Bob Watson, at Captains Watch and Jetton, with new camera (circled)
Sept. 12. By Dave Yochum. If you’ve noticed new cameras on traffic signs on Jetton, you can thank Peninsula resident Bob Watson. He wants to make the Jetton Road area the safest in the state.
He solicited friends and neighbors for the money to purchase the cameras, valued at $2,160 each. He’s raised more than $5,830 so far.
The solar-powered cameras are all about preventing crime, not speeding, and they’re monitored at the Cornelius Police Dept.
Camera at Jetton and John Connor
Crime down
There already were two cameras monitoring comings and goings in the median outside Jetton Park, among dozens throughout the town.
Watson says crime up and down the Jetton peninsula fell 93 percent, including incidents in Jetton Park.
New cameras are up at Jetton and Captains Watch as well as Jetton and John Connor. A fifth is planned for Jetton and Harbor Light, Watson says.
How it works
The cameras aren’t monitored per se. After a crime occurs the video can be reviewed for suspicious activity. Known license plates can also trip the system, resulting in active monitoring and a police response.
From Police Chief Baucom
Cornelius Police Chief David R. Baucom
“The new cameras on Jetton will help provide the police department with more information about a vehicle’s movements within the area if a crime occurs. Their locations will make it easier to determine specific streets or areas we need to focus our investigative efforts on and hopefully they will also act as a deterrent and help prevent crimes in the area if suspects are aware there are cameras. Signs will be added in the near future. This was a great partnership with the Peninsula Property Owners Association and the residents who donated towards the initial costs to add another layer of safety within the area.”
—Chief David Baucom
I remember watching the news when I was younger and the city of Newark, NJ had put cameras downtown to monitor the streets. People who were interviewed were appalled at the invasion of cameras monitoring their movements. Now people just accept it and always under the guise of “keeping us safe.” How did we come to this place in this country where we are so willing to be surveilled? When did we become so cynical about the intentions of everyone else that we felt we needed our public movements monitored? Forcing people to be “good” in public doesn’t make them good. All the surveillance in China you would think they would be the most morally superior people in the world. It just makes us repressive and all that is suppressed grows teeth. Sad to see how far we’ve fallen over the past 40 years.
Posted by James Retarides | September 12, 2023, 5:40 pmMy take from this… If you live in a neighborhood that can afford it, then you are forutnate to have the extra protection. The American Way
Posted by J Schaver | September 12, 2023, 6:13 pmIt seems like something that should’ve been discussed and voted on by the community, rather than a few individuals sponsoring it because of their personal desire for surveillance. That being said, I don’t mind the cameras. I also appreciate that they’re solar powered. What I find more annoying is how poorly they were installed. The solar panels are literally hanging on the edge of the street. At least turn them to the back of the poles so they’re less intrusive.
Posted by Anthony Luciano | September 13, 2023, 9:02 amFolks that follow the laws of our society shouldn’t have any concerns about cameras in public places. Now what’s the plan for getting some speed cameras on Westmoreland and West Catawba?
Posted by Capt Andy | September 13, 2023, 10:11 amWhen the first 2 camers were installed about 5 years ago on Jatton, the prior year there were 21 problems in the Penisula. After the first 2 cameras were installed the problems in the Penisula dropped to 3
The cameras have caught several problems and arrest.
I had a problem at 4 in the morning, about 5 years ago and it’s not fun!
Posted by Robert Watson | September 14, 2023, 7:11 am