Brewer police given surveillance supplies

Thursday, October 13, 2005 - Bangor Daily News

BREWER - Three big, fancy suitcases filled with wireless video and audio equipment have arrived at Brewer Police Department, thanks to a technology transfer grant from the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

Brewer City Council accepted the gift during Tuesday's council meeting and also learned that a group of graduates of the local citizens police academy is raising funds to purchase more video equipment for the department.

Acting Police Chief Danny Green explained to the council that the new equipment would be used as "an investigative tool."

Keeping an eye on areas where drug activity is suspected is just one use for the equipment, Green said.

The police department also will use the equipment for surveillance of buildings and warehouses where thefts and burglaries are taking place, he said.

"I can see us using it a lot," the chief said.

The equipment is valued at approximately $25,000 and was issued as part of the ONDCP's Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center. The U.S. Army's electronic proving ground special programs office administered the program.

The ONDCP is a component of the Executive Office of the President and was established by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988.

"The goals of the program are to reduce illicit drug use, manufacturing and trafficking, drug-related crime and violence, and drug-related health consequences," the White House Web site states.

Ten people took time out of their busy schedules earlier this year to attend a citizens police academy hosted by the Brewer Police Department to learn exactly what it's like to stand in the shoes of an officer.

The graduates of the program - including Councilors Manley DeBeck and Michael Celli - are now working to raise funds to purchase mounted video cameras for the department's cruisers.

The group raised $174 during Brewer Days, held last week, by hosting a pie-in-the-eye contest with members of the council.

The cameras, which would record roadside encounters, cost between $3,000 and $4,000. Once the citizens police academy graduates raise enough to purchase one camera, the city will match the funds, Celli said.

The councilor noted that the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization also is working with the group.

Nok-Noi Hauger
Bangor Daily News