at least a couple of times a week and clean up and neighbors have top repaint," says Pam Strainer, an Oakdale business owner.
Oakdale isn't the only city using the single camera, Ceres is as well.
Although, the old camera did help police catch criminals, it was stationary so the crime moved to other areas once the criminals spotted the lens.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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