Knight Lights Delaware

Robert Foraker

Building a better delaware

Unofficial Big Brother watching Newark

NEWARK -- Robert Foraker has his electronic eyes on a mission: to make downtown Newark a safer place to shop, dine and do business.

The College Park watchdog and former Newark City Council candidate hopes to deter crime by installing surveillance cameras at various businesses on Main Street.

For now, Foraker will be in control of the cameras as the city's technological Big Brother. By the end of the year, his goal is to place live feed of the downtown area on the Internet. The public and police will be able to view traffic, crime and vandalism around the clock.

"Our police force needs better tools to solve crime," he said. "These [cameras] are our baby sitters. This footage will be available for anyone. It will show anything suspicious or out of the ordinary."

The Newark Police Department is aware of Foraker's plan but is not partnering with him, acting Police Chief William Nefosky said.

"I'm not sure of the need for the cameras at this time," Nefosky said. "It may be beneficial, but right now, it's not something we're going to get involved in."

Using surveillance cameras isn't unique to Newark. In Wilmington, a private nonprofit group called Downtown Visions partners with police to monitor a downtown surveillance system. The cameras cover the entire downtown district and some sections of the east and west sides of Wilmington.

Newark take heed

Sunday, February 19, 2006
NEWARK TAKE HEED
Newark officials are cheering a zero-tolerance noise law because of their own fear. History has shown council's involvement in the community has been minimal. Occasionally members speak about community organizations needing to work together. University of Delaware students have come together concerning zero tolerance. Now let's get something together. This is a neighborhood problem, not a police problem. The Newark police shouldn't even be involved.

Robert Foraker

Email us
robforaker@msn.com