New Cameras Don’t Deter Crime in Binghamton Parking Garage

Security cameras have been installed in an old city-owned parking facility but vehicle break-ins continue to be a problem.

The new cameras were put in place several months ago at the State Street garage. City officials have not said whether live video from the devices is being monitored at police headquarters.

Larcenies and vandalism have been an ongoing issue at the parking ramp in recent years.

A Binghamton University junior from Brooklyn on Wednesday afternoon discovered the driver's side window of her 2017 Honda Civic had been smashed by a thief. She told WNBF News the only item missing from the vehicle was a small bag containing makeup. The car had been parked on the sixth floor of the garage, a short distance from the student's Chenango Street apartment.

After nearly two dozens vehicles in the State Street ramp were damaged in a 2016 vandalism spree, then-Mayor Richard David said the city would consider installing more cameras and possibly having an employee at the facility overnight to reduce the likelihood of criminal conduct.

Although cameras finally were installed early this year, it took some time before they became operational. Initially, they were able to make surveillance recordings but they could not be monitored by police because there was no reliable internet connection.

It appears a fiber internet connection now is in place at the parking garage. City officials have not responded to requests for information about the operation of the security cameras or other security measures that may be implemented at the site.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.