Baltimore city to get 12 new crime cameras

Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced Thursday that 12 new crime cameras would be installed in the city.

The new cameras come as a part of an expansion of CitiWatch and will be installed along Charles Street, between Mount Vernon Square and 20th Street. With the installation of the new cameras, the crime camera network will now have 622 cameras.

"The CitiWatch program is a vital part of Baltimore's effort to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods. The cameras serve as a force multiplier that enables the men and women of the Baltimore Police Department to do more to protect the citizens of this great city," said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "We are grateful to our partners for their support of this vital crime prevention tool."

In 2011, CitiWatch participated in more than 1,236 arrests, of which 145 arrests were made for violent crimes, including robberies, assaults, and illegal gun possession.

Despite a difficult budget deficit, the mayor's Fiscal 2013 Budget fully funds the operation of the crime camera program, which has been shown to reduce crime by 25 percent in covered areas.