Cops Getting a Bird's Eye View to Protect Holiday Shoppers

The busy holiday shopping season is also prime time for crime.

That’s why the Clearwater Police Department and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up for “Operation Safe Holidays.” The two-day special detail kicks off just in time for Black Friday and runs through Saturday at Westfield Countryside Mall, 27001 U.S. Highway 19 N.

During the operation, police will provide extra coverage at the mall to ensure safety and help keep traffic flowing between the hours of 7 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.They’ll also enjoy a bird’s eye view of activities on the ground courtesy of SkyWatch.

SkyWatch is a special mobile observation tower that will be situated between Whole Foods and BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse on the mall’s south side. The two-story tower provides a 360-degree view from an enclosed platform. It was obtained courtesy of a 2012 grant from the Department of Homeland Security. Although it’s housed at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the tower is available to agencies across the state that request it for special events.

“Deputies say the advantages of SkyWatch include that it provides a maximum field of view, increases law enforcement’s ability to assess a situation and better respond to events as they occur,” an email from the sheriff’s office stated. “According to deputies the highly visible tower also serves as a deterrent to would be criminals.”

SkyWatch also has a camera that can be viewed and operated remotely. In addition, it has flood lights, directional lights, a lightning detector and weather station.

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