Police launch high-tech helper at Summerfest

ALBUQUERUQE, N.M. (KRQE) - The Albuquerque Police Department has a new high tech tool that comes close to allowing cops to be everywhere at once.

Officers tested out their Video Surveillance Trailer at the city's annual Summerfest in Nob Hill.

Saturday thousands enjoyed a rocking celebration, but for officers, criminals and even kids, it's easy to get lost in all the action.

Now police have a tool to keep track of the massive mob.

Saturday's Summerfest was launch day for their new mobile surveillance trailer. It has four cameras that tower 30 feet in the air, surveying the event from every angle.

Summerfest patron Mark Schaefer commented how with this impressive set of eyes in the sky police can track a much larger perimeter, and he's right. They surveyed the beer garden, car show, alleys and street vendors all at the same time. It's a tool that will save the department time and money.

"Whether it's getting rescue to the scene immediately, weather it's getting officers there to take someone into custody, to stop a fight, or to render aid to someone, I think having these eyes everywhere is going to allow us do our jobs quickly," said Albuquerque Police Sergeant Ferris Simmons.

The digital cameras can zoom in on incidents, record video, to be used as evidence and even snap detailed pictures of the suspects.

"You call it over your radio, every officer on the radio is going to hear and they're going to get directions on where to go, what to look for and what they're wearing," Sgt. Ferris said as she zoomed the cameras in as an operator would if there was an incident of some type unfolding.

It's a tool attendees seemed to appreciate.

"I think it's a great idea," said Thomas Cramer of Albuquerque. "It will help keep the community safe and be able to catch the criminals at the same time."

Something that in a time of heightened public safety, makes everyone, especially officers, feel more at ease.

"Especially in an era where many departments are experiencing lessened manpower this is going to be our opportunity to be more effective with what we have," said Sgt. Ferris.

At Summerfest the cameras were mainly used to help find lost children. Police say it's very easy to scan the crowds quickly for kids and then send officers to rescue them.

The cameras also shoot infra red video allowing police to see in the dark and, besides big events, will be used during swat standoffs.

It cost about $68,000 and was paid for through the department's general fund.