Security Cameras Coming To High-Crime Spots In Jamaica: NYPD

JAMAICA, QUEENS -- High-crime spots in Jamaica will soon see an extra layer of security as the NYPD plans to roll out a batch of long-awaited surveillance cameras in the neighborhood early next year.

The NYPD's 103rd precinct recently got the go-ahead to install 10 new surveillance cameras along 165th Street between Jamaica and 89th avenues this February. Deputy Inspector Peter Fortune, the precinct's commanding officer since late September, delivered the good news in his first community council meeting on Tuesday.

The new security cameras are a result of a $1.2 million project started by former State Assemblyman William Scarborough to get dozens of new security cameras for high-crime spots in his Southeast Queens district. Assemblywoman Alicia Hyndman (D-Springfield Gardens) shouldered the project after taking over Scarborough's seat representing the assembly's 29th district in 2015.

"As soon as I got into office, the one thing we made sure we’d pick up where Assemblyman Scarborough left off was securing funding for those cameras," Hyndman said.

Hyndman said the cameras, whose two 360-degree fisheye lenses can save and stream recordings to the police department, came from assembly funds she was able to secure for Southeast Queens.

The NYPD's 1113th precinct - covering South Jamaica and St. Albans - and 105th precinct - covering Queens Village and Cambria Heights - were also slated to get 10 cameras to doll out in high-crime areas at their discretion under the original project, DNAinfo previously reported.

"February is supposed to be the installation," Hyndman said of the security cameras. "Hopefully we’ll get a real solid start date soon on when it’s going to happen."

Fortune said in the meeting he expects the security cameras will help his precinct continue to cap crime in the area, which he noted has been on a decline in several categories. The most notable of those was shootings, which he said have dropped from 32 to 18 since last year, with the number of victims cut in half from 43 to 20.

"One victim is still too much, but to have 23 less shooting victims - it's unbelievable," Fortune said.

Lead image via Patch Reporter Danielle Woodward. Deputy Inspector Peter M. Fortune, commanding officer for the NYPD's 103rd precinct, speaks at his first community council meeting on Tuesday.