Brewster moves forward with security cameras

BREWSTER – The city council approved the purchase of a network of security cameras to improve security and document lawbreakers by the city’s police department.

During its regular monthly meeting on Jan. 18, the council acted on a request by Brewster Police Chief Marcos Ruiz to purchase a network of fixed and moveable cameras from Flock Safety that has systems installed in more than 3,000 communities nationwide, including Omak.

The initial system will include six stationary cameras and one that is moveable.

“I targeted our problem areas as a starting point,” said Ruiz. “We came up with this to cover entrance and fleeing suspects…and it’s expandable.”

The problem area at hand was a report of shots fired near the hospital where Brewster PD officers found a spent shell casing in the street. 

“There were no more shots fired and there were no fights,” Ruiz said.

“Nothing was hit and as of today no one has come forward to report any damage,” Ruiz told The Quad on Wednesday, Jan. 24. “There are no suspects at this time.”

While the pole mounted cameras will be placed at the major ingress and egress routes around the city, they will not target drivers with expired tabs or other revenue-related infractions. Ruiz said they will be activated in response to reported criminal acts to record subsequent vehicle movement.

Mayor Art Smyth expressed his concern over the Three Rivers Hospital area.

“My concern is the very high likelihood for an incident to happen at the hospital,” Smyth said.

“There are incidents at the hospital,” said Ruiz. “For the majority of those we have to go into the ER. It’s not vehicle prowling in the parking lot or graffiti up there; that’s where our issues are.”

Council member Jan May suggested the council review the system in three to six months to see if the city wants to add more.

Ruiz explained his preference to eventually have both fixed and moveable cameras for the best results.

“I believe the best money would be spent on moveable ones,” said Ruiz. “We can put those where we can address issues. The fixed cameras are reactive; the moveable cameras are active.” 

Previously, the city was expecting to receive two cameras from the federal government.

“Pre-Covid, Homeland Security was going to give us two cameras for free for Highway 97 only,” said Ruiz. “Covid started, that offer dropped, and now they are so busy at Oroville remotely processing border entries that they have no time to do anything else.”

In the absence of follow-through by the federal government, the city decided to proceed with its own system.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media