Posted on 09/01/22
| News Source: WBAL TV
Baltimore, MD - Sept. 1, 2022 - A community organization is taking action to help prevent crime by installing surveillance cameras on homes and businesses in northwest Baltimore and Pikesville.
Video posted with permission of WBAL
It's called Operation: Community Watch. It's put on by the group Shomrim and it involves setting up a network of cameras on homes in the neighborhood, so when a crime does happen, police can easily get the surveillance video.
"I think it's a great deterrent and I'm sure it helps solve crimes as well," said Ezra Fromowitz, a resident.
Fromowitz lives along Greenspring Avenue and knows people who have been the target of a crime.
"I've had friends a few blocks down whose house has been broken into and its hits home. It's out there and affects people in the community," he said.
Fromowitz said he is happy to hear about Operation: Community Watch and the placing of high-quality cameras on homes and businesses in his neighborhood. And if a crime happens, Shomrim will turn the video footage over to the police.
"Seeing a problem, we wanted to be part of the solution and what we found was, if we could together major areas of foot traffic or community engagement, if we can put cameras at those locations, those can be resources to the homeowners and to law enforcement," said Nate Wilner, of Shomrim.
Wilner said the program was partly sparked by a recent spike in carjackings around Baltimore City.
"We understand the police can't be everywhere. We need to be part of the solution and the community police relationship is key to public safety," Wilner said.
Homeowners and businesses have to opt-in to the program and Wilner said within the first week, more than 60 homeowners have already requested the cameras.
Shomrim is looking to get funding to install them all. Fromowitz said he hopes it makes a difference and keeps criminals away.
"A criminal would probably think twice if they know there are people who care about the safety of the community and are doing things about it and are watching and have eyes around," he said.
Shomrim is looking to get part of that funding from the local and state governments.