AMSTERDAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The Amsterdam Police Department is keeping a watchful eye over its parks through a new camera system. 24/7, these public spaces are being recorded and examined with the help of artificial intelligence.
This is the first time police have had access to live video feeds in Amsterdam. All the footage is being sent back to the station from Shuttleworth and Veteran's Parks.
"When large crowds gather in basically wide-open spaces, it becomes a challenge to monitor behavior and respond quickly to emergency situations," said Michael Cinquanti, Mayor of Amsterdam. "And after-hours and off-season when those venues are closed and uncrowded, that's when vandalism occurs."
In 2023, a shooting disrupted a basketball tournament in Vet's Park. Now, officers can monitor what's happening from their phones or tablets.
AI also helps sift through a month's worth of footage; cataloging faces and cars by clothes and colors. "Those all become searchable features that allow the operator to define what they're looking for in real-time," described Matthew Patch, System Engineer with Shepherd Communication & Security.
"When we're looking for missing vulnerable adult or missing child, we just have a description of what they were wearing that day; sometimes a picture. So, if we have that information readily available, we can find that person much, much quicker," stated John J. Thomas, Chief of Police.
NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski spoke with people walking around the parks who say they weren't aware of the cameras. David Priess from Mayfield says he understands that the constant recordings can save lives but worries about his privacy. "It just seems like every place you go these days, there's a camera on you. Now, when you come to a park to try to get away from things and have a little privacy and peace of quiet, somebody's going to be filming."
Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara says this $55,000 camera system is just phase one. He hopes to secure more funding and expand to other parks.
