Photo: Nickbeer / iStock / Getty Images
The City of Syracuse has launched a new pilot program called View Forty-Four to enhance public safety. The initiative, announced on Tuesday (May 6), will provide Ring cameras to the first 90 residents who apply. This program is named in honor of Rasheed Baker, the son of Syracuse Common Councilor Rasheada Caldwell, who was tragically shot and killed outside his home. Baker's high school football jersey number was 44, which inspired the program's name.
The program is a collaboration between the Syracuse Police Department, Home HeadQuarters, and the Allyn Family Foundation. It offers free installation and a one-year subscription for video playback and alerts. The Allyn Foundation has provided $25,000 to fund the cameras, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Councilor Caldwell, who is also the director of youth and community partnerships for the Allyn Foundation, emphasized the importance of the program. She noted that the cameras could serve multiple purposes, from enhancing safety to checking on family members. Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens highlighted that while homeowners are not required to share footage with the police, community safety is a collective responsibility.
The program aims to empower residents to monitor their surroundings and potentially prevent crime. Home HeadQuarters is working to secure additional funding to expand the program beyond the initial 90 cameras. Interested residents can apply through Home HeadQuarters' website or office on Erie Boulevard West.