Police ponder webcam security

Whangarei police may turn to the Internet in an effort to combat crime in the inner city.
In what could be a first for New Zealand, web cameras may be installed in shop windows so Internet users anywhere in the world can monitor the city's streets.
Webcams - electronic devices small enough to hold in the palm of your hand - are used to put live images of tourist attractions and events such as the Football World Cup on the Internet, rather than to spy on public spaces.
But Whangarei police area commander Inspector Paul Dimery said police would approach inner city businesses this week seeking support for the proposal, which would come at a cost to each business.
"It's definitely a serious idea. It would be an extension of the closed circuit television cameras," he said.
Whangarei's inner city is a trouble spot for drunk and disorderly behaviour but Mr Dimery said the webcam idea was proposed several months ago, long before the violent death of Anaru Tamihana in Vine St on July 16.
Whangarei's surveillance cameras are closely monitored by police volunteers but the webcam images would be monitored by whoever chose to visit a website yet to be set up.
Mr Dimery hoped the presence of webcams would cause troublemakers to alter their behaviour. If they knew they were being watched on home computers they might think: "At any time 100 people may be looking at me so I'm going to think about what I do".
Mr Dimery saw no reason why a good webcam image would not be admissable in court.
He had considered privacy issues but could not see any problems with the plan as long as the cameras were recording what happened in public places and not encroaching on private premises.
He hoped the public would support the idea and, with webcams costing $60-$80 each, he expected business to be willing to pay for the cameras themselves.
But Whangarei retailers may be reluctant to fork out for what they see as police work.
Brenda Moir, owner of Colours gift store, sometimes has to clean urine and vomit from the Vine St shop entrance before opening. She said having webcams aimed at the street was a good idea, partly because it would mean she could check on her store from home after hours. But she wasn't keen to pay for it.
Musicor owner Dave Ryan said his Cameron St store was already well covered by surveillance cameras and he believed introducing webcams was "over the top". He was also concerned about privacy.
The Privacy Commissioner's office said while webcam technology had its uses, people had the right to know if they were being filmed.
Referring to a similar case, Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff said: "Webcam technology can be used beneficially, where agencies take the time to think through how to manage it in advance, especially if they inform people."
Neil McFaddyen, owner of Cashbox in John St, said another mounted surveillance camera in the street would be helpful, not webcams.
"My personal opinion is I think they should have more beat bobbies ... I don't see why we should fork out to do their job."
Donny Mackenzie, managing director of Northland Computer Solutions in Tarewa Rd, said the proposal was "a good idea".
He said a basic webcam cost $40. The more expensive versions which are able to tilt and pan cost about $350.
In order to "capture" and "livestream" images, participating premises would need a computer with broadband or highspeed Internet access.