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In spite of the economic crisis and New York City's deep budget cuts, the LMSI’s installation is proceeding as planned. About 300 of the 1,000 planned police cameras have been installed so far. The city’s budget crunch has also slowed Commissioner Ray Kelly’s plans to shift 800 officers from beats elsewhere in the city to bolster security in lower Manhattan. Presently, 30 automated license plate readers also are in operation.
The city recently canceled the January 2010 police academy class, and will go through 2009 with fewer officers on the street – but more cameras. This set of priorities troubles Chris Dunn: “You have to wonder at a time when they’re laying off cops, whether it makes sense to spend this money on a camera system.”
