11 Investigates breakdown that led to city surveillance camera problems

PITTSBURGH — Target 11 obtained an internal report from the City of Pittsburgh that is highly critical of the former head of the city's camera surveillance network. The report accuses the former employee of mismanaging the system and potentially jeopardizing public safety, and the report also claims more than $500,000 worth of invoices were never paid.

A shooting at the Wood Street T station in downtown Pittsburgh in fall 2016 led to the discovery that a city surveillance camera wasn't working. Investigating the problem led to the shocking revelation that approximately 60 of the 225 city-owned cameras were not working. But Target 11 obtained a report that indicates the city was aware of issues with the camera network months earlier.

"Our commanders were sending complaints to this department, and they were never being forwarded to Hitachi, who were were paying to fix this," said Kevin Acklin, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto's chief of staff.

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The report indicates problems began in March 2016, when Sauntee Turner, the employee responsible for overseeing the cameras went on family and medical leave. After she left, more than $500,000 in unpaid invoices, some for maintenance, were found in her desk. And Mayor Peduto has said old camera photos were used to make it look like broken cameras were still working.

"Classic breakdown and somebody just not doing their job, and exposing the public to public safety concerns, exposing our officers, when you don't have a working public camera system, crimes go unsolved," said Acklin.

Target 11 discovered Turner was hired in 2008 as a recreation leader, making $22,752.29 a year. In just three years, she nearly tripled her salary, when she was promoted to development manager, making $63,364.08 a year. She received more raises, and in 2014, just days before the Peduto administration took over, a nearly $10,000 increase to a total annual salary of $74,818.64.

"It was done five days before we took office, which is suspect I would say," said Acklin.

Target 11's Rick Earle spoke with some former employees  who worked with Turner, and they tell a different story. They said Turner was very responsive and wanted to get things done, and believe that she is being made the scapegoat in this situation.

Turner never returned and her position was eliminated. The case was turned over to the Office of Municipal Investigations, and no criminal charges were filed. But Mayor Peduto moved the entire camera network out of the jurisdiction of the Department of Performance and Innovation and into Public Safety.

Nearly all of the cameras are working, and there are plans to expand the network by incorporating private cameras as well as cameras from other agencies into the system. The people who are now in charge of the cameras are well aware of the importance of proper maintenance.

"It's an important tool for us and we put forth the effort to make sure it's working as we need it to work," said Linda Barrone, an assistant chief with the Pittsburgh Police Department.

Target 11 repeatedly tried to contact Turner, but she never returned our calls.

Cox Media Group