Archives - May 20, 2002

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Macedon Police Now Have Video Cameras in All Vehicles Thanks to Officer Efforts, Business Support

You have seen their work prominently displayed on a number of real action police shows, now the Macedon Police has joined the ranks of departments across the country with in-car video camera/recorders.
The Department's four vehicles each have a window/dash mounted camera that can record a traffic stop including video and audio, while the officer is out of his car. Supplied by Martel Electronics out of California (1-800-553-5536), the $1500 units can be installed, or removed within a minute. The camera itself, can also snap out and be used outside the car in as a portable unit at crime scenes.
The camera unit has a built-in night vision feature, but is also adaptable with the department's monocular night scope for complete viewing and recording in no-light instances.
The officers are equipped with a battery operated radio/audio recording device, attached to their police belts. The microphone is worn under their shirts.
With the added playback table unit, the four cameras in use by the Macedon Police and a supply of the 8mm tapes, the entire cost of 4 complete systems just under $8000. What is truly remarkable, was that the entire video recording system cost the taxpayers of Macedon absolutely nothing.
Macedon Police Officer, Heath Farabell, asked Chief John Ellis if it would be alright to solicit area businesses in an effort to raise funds for the units. On his own time, Farabell, in two afternoons, within a total of four hours, was successful. Farabell found that the area businesses were more than anxious to donate. Funds were donated by Toomey's Motor Sports, Jay's Collision, Macedon Collision, Gitano's Restaurant, Mobil Research center, Finn's Mobil, Fletcher's Bagels, Macedon Excavating, Log Cabin Restaurant, Alpco, Dan's Service Center, and JT's Automotive. Funds from a Macedon Police Department grant topped off the project.
Examples of both night audio and video were demonstrated for the area businesses and press on Friday at a luncheon sponsored by the Log Cabin Restaurant on Route 31F in Macedon.
Farabell said the units will come in handy for courts and juries and will serve to protect the officer and department from unwarranted nuisance complaints. Heath said the units will also remind the officers of their own conduct during stops.
Since the Department installed the units, they have been demonstrated for other police departments throughout the area.
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