Salem Police Installing Surveillance Cameras At Popular Sites

SALEM, MA -- Salem will install surveillance cameras at four popular public spaces in the city, following approval of a police department request by City Council. The cameras will record images only; no sound will be recorded. In her request to City Council, Salem Police Chief Mary Butler said the cameras will help police deter, document and respond to crime.

One set of cameras will be installed at Proctor's Ledge, which was confirmed in 2016 as the site where 19 people accused of witchcraft were executed in the 1600s. The department said that camera is being paid for with money from the police department budget and would allow the department to monitor a memorial that has been installed at the site.

Other sites include:

• Mary Jane Lee Park with funds from the department budget and a Community Development Block Grant.
• Pickering Wharf, with funds from the 2015 Port Security Grant.
• Redmond Park, which will also used funds from the 2015 grant.

The Pickering Wharf and Redmond Park camera setups will also allow the department to monitor the waterways. The police department will most signs in each area that surveillance cameras are in use and will publicize the installation on social media, Butler said.

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Patch file photo of Mary Jane Lee Park.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).