Video link allows Savannah-Chatham police helicopter surveillance in real time | savannahnow.com

The aerial view from the Savannah-Chatham police department’s patrol helicopter will soon be accessible to select officers on the ground, in order to provide another set of eyes besides those in the air.

On Thursday, the Savannah City Council approved the purchase of video downlink equipment that will be mounted on the Savannah Civic Center roof to enable command center staff to monitor the helicopter’s camera feed.

The $48,000 purchase is being paid for with sales tax revenue raised from current 1 percent voter approved sales tax, said city spokesman Bret Bell. The funds are coming from $1.25 million budgeted for public safety video surveillance, Bell said.

The video link will be valuable during large events and festivals, as well as for in-progress crime, according to police.

The purchase comes after the department tested the equipment during St. Patrick’s Day festivities in March. Live monitoring of the large crowds from the air proved beneficial in coordinating officers on the ground, said police spokesman Julian Miller.

via Video link allows Savannah-Chatham police helicopter surveillance in real time | savannahnow.com.