The next time you're at an outdoor concert or walking through downtown, and you feel like you're being watched, you might want to look up.
The Atlanta Police Department is getting a mobile ‘eye in the sky' to help deter crime downtown and to keep the peace at major public events.
The SkyWatch mobile observation tower, which is used by police departments in at least 60 cities, will allow police to better monitor events and incidents and shift resources where and when they're needed, officials said. The tower will be linked to the APD’s video integration center, allowing officers to remotely view images from the tower's cameras.
The SkyWatch tower, which will be unveiled at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Centennial Park, was donated to APD by the Downtown Improvement District and the Atlanta Police Foundation.
“The business community has stepped up to the plate to help us increase our eyes and ears on the ground – and literally, in the air – with this state-of-the-art technology," said Police Chief George Turner.
The observation tower will also be used to conduct targeted crime suppression throughout the central business district, officials said.
“The SkyWatch system will be a great asset to the APD in its continued efforts to keep downtown a safe and vibrant destination for visitors, workers and residents alike,” said A.J. Robinson, president of Central Atlanta Progress and Atlanta Downtown Improvement District. “Other users of SkyWatch around the nation have reported high satisfaction with the system and believe it has been an effective, proactive tool in deterring crime.”
The SkyWatch tower is designed with darkened windows so people below cannot tell if an officer is present — so it still works as a deterrent, officials said.
The watchtowers have been used by various airports, correctional facilities, amusement parks, colleges and commercial businesses such as Home Depot and FedEx.
About the Author
