Daily Skiff

The TCU Police Department is working to keep up with the times when it comes to surveillance camera technology, the department's chief said.

"Camera technology is changing so fast that we don't want to get locked into one specific system that isn't capable of keeping up with the pace," TCU Police Chief Steve McGee said.

The economy has also caused the police department to act sensibly when purchasing the new cameras, McGee said.

"Because of the recession, we are being very prudent about the amount and type of cameras we purchase, " McGee said. "We are looking to purchase 100 new cameras to replace older ones."

Many new buildings on campus such as the Brown-Lupton University Union and Jarvis Hall received funding for new surveillance cameras in the initial budget of the building, McGee said.

"In the newer buildings such as the BLUU, we are getting to test out new camera platforms and operating systems so that when we purchase cameras for the entire campus they are the right ones," McGee said.

Campus police are pleased with what they have seen from the newer software being tested out in areas like the BLUU, McGee said.

"This software has more storage capability meaning we can record more, and they do not heat up as much and are energy efficient," McGee said.

Although the university continues to support the purchase of new surveillance equipment, cameras do not stop crime, McGee said. They are a tool used to help solve crime, he said.

McGee referred questions about the cost of the cameras and their specific capabilities to Bryan Lucas, executive director of Technology Resources.

Lucas declined to comment.

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