Surveillance cameras monitored by the police have become a ubiquitous presence in many cities. In Newark, anyone with internet access is allowed to watch. The Citizen Virtual Patrol has been hailed by officials as a move toward transparency in a city where a mistrust of the police runs deep, rooted in long-running claims of aggressive enforcement and racial animosity. The cameras provide a way to recruit residents as Newark tries to shake a dogged reputation for violence and crime. Since the program started about 1 month ago, 1600 users have signed into the website, and residents have been lobbying the department to add more cameras in their neighborhoods.

• Uncategorized