NYPD Installs "Sky Watch" In Harlem Neighborhood

NY.1com ^ | 11-22-2006 | NY1 News

[Nachum]

The NYPD has installed a patrol tower in a Harlem neighborhood in an effort to cut crime in the high-risk neighborhood.

The two-story booth tower, called Sky Watch, gives the officer sitting inside a better vantage point from which to monitor the area. Officers in the booth have access to a spotlight, sensors, and four cameras. The tower is portable and can be moved to the areas that need it most.

Residents in Harlem say they like the idea, though some wonder if the appearance of Sky Watch has anything to do with the two new luxury condos built on a nearby corner.

"There was crime around here before and they never had it. Now all these expensive buildings, it's true,” said one area resident. “But actually it's good though, because then I used to see a lot of crowd here and sometimes I was scared to pass here, but guess what, that doesn't happen anymore. It’s a kind of deterrence and it's good."

Police say the Harlem tower was placed there to combat a rise in murders.

Sky Watch has also been tested in Crown Heights in Brooklyn where it reduced crime. Police are hoping to have three more towers soon.

[edcoil]

Can Snake Plitkin be far behind?

[sheana]

hahaha I thought the same thing!

[ASOC]

This sounds like the portable towers now used on the border by the Army Guard and BP. No way would I want to be sitting in one late a night - talk about your high value target....

[lovecraft]

"Residents in Harlem say they like the idea, though some wonder if the appearance of Sky Watch has anything to do with the two new luxury condos built on a nearby corner."

Skytower: Good

Reasons for putting it in: Racist

Being Damned if you do, Damned if you don't: Priceless

[NurdlyPeon]

Can Snake Plitkin be far behind?

Plissken

[TommyDale]

Now they can monitor all of Bill Clinton's "visitors"?

[TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig]

Did I ever tell you about the time I heard the Dead play "Along the Watchtower" live in concert? True story.

This sounds like a good job for whoever the Sgt is pissed at.

"Smitty, you got watchtower duty!"

[Jonah Hex]

Plissken

"Call me Snake."

[EndWelfareToday]

Ha! This story reminds me of an Arnold Swatzenegger movie called "Running Man."

Thank you Hillary!

[JZelle]

I thought you was dead!

[Gator101]

I think this is the way law enforcement is going. Soon they may have towers, airborne, or even satellite cameras that record whole cities 24-7. A drive-by shooting happens you just rewind and see where the car came from and where it went. Give LE something to go on right away.

[Dr.Zoidberg]

Interesting idea.

Can castles and moats be far behind?

What wonders this modern age does bring.

[july4thfreedomfoundation]

Now they can spy on Charlie Rangel with ease.

[TC Rider]

Somebody ping me when they get "Booty Watch" operational.

[Gator101]

Here's one they have in Northern Ireland. As evidenced by the bullet holes some of the locals don't care for it too much.

[SF Republican]

I thought Plisskin was dead

[yobid]

Hey Shnake, eyes thoughts yous was dead!

[seppel]

I hope they have sandbagged it, otherwise the officer is getting to get some dancing action dodging the bullets.

[Disambiguator]

That's the same line from "Big Jake".