* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Harris
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Investigational Hearing - Cameras In Schools
FOR the purpose of requesting the CEO of the Baltimore City Public School System and the Security Chief for the Baltimore City Public Schools to investigate and consider the creation and implementation of a security camera system for our public schools and report their findings to the City Council.
Body
Recitals
Public school systems around the country have begun installing surveillance cameras outside the most used entrances and exits of their school buildings. According to reports, these camera systems have been useful in the prevention of vandalism, gang activity, fights, trespassing, and theft. Despite the obvious safety advantages to having a surveillance camera system in place, there are still many questions that should be brought to light before such a system is implemented.
There are many benefits to installing cameras around school buildings. First, the cameras help to provide school officials with information and evidence that would not be available if the cameras were not in place. In addition to this, the cameras also deter crime and may lead some students to confess infractions that may not have been caught by the security cameras. Cameras also give security personnel the opportunity to do more job-specific work that can save the school system time and money in the long run, as well as lower the cost of insurance premiums by reducing the chances of theft and vandalism.
In order to install these security measures, certain issues must be discussed and decided on in advance. First, the initial setup costs plus maintenance and personnel costs must be estimated. In addition, the school system must decide where cameras should be placed and how many should be placed at each school. The school system should also conduct research once the cameras are in place so that the new system can continue to be of a benefit to students and administrators. Hopefully, with an open discussion, proper security measures can be set up to protect our students and provide a safe learning environment for our children in the years to come.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body requests the CEO of the Baltimore City Public School System and the Security Chief for the
Baltimore City Public Schools to investigate and consider the creation and implementation of a security camera system for our public schools and report their findings to the City Council.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the CEO of the Baltimore City Public School System, the Chief of Security for the Baltimore City Public School System, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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