Man attempts to clean Seattle streets with camera, the Web
SEATTLE -- One man's stand against drug dealers in his Pioneer Square neighborhood has grabbed the attention of police.
"Clint" is trying to battle crime in his neighborhood with a camera and an Internet connection.
Last week, the high-rise tenant began videotaping the dope dealing from above, then posting the footage on YouTube. He even added a soundtrack to the footage.
"It's very out in the open," said Clint, whom KOMO News has chosen not to identify. "You see the crack. You see them light up right away after buying it."
Clint believes the prevalence of drug use and sales in the area "definitely affects the safety of the neighborhood." He hoped his home videos would draw attention to the problem, and it did just that.
Next week, Seattle police will send a member of its Crime Prevention Team to review Clint's footage. Police also conduct regular enforcement on the streets.
"We're definitely seeing more since the footage has been on YouTube. And part of the problem is it's a big area for the police to cover," said Clint.
Help could come from a company called Aegis, which loaned Clint a high-tech surveillance system.
"They've set up cameras all along the street," Clint said.
Using a remote control, Clint can operate a network of spy cams, panning and zooming at will. He'll be able to zoom in closely on license plates or faces as needed. It's the kind of information police can use to bring a swan song to the street crime.
"Any drug dealer walking down the street is going to be walking into a surveillance trap, essentially," said Clint.
Clint hopes his small effort builds enough momentum to help his neighbors feels safe on the streets once again.
"Clint" is trying to battle crime in his neighborhood with a camera and an Internet connection.
Last week, the high-rise tenant began videotaping the dope dealing from above, then posting the footage on YouTube. He even added a soundtrack to the footage.
"It's very out in the open," said Clint, whom KOMO News has chosen not to identify. "You see the crack. You see them light up right away after buying it."
Clint believes the prevalence of drug use and sales in the area "definitely affects the safety of the neighborhood." He hoped his home videos would draw attention to the problem, and it did just that.
Next week, Seattle police will send a member of its Crime Prevention Team to review Clint's footage. Police also conduct regular enforcement on the streets.
"We're definitely seeing more since the footage has been on YouTube. And part of the problem is it's a big area for the police to cover," said Clint.
Help could come from a company called Aegis, which loaned Clint a high-tech surveillance system.
"They've set up cameras all along the street," Clint said.
Using a remote control, Clint can operate a network of spy cams, panning and zooming at will. He'll be able to zoom in closely on license plates or faces as needed. It's the kind of information police can use to bring a swan song to the street crime.
"Any drug dealer walking down the street is going to be walking into a surveillance trap, essentially," said Clint.
Clint hopes his small effort builds enough momentum to help his neighbors feels safe on the streets once again.