Improved videos are helping police catch crooks

It was a scenario that often frustrated police.

A few years ago, it wasn't uncommon for an officer investigating a convenience store or bank robbery to ask for a copy of the business's surveillance tape. But many times when detectives got the video, they discovered it was a VHS tape that was too worn or grainy from being recorded over so many times that hardly anything could be seen. Sometimes a clerk would forget to put a tape in the recorder altogether.

Today, however, many businesses are making full use of the advances in video technology. The use of such cameras has become commonplace for banks and stores.

"One thing we've noticed lately, with the advent of new technology, businesses have adopted that technology into their way of operating," said Salt Lake City police detective Jeff Bedard.

Digital surveillance cameras are giving detectives an edge they didn't have before in finding criminals immediately after a business is robbed. Unlike in the past when it was often difficult to see any distinguishing features on a criminal, some surveillance video today is so clear that investigators can spot a variety of details, including tattoos or jewelry they're wearing.

"It has definitely paid dividends for us as a police department," Bedard said. "We're only as good as the information we can obtain. Businesses are realizing the importance of that equipment. The chances of catching a bad guy are dramatically increased with good surveillance video."

A good example of how clean video dramatically helps law enforcement came Dec. 11 when the Golden West Credit Union in Ogden was robbed. A man in a yellow hoodie with "Wyoming" printed on it presented a note demanding money.

"(Detectives) knew within 30 minutes who the guy was because of the camera and photos," said Ogden Police Lt. Scott Sangberg. "That photo was a dead giveaway. They were able to put together a pretty good photo lineup real quick."

The man was arrested at his home the next day.

The banking industry in general has been slower than other businesses in installing updated security cameras, Sangberg said. But in recent months more and more of them have been installing digital equipment.

"I think now that the banks are starting to go away from VHS you'll start seeing better quality," he said. "Anyone who would go VHS when you have digital out there is crazy."

Sangberg said businesses like Rite Aid, Maverik Country Store and Flying J have been particularly good at installing the latest video surveillance equipment.