Everyday one news outlet or law enforcement group puts out a security camera photo of someone who has robbed a store or broken into a car. The story surrounding that photo usually asks us "if you recognize this person please let us know."
The problem is the image is usually very blurred with little or no contrast. It's impossible to make out much except for the clothes being worn. I often wonder why they even bother posting those pictures. And, with the huge advances in photography and video cameras, why don't more users get a security camera which actually shows very clear images.
I know these cameras commonly exist because the seminary now has them and if we can do this so can stores and other places. A couple of weeks ago on a Saturday night one of our women students and a Washington University student walking through the campus were held up at gunpoint. Thankfully neither were hurt. The Wash U guy was held up in front of our house, they got his phone and a rotisserie chicken he'd just picked up at Schnucks. Our student had nothing to steal so they shoved her down and went on toward the other guy.
The police came here in force. Dale was out of town on that night and as I began watching the police look for the two perpetrators, I was rather frightened as you might expect. The police fanned out down the entire street, using flashlights to search backyards, inside homes, etc. They eventually found the Schnucks bag with the chicken and handled it with great care and took it to an evidence bag where they dusted for finger prints.
But how did they finally catch these guys? It was our security cameras upgraded in the past two years. Our campus facilities manager was called right away and he came in from his home. His phone is linked to the security cameras we have all over campus and it clearly showed what happened to the woman student. The police got the information they needed as the two culprits were clearly shown as well as the getaway car parked at the edge of campus.
The Clayton police were able to track that car and called for help from the St. Louis Police and they got the two somewhere on north Skinker at Delmar. I learned at 10:30 that night that they were in jail with a huge cash only bond.
All this is in aid of...if commercial places and homeowners are looking for a security camera, get a good one.
