Surveillance Cameras Sought For Prospect Park

Brooklyn

Sunbathers in Prospect Park could soon be smiling for surveillance cameras.

Brooklyn residents are calling on elected officials to set up security devices around the green space, citing their role in drastically reducing crime in Central Park, according to the New York Post. 

“I think they deter crime,” said Park Slope activist Marco Castillo, noting: “Central Park is almost littered with cameras.”

Prospect Park is host to several events that attract major crowds, such as a half-marathon and the Great Googa Mooga food festival.

“The cameras would definitely help keep crime down, and unlike Central Park, which has its own police precinct” there is no specific precinct policing Prospect Park, said Geoffrey Croft of NYC Park Advocates.

Central Park has more than 30 recording devices.

The idea also has the support of the Prospect Park Alliance. The group’s spokesman yesterday said cameras inside the park would help cops do their jobs.

“God forbid if something happens, you can gather evidence to help a conviction,” Castillo added.

Not all voters are willing to spend money on cameras, though.

In April, they shot down a $200,000 plan to use some of Councilman Brad Lander’s discretionary capital funds to install four cameras on the outskirts of the borough’s largest park.

Lander (D-Brooklyn) said he hopes the city can find money to arm the 78th and 72nd precincts with new cameras, adding he would leave it at the NYPD’s discretion to determine where to position them.

Both precincts have previously proposed installing cameras by park entrances.

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Residents call for Prospect Park surveillance cameras

New York Post - May 16, 2013 -  By Rebecca Harshbarger and Rich Calder 

Prospect Park Noise Complainers Blown Off

"The Parks Department tells me they don`t have the resources to monitor and enforce these events but yet they have ability to issue a permit," said Jim Rallis, who lives near Prospect Avenue South and says he can't sleep on Saturdays and Sundays because of the special events.

"It's just reprehensible to hold events with music at 8 in the morning."

Brooklyn

People in Prospect Park say the Beastie Boys lyrics, 'No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn' describe their situation living near the city park on the weekends.

Residents say park party season is underway which means insomnia will soon set in, according to WPIX.

"Normally, they set up a band or a DJ and our apartments are directly across the street," said Jim Rallis, who cannot sleep on Saturdays and Sundays.

From April to November Rallis says it's unbearable, and they want help from local leaders to keep the noise down.

"It's just reprehensible to have events with music at 8 in the morning," said Rallis.

Rallis said he has repeatedly reached out to the Parks Department but has had no luck getting the revelers to turn down the music.

The parks department issues permits for certain events in the parks during the year.

"They tell me they don`t have the resources to monitor and enforce events yet they have ability to issue a permit," said Rallis.

PIX 11 reached out to local politicians and the parks department. The only person who returned our call was the office of public advocate, Bill Di Blasio.

He encouraged the angry residents to submit another complaint.

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Problematic Park Parties in Prospect Park

WPIX - April 9, 2012 - By Stephanie Tsoflias