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Morning.
We would like to ask you a few questions
Good morning. We would like to ask you a few questions
We would like to ask you a few questions
about surveillance and how it works in Warsaw.
The first question is, how many centers of monitoring exist in Warsaw?
Well, currently we have 16 centers distributed
amongst all district headquarters and police stations in Warsaw.
The entire system operates 414 cameras,
of which 323 are monitored at a single time,
in 18 districts of Warsaw.
We have 190 operators which check cameras 24/7.
How long are recordings stored from city surveillance?
Recordings are stored for 30 days, then they are overwritten.
Of course you can copy these before the 30 days to an any median.
What are the specifications of the most typical cameras used?
So virtually all cameras, which are monitored by the
operators are PTZ cameras, you can control them remotely,
they have a 18x optical zoom. With this type of zoom, face recognition is possible from a
distance of 150 m.
Who uses your services?
All incidents are sent to the police, and the officer on duty decides
what type of backup is needed.
Is the system automated in any way?
For example, does it recognize faces or license plates?
The technology we have is not sophisticated enough for this.
Such programs are more for cameras which are placed in restricted areas.
We have a plate recognition system, which was built in 2007.
It is used by the police, but they have specifically dedicated cameras placed on the streets.
Has anyone ever broke into the system?
No, we've never had any break-ins. We have a separate network built on optical fibers. These are our own fiber optics,
we do not lease any fiber optics, and there is no point of contact with public service providers.
How often is the system upgraded?
The oldest cameras are about 10 years old and these are being exchanged
for HD camcorders, we began this process last year.
Modern Full HD camcorders cost about 16,000 PLN,
but it is only the cost of the camera. We must take into account the cost of the fiber optic network system.
We can say, that the cost of new surveillance area costs anywhere from 100,000 to 150,000 PLN.
What type of drop in criminal activity do we see in monitored areas?
Anywhere from 40% to 60%.
Do the cameras record sound?
No, we do not have cameras that record audio.
Do you stream live video from any camera?
No we don't share any videos online, because of privacy protection acts. Do you stream live video from any camera?
No we don't share any videos online, because of privacy protection acts.
Even as operators of the system,
we do not have access to recorded material. Only the police have access to these materials
which they manage themselves. You can not access the footage from these cameras
anywhere on the internet.
Thank you very much for the interview.
Thank you very much.
Good luck with the fight against evil. Thank you very much.
Good luck with the fight against evil.
Thanks. Good luck with the fight against evil.
Good luck with the fight against evil.
The first question is, do you feel like you are being watched by the surveillance in Warsaw?
Yes I do.
I don't feel like I am being watched, but I know it's there.
Absolutely not and I think that surveillance makes the city safer.
It's hard to say, I don't really feel the fact that there are many cameras watching me.
Yes, of course. I feel observed because of the cameras I see on the streets and by banks.
Monitored... no.... but safe.
Do you think that it improves your safety?
I think not, because people can behave strange even in such situations.
When it comes to everyday situations, it's not useful, in my opinion,
but on the other hand it's used to help in emergency situations, so I'm not entirely opposed.
Absolutely yes, so many crimes occur in Warsaw that monitoring is very important, for sure it helps the police.
In a way yes, but I think that this is...
a more complicated issue.
It improves my sense of safety.
I don't feel it personally, but according to the information from newspapers and TV,
one can obtain valuable information from surveillance. I think it has sense.
A gu gu gu gu?
. . .
Does it restrict your freedom?
Yes, I think it limits my freedom and it controls me.
I believe it does not restrict my freedom in any way.
In certain situations it can be thought of as a restriction of freedom.
No, because as I said, in my case I do not commit criminal offenses or anything...
I'm scared that it can be overdone like in the U.K., where people feel invigilated at every step.
Are you for expansion of surveillance in Warsaw?
I don't think so...
I'm not for the expansion.
Absolutely yes, all the modern metropolises are expanding surveillance. I absolutely think that it should be expanded.
The current condition is satisfactory.
Yes, provided that this expansion would give the chance to catch potential criminals quicker.
If the cameras are going to look at me from all sides, then rather not,
but if the general idea is safety, then yes.
Thank you very much for the interview.
Subtitle support: Karol Mielnicki