TPD: SkyCop cameras help solve crimes - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Sandra Scott works as a cook at express carryout on Page and Mulberry. Scott admits she feared coming to work in the high crime neighborhood. 

"It was really bad we had people standing on the corner it wasn't safe to come in the store the store wasn't safe," she says.

But she says that changed when the Toledo Police Department put up the SkyCop camera system. There's a camera right outside the store. And customers -- see an added benefit.

"When they see women they would be real disrespectful real rude to the point you're afraid to say anything to them because you don't know the backlash that may come of it. And by me being a woman it was just really scary and difficult so this makes it a whole lot easier so now I can come to the store and feel comfortable and feel safe walking in my own neighborhood," said customer Tanisha Coleman.

Toledo police say they've seen crime in hot spot areas dry up. They say the camera's have helped detectives solve crimes. Nearly two weeks ago two men robbed the downtown Huntington Bank twice and the PNC bank.

"We were able to track the suspect after they left the bank and we were able to develop a MO so we can figure out when the suspect was hitting how he was doing and where he was likely to go," said Toledo Police Sgt. Joe Heffernan.

Police arrested and charged Anthony Rayford and Oscar banks .. police say they were homeless.  officers say the extra eyes in the sky appear to be effective in fighting crime. This citizen agrees.

"I really appreciate it it was to the point we were scared to walk down here to the store. We would get in our cars to drive blocks away just to go to the corner store for bread or what ever so now its just a whole lot safer."