The first weekend after Michael Clarke moved to the Miller Park neighborhood he heard gunshots coming from the intersection of East Denny Way and East Madison Street. During the first month in his new home he found dried blood on the concrete next to his building's mailboxes. These were not the only occurrences. Last month, for instance, Clarke heard the gunshots that killed a man near Deano's, often regarded as the epicenter of the neighborhood's problems.
"Since then we have heard gunshots, on average, every week or two," he said. "I've even heard the sounds of automatic weapons."
The persistent and often drug-related crime at the intersection, one acknowledged by the city and the Seattle Police Department, prompted Clarke to become involved with the Miller Park Neighborhood Association. And he had an idea: install several networked surveillance cameras around the problematic intersection.
It wasn't just a rhetorical suggestion. With community support, Clarke has taken on the task of bringing the plan to fruition.
The intention is to install three or four cameras on poles near Deano's Lounge on East Madison Street. The cameras would be connected to a server and operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Images would be recorded on a computer and be made available for live viewing on the Internet. Neighborhood residents could, for example, witness criminal activity online and call 911 without having to leave their houses to face possible retribution. Any recorded information could also be made available to the police possible use as evidence.
"Anyone can check in at random or regular intervals, or when he or she hears a disturbance, or we can even set up a volunteer monitoring schedule during peak problem hours," Clarke said.
Clarke was born in Seattle, at Group Health on 15th Avenue East, no less. He moved back to Seattle two-and-a-half years ago and moved to the Miller Park neighborhood in February. Clarke, who has two engineering degrees and the technical expertise to oversee the project, has been spearheading efforts to put get the cameras in place during the summer.
He's applied for a Strong Neighborhood Action Program (SNAP) grant from the Washington Insurance Council, a nonprofit organization supported by member insurance companies. Other financial sources are being pursued, as are in-kind donations. If the SNAP grant is approved, the money would be made available in early July, leading to a possible installation by the end of that month. If the money becomes available, Clarke would be the one responsible for setting up and maintaining the system.
"We wish we could get it up even sooner - from what I've heard, the summertime is high season for the drug dealers, and gunfire can be a nightly event," Clarke said.
The city is not opposed to the idea. Andrew Taylor, chair of the Miller Park Neighborhood Association (MPNA), has contacted City Attorney Tom Carr and found him receptive. Other cities have had similar installations. He also received an enthusiastic response from East Precinct Commander Mike Meehan. Dean Falls, who owns the property Deano's occupies, has also lent his support to the camera installations.
"I hope it will be of value," Taylor said. "There are obvious governmental hurdles in getting the cameras installed. Their crime-fighting value will depend on how organized and diligent we can be in monitoring them. They will still be valuable as a record even if we just review tapes after the fact."
Taylor added that he hoped that Comcast might contribute Internet access and bandwidth as part of the public service they are required to provide the city in exchange for their license.
Clarke said he understands that some may view a camera installation as a step into Big Brother territory. But he noted that the cameras would be installed in public places and filming outdoors, where there can be no real expectation of privacy. They won't be able to zoom inside windows or homes. Also, private camera systems have been installed in Pioneer Square and in the SoDo neighborhood. Additionally, they would be placed in plain sight and easily visible so they might act as a deterrent.
"The system is only targeting one corner with a history of chronic crime problems," he said. "In addition, the community is asking for the protection it would provide, rather than it being forced on us by the government. In this neighborhood, the true chilling effect comes from the fear for personal safety."
The idea was introduced at the last MPNA meeting. Clarke said that thus far the feedback he's received has been unanimously positive. He and Taylor are soliciting comments about the proposal from neighborhood residents.
Clarke views the effort as one way to help stem the chronic criminal activity that plagues a specific stretch of the neighborhood. But, he said, it's not a panicked response, rather one that comes from determination, not desperation.
"Everyone here who is involved and invested in the neighborhood is frustrated at one time or another. I view [the camera installations] as a creative response, a way to leverage the considerable manpower of the responsible and vigilant citizens in our neighborhood to resist drug dealing and the violent crime that accompanies it."
Comments on the camera installation proposal may be sent to tayles@jps.net. The next MPNA meeting takes place at 7:30 p.m. on June 2 at the Miller Community Center. Additionally, Seattle City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen is scheduled to tour the area during the first week of June.
Doug Schwartz is the editor of the Capitol Hill Times. He can be reached at editor@capitolhilltimes.com and 461-1308.
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