Buffalo State, like many other institutions and offices and factories is filled with surveillance cameras, either outside or in areas of dorms or offices or even some stairwells around the campus.
They are part of the public safety system of the 33-member Police Department and student assistants, especially those monitoring dorm entrances in the evening.
Police Chief Peter Carey said there isn't often anyone monitoring what's shown on the surveillance cameras.
"They're there as a preventive measure and deterrent. They are also there as an investigative tool. And, they are also part of our police response," Carey said.
"But, if we had as many cameras as the campus community would like, we would like need dozens of people to monitor them and that's not a practical way to operate a video surveillance system."
Carey said the system is likely to be expanded, especially as dorms are modernized or re-built. That's when cameras will be installed in more stairwells as some already have been in newer or rebuilt dorms.
