New NYPD Cameras SW Washington Square Park
New Surveillance Cameras on Lamp Posts SW
I don’t know how many New York City parks these are installed in, if NYPD is leading the way at Washington Square, or if it’s just been determined by the Bloomberg Administration that this historic park is the park that needs to be pacified, its bohemian, free-wheeling past spirit buried underneath leveled off concrete plazas and aligned Tisch fountains, but New York City Police Department surveillance cameras are being installed as you read this with the construction of Phase II Redesign at Washington Square Park.
At February’s Community Board 2 Parks Committee meeting, the Parks Department dropped off some blue prints of Phase II which outlined the following with regard to the NYPD cameras:
Nine NYPD security cameras and devices, four within the Park, installed on poles. 2 cameras will be installed on new poles that currently do not have security devices installed.
And here they are! These cameras (pictured) have been installed in the Southwest corner of the Park along the pathway that leads to the fountain, north of the Mounds.
People have taken issue with the heavy surveillance within our city and at Washington Square Park in the past but this seems to take it to a new “Big Brother is Watching” level. Is this coming to every park or did they target Washington Square?
Update 4:56 p.m.: The Parks Department responded and said to check in with the NYPD. Parks Department does not know how many NYPD cameras are in city parks or where or how they are monitored, according to the spokesperson. No response from NYPD spokesperson.
More photos of Washington Square Park construction coming Wednesday later this week.
Photos: Cathryn.
Washington Square Park Blog 