The Sacramento Police Department is moving forward with plans to set up security cameras in multiple locations in the city by May 2011. However, the number of cameras the department plans to use and where they will be placed is unclear. In April 2009, the department announced it would use $615,000 in federal Homeland Security grant funding to purchase a surveillance equipment package. The deadline for the department to buy and put the surveillance equipment into effect is next May, according to department spokesman Konrad von Schoech. “Equipment has to be purchased and operational by May 2011, but some equipment will be operational before that date,” von Schoech wrote in an e-mail. The

When reporters don't have a camera with them they often resort to using their cell phones to take pictures. It can be hard to take good pictures with cell phones and the topic of our next workshop will address how to take better pictures by using phone applications and different settings. The Camera Phone Photography Workshop will be June 30, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at The Urban Hive. It will be taught by Anthony Bento. Bento has a B.A in film and digital media from UC Santa Cruz, where he photographed and reported on the 2004 presidential campaign and other political events. He has also worked as a product photographer in New York City and here in Sacramento as a freelance photojournalist f

As civil liberties advocates and city officials debate the city’s plans to implement a new surveillance system, three security cameras are already operating on Del Paso Boulevard. Joann Cummins, district director for City Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy, said the Del Paso Boulevard cameras will be useful for recording evidence to prosecute a couple of liquor stores that are allegedly creating a public nuisance. The Sacramento Press reported in a July 8 story that the local American Civil Liberties Union has raised objections to new cameras that may be installed on K Street and at other locations, arguing that they do not decrease crime. The city plans to buy 32 security cameras, four mobile su

Posted by manknee I just moved to the Natomas Creek area on Mike Waldron Drive and noticed surveillance cameras from Elkhorn and down along East Commerce Way. How is it used? Are there cameras because of increased criminal activities and unsafe neighborhood? Dear manknee, You ask a great question. I asked the experts in the City’s Traffic Engineering and Operations. Here’s what they said: “The City of Sacramento Department of Transportation (DOT) deploys two types of camera systems. Many of the City’s traffic signals have a way to detect vehicles. To minimize the pavement problems (loops of wire cut into the pavement), the City has started using video detection of vehicles waiting at si