The CAPCOG Solid Waste Program has purchased and is distributing 70 cellular video cameras to Regional Environmental Task Force agencies and other jurisdictions to help prevent and increase enforcement of environmental crimes such as illegal dumping.
CAPCOG has provided law and code enforcement agencies with similar cameras to assist with the investigation and collection of evidence on those committing environment crimes for years; however, the recent purchase more than quadruples its inventory which can be reserved by agencies. The cameras can be placed at illegal dumpsites and have been used to help identify vehicles and individuals entering such areas as well as capture images and video of people committing the crimes. Evidence collected by the cameras has facilitated voluntary site cleans up by suspects and has assisted with the prosecution of legal cases. The new cameras can transmit video in real-time and allow enforcement officers to download information while not in the field. The Llano County Attorney’s office is already using the equipment which has assisted in more than a dozen cases for the agency.
Other agencies that have reserved cameras include Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources, Caldwell County Attorney’s Officer, and Williamson County Constables Office Precinct 1 and 4. Agencies interested in using the cameras can contact Ken May, CAPCOG Regional Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] to reserve a camera. Participating agencies will need to purchase a cellphone plan for real-time viewing and downloading as well as document and report each camera’s use. CAPCOG also requests if a camera isn’t being used that it be returned for another agency to use.
Contact May to reserve a camera.
Read about the Solid Waste Program.
