Do We Need Security Cameras at All Local Subway Stations?

With a rise in iPhone thefts on the subways, should all the subway stations in our area have security cameras? Community Board 14 thinks so, and they asked two city agencies to include security cameras in their budgets for fiscal year 2014. At a meeting this past fall to discuss what items should be requested, security cameras were a big topic.

“Security cameras are the smallest portion of Police Department capital budget,” said CB14 District Manager Shawn Campbell, “but they’re the most requested by the community.”

But now that the comments from the city agencies are in, it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting them any time soon.

The Police Department said of the recommendation that “the Department cannot fund this request at this time and recommends that the Community Board contact elected officials for the funding.”

The Transit Authority had a more hopeful answer, noting that they need to study the request further.

If it’s something you feel strongly about, send an email saying so to your local representatives:

Community Board 14: info@cb14brooklyn.com

Councilmember Mathieu Eugene: mathieu.eugene@council.nyc.gov

Council Member Jumaane Williams: sringel@council.nyc.gov

Assemblymember Jim Brennan: brennaj@assembly.state.ny.us

Assemblymember Rhoda Jacobs: jacobsr@assembly.state.ny.us