Surveillance Cameras In South Orange To Be Discussed Wednesday

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — A virtual community discussion will be held Wednesday night about cameras being installed in South Orange for police use.

The event is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will happen over Zoom. Those who wish to attend the meeting must register online. The meeting have breakout sessions in which officials will ask for feedback from the public.

Known as Digital Video System (DVS), the surveillance system consists of 20 cameras to be used by police as an investigative tool in incidents such as car crashes, missing person searches and law enforcement conduct complaints.

"The singular role of the Village’s DVS is to provide enhanced public safety," according to information on the South Orange Village website. In the case of a live incident, it will help "supervise the scene and provide guidance to on site first responders."

The majority of village cameras are located in the Village Center (the downtown commercial district) and at intersections on county roads (South Orange Avenue, Valley Street, Scotland Road, Irvington Avenue and North and South Wyoming Avenue).

A full explanation of the Digital Video System being installed in town is available on this page for residents to review.

South Orange elected officials are working with the South Orange Police Department village administrative team and the South Orange Community Policy Collaborative to review policy.

"To give us time to share further information regarding our DVS practices and explore additional constituent input, we have paused DVS equipment purchases," the village says on the meeting event description, shared by the township's official Facebook page.

Anyone who can't attend the meeting but still wants to send their feedback on the matter can still do so using this form.