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Tampa to create “perimeter” of security cameras downtown

  By securitycameradirectory | February 20, 2012 - 5:06 pm | security cameras
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TAMPA –Ahead of the 2012 Republican National Convention, Tampa officials plan to festoon downtown with security cameras to keep a watchful eye on protesters.This week, the city began soliciting bids from private security companies to install a yet-to-be-determined number of cameras at yet-to-be-disclosed locations in the downtown.Greg Spearman, the city’s purchasing director, said the plan is to “set up a perimeter” of cameras around the downtown and venues for the event, including the St. Pete Times Forum and Tampa Convention Center, but said exact locations might not be disclosed.

“The anarchists could use that information to disable cameras or plan actions in other areas,” he said. “We know they’re watching and we don’t want to put the city at risk.”

Spearman said he didn’t know who would be monitoring the cameras, saying that was likely to be decided by U.S. Secret Service, which is overseeing security preparations.

He said the city likely will have to cover some upfront costs for installing the camera system but pointed out that the Republican National Committee ultimately will be picking up the tab.

“The RNC has assured us that they will have adequate funding,” Spearman said.


Next August, Tampa hosts the 2012 GOP Convention, when the party’s delegates will nominate their party’s presidential candidate. The event is expected to draw more than 50,000 delegates, politicians and news reporters to the Bay area.

As with national political conventions in previous years, however, the weeklong event is also expected to draw tens of thousands of protestors from throughout the country.

At the 2008 GOP Convention in Minneapolis-St. Paul, more than 800 protestors and bystanders, including journalists covering the clashes with police, were arrested during street demonstrations. Mass arrests also were made at the 2008 DNC Convention in Denver, when Barack Obama was nominated as the party’s presidential candidate.

Officials in both cities used surveillance cameras to capture images of protests, in some cases for use as evidence against demonstrators accused of committing violent acts.

Spearman said the city wants to have the cameras up and operating by May 2012.

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Original author, cwade@tampatrib.com (813) 259-7679 for Tampa Bay Online

Protect your home & business with security cameras

  By securitycameradirectory | February 20, 2012 - 4:46 pm | security cameras
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The times we live in seem to be filled with crime and we are always subject to more and more stories of criminal offences taking place. Sometimes there is a feeling that perhaps we will never be able to feel safe again. But this need not be the way you feel as there are many options open to a person to feel safer. A great example of this is outdoor security cameras which people can use as a tool in their security plan.

Ideally, outdoor security cameras should be just one facet of an overall security program and this philosophy works for the home or business. In order to make sure that the security program works to optimum levels, it is necessary to have a number of factors in place.

The best thing to do when deciding to put together a security plan is to make sure that you talk to people who are experts in the field of security. It is a good option to choose a local security firm that has in depth knowledge of the area in which your business or home is located. There are many instances in which local knowledge can give one the upper hand over criminals. For instance knowing what the broader community is like and whether there are criminal elements already present and then also understanding the local street layout, can both work well to your advantage.


If consultation with local security professionals is not possible there are many online security companies that can assist you in determining just the type of equipment that you will require. There are three elements to a good security program though and these include Monitoring, Deterrence and Capture.

Monitoring is the first element and refers to the act of surveillance on the area that is to be protected. Outdoor security cameras play a vital role here. Given that they are small and not readily visible, it means that those under surveillance will act in a normal way and this could help to ensure that the thought of committing a crime is identified before it takes place. For this aspect to be most effective, it is very important to ensure that live video is being monitored. But whether you have live monitoring or not the cameras should also be recorded for later evidence if a crime is committed.

The second element is that of deterrence and this is perhaps the most crucial as these measures would aim to stop the criminal act before it happened. Deterrence measures would include things such as fences, visible security cameras, surveillance warning signs and even visible guards if this was deemed necessary.

The final item on the check list is capture and this is probably the least attractive element as it means that a crime has already taken place. The chances of apprehending criminals depend on the ability to respond quickly when an alarm is raised. As a result, it is recommended that your system is connected to the police or a security firm. This means that they can respond quickly and will have a better chance of catching the criminals.

These elements make up what most would consider to be a very good security strategy. Outdoor security cameras are a very important element of this strategy and even more so if one wants to prevent crimes from taking place. The only concern with these devices is the possible implications of entering someone’s privacy, but if it is one’s own home or business then this won’t apply.