[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 35 (Friday, February 24, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E436-E437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       CRIME PREVENTION THAT WORKS

                                 ______


                         HON. ROBERT K. DORNAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 24, 1995
  Mr. DORNAN. Mr. Speaker, the Local Government Law Enforcement Block 
Grants Act of 1995, section 101, authorized the Director of the Bureau 
of Justice Assistance [BJA] to make grants directly to units of local 
government for reducing crime and improving public safety. These funds 
can be used for hiring or training personnel, equipping law enforcement 
officers, enhancing school safety, or establishing crime prevention 
programs. The local jurisdictions have great flexibility as to how they 
used these funds.
  An article by Chris Gersten, president of the Anti-Crime Alliance, in 
the November 28, 1994 issue of the Washington Times describes one new 
technology that has the potential to take a big bite out of crime. Mr. 
Gersten outlines how the use of video monitoring in Great Britain in 
the Washington, DC subway system has led to dramatic decreases in 
crime. Video monitoring is now employed in over 300 cities in Great 
Britain with virtually no complaints about civil liberties. The Prince 
George's County public school system in Maryland has recently pioneered 
in the use of video monitoring in some high schools.
  I request that Mr. Gersten's article be placed in the Record and that 
jurisdiction around the country explore the potential uses of closed 
circuit video monitoring in their efforts to reduce crime.
               [From the Washington Times, Nov. 28, 1994]

                      Crime Prevention that Works

                           (By Chris Gersten)

       Despite having a violent crime rate still a fraction of our 
     own, British lawmakers have taken dramatic steps to reduce 
     crime.
       American observers were surprised to read of England's new 
     Criminal Justice and Public Order Act which became law two 
     weeks ago. The most controversial aspect of the new law is 
     the modification of the right to silence. Now, anyone who 
     remains silent after being arrested, can have his silence 
     used against him in court. The new statement by police reads: 
     ``You do not have to say anything. But if you do not mention 
     now something which you later use in your defense, the court 
     may decide that your failure to mention it now strengthens 
     the case against you.''
       The law also contains new powers for police to stop and 
     search vehicles and pedestrians, to arrest squatters and 
     trespassers, and to prevent or break up raves--drug-laden 
     parties sweeping the country.
       In addition to the new restriction on the right to silence 
     and the increase in police powers, the British have employed 
     new technology to curtail what they see as a dramatic 
     increase in crime. At least 300 towns across great Britain 
     have installed or are planning to install video surveillance 
     of public spaces to catch and deter criminals, according to 
     PhotoScan Ltd., a leading British video system installer. The 
     pioneering British city, King's Lyn, and other towns have 
     installed monitoring cameras in city centers, parking lots, 
     streets, high-crime housing projects, industrial parks, 
     sports complexes, churches and alleyways. Officials report a 
     high rate of arrest and conviction since installation of the 
     monitoring systems.
       The British Home Office, which overseas the police, is 
     promoting video monitoring as ``one of the most exciting and 
     constructive applications of new technology in the fight 
     against crime, according to Junior Home Minister David 
     Maclean. A clear majority of citizens express support for the 
     use of
      video cameras to stop crime.
       Video monitoring has been utilized successfully in the 
     United States for some time. The Washington D.C. Metro subway 
     system has had a closed-circuit monitoring system since it 
     opened in 1976. The system has a total of 1,200 cameras and 
     an equal number of monitors with 10 to 30 cameras in each 
     station, depending on station size. The entire system cost 
     approximately $3 million to install with the cameras costing 
     $2,000 to $2,500 each and the monitors $200 each. It costs 
     roughly $250,000 per year to maintain the system.
       The monitors for all the cameras in each station are housed 
     in one enclosed booth where an official watches the screens. 
     This creates a strong deterrent effect as potential criminals 
     are aware that every movement in the station is being 
     monitored. If a crime is committed, the station guards can 
     usually reach the suspect within seconds.
       The use of the camera system has made the Washington subway 
     system the safest in the country, according to Patricia 
     Lambe, spokesman for the Washington Metro Area Transit 
     Authority. In 1993, only 33 violent crimes occurred in the 
     system. From 1990 through 1993, only one murder. All the 
     other violent crimes were classified as aggravated assaults. 
     Many of these crimes were committed in parking lots and 
     garages not covered by video cameras. This is an amazing 
     record for a metropolitan area subway system serving over 4 
     million people.
       Closed circuit camera technology has increased dramatically 
     since the Washington subway camera system was installed. 
     Cameras can be installed which rotate and tilt to cover a 
     wide area and can zoom in on an individual up to a mile away. 
     Cameras can be programmed to turn to any area where there is 
     movement or noise. A camera covering a huge parking lot can 
     detect someone breaking into a car or committing an assault 
     and zoom in on the crime.
       Police watching closed circuit monitors are alerted that a 
     crime is being committed and move in on the suspects 
     immediately. One person can watch up to 10 television 
     monitors at a time. Police substations should be located 
     within a short drive to the scene of any crime located by the 
     monitoring system.
       Closed circuit systems should be tested in high-crime 
     inner-city areas such as public housing facilities, 
     playgrounds, parking garages and lots, open air drug markets, 
     and schools. The cameras should be mounted on inaccessible 
     rooftops or street lights.
       A pilot project in 10 cities, funded with federal dollars, 
     could produce dramatic results for under $50 million. Each 
     city could install 1,000 cameras in high-crime areas
      for a cost of $3 million each or $30 million for 10 cities. 
     Upkeep and replacement costs would be approximately 
     $250,000 a year per city or $2.5 million per year for the 
     10 cities. The city or state government would be expected 
     to pick up the cost of the personnel to watch the 
     monitors. The total cost of maintenance would be $12.5 
     million for five years for a total cost of $42 million.
       This is less than the cost of midnight basketball, self 
     esteem-building classes or a handful of other very dubious 
     programs just passed in the federal crime bill. It is the 
     cheapest way to reduce crime in our cities and make our urban 
     residents feel free to go outside again.
       While civil libertarians will complain about invasion of 
     privacy, we are being monitored by video cameras already in a 
     host of private establishments including banks, supermarkets, 
     department stores, airports and subway systems. Such 
     monitoring doesn't make most of us feel like big brother is 
     watching. It makes us feel safer. If closed circuit 
     monitoring works in Great Britain, in the Washington Metro 
     subway and in a variety of private businesses, isn't it time 
     to try this approach in our crime ridden inner-cities?
       Get-tough legal changes are being enacted by the federal 
     and state governments and through the voter initiative 
     process. Many of these reforms, such as life sentences for 
     third felony convictions (three strikes you're out), 
     eliminating parole and longer sentences for violent offenders 
     are important steps in reducing crime.
       These get-tough laws will keep prisoners incarcerated for 
     much longer periods, resulting in reduced crime rates in the 
     years to come.
       But installation of closed circuit video cameras and 
     monitors will have an immediate and dramatic impact on the 
     crime rate and on the lives of America's beleaguered inner 
     city residents.
       As the new GOP leadership in Congress contemplates serious 
     changes in the recently passed Crime Bill, taking resources 
     from the social programs and earmarking them for closed 
     circuit cameras and monitors would be a good investment with 
     an immediate payoff.

[[Page E437]]

                TRIBUTE TO LEON WINSTON AND RAY DEFRESS

                                 ______


                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 24, 1995
  Mr. DAVIS, Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the winners of 
this year's Fairfax County Don Smith Employees Advisory Council [EAC] 
Award. The winners are Leon Winston and Ray DeFress. These two men are 
being honored for consistently going the extra mile for those around 
them. These two fine men will be honored on Monday, February 27, 1995, 
at ceremonies at the Fairfax County Government Center.
  The Don Smith Award was established by the Fairfax County EAC in 1991 
to honor Donald D. Smith, who retired in 1990 after devoting 16 years 
to the EAC. The award honors employees who have contributed to the 
well-being of their fellow employees. Recipients receive $1,000 and a 
plaque.
  Ray DeFress, an employee in the real estate assessments office, is 
being honored for his timeless generosity. Employees know that they can 
turn to Ray DeFress for a lift or help with a move. He can be found on 
his lunch hour taking someone to the service station or fixing their 
car. He is always available to help employees moving from one place or 
another. He has also raised money for people in need and spent hundreds 
of dollars of his own money to help people in their darkest hour. He 
has been a county employee for 26 years, with an exemplary record.
  Leon Winston, a custodian at Navy Elementary School in Fairfax, is 
being commended for his commitment, leadership, hard work, and 
contribution to a positive work environment, and concern for others. 
When another custodian became ill, Winston offered to share work hours. 
He is a favorite with the students at the school, who not only see him 
as a supervisor but, a friend. He is a man who can always be trusted to 
always have the school open, even during the strongest snow storms, and 
clean for the public.
  Mr. Speaker, I know my colleagues join me in acknowledging and 
honoring these two fine men who exemplify all that is right with local 
government employees not only in Fairfax, but across the Nation. Their 
honor, voted by their peers, is one for which we can all be proud.


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