Cameras coming to high-crime areas

The city will install new surveillance cameras in high-crime areas to help reduce violent criminal activity and improve public safety.

Officials are still finalizing the exact locations for the cameras, which will likely be placed in areas where police have responded to frequent incidents.

During their meeting last Tuesday, aldermen approved the purchase of five new cameras from Flock Safety. The cameras are expected to arrive within four to five weeks.

Cate Carerrio, a representative of Flock Safety, introduced the camera system to the aldermen in mid-November. Flock Safety cameras provide live video solutions designed to complement the city’s existing license plate reader technology and serve as a storage platform for recorded footage, integrating seamlessly with the city’s evidence database.

Carerrio said that the cameras are designed to detect and focus on violent activity, automatically sending alerts to the police department for a quick response. The system also allows the police to share footage effortlessly with the Sheriff’s Department and other agencies during joint operations.

Aldermen approved purchasing the standard Condor version of Flock Safety cameras at an annual cost of $3,000 per camera, with a one-time installation fee of $150 per unit. The total cost for the first year will be $15,750, with annual costs dropping to $15,000 in year two.

“Our biggest issues have been the streets within our community,” said Mayor James A. Young of high-crime west Philadelphia. “I had reservations about putting cameras in the street area, but we had one resident say she would rather feel safe than feel invaded. We want to make sure the cameras are set to visualize what’s going on in the streets.”

In other business:

• A motion was made to approve the low quote from Richard Cooney to remove a tree on Beech Street city property for $3,650, with the higher quote being from DLC Tree and Land Services at $4,500. The vote was as follows: Shaun Seales – Aye, James Tatum – Aye, James Waltman – Nay, Jim Fulton – Nay. The motion failed;

• Approve a motion to cancel the previous purchase of two trucks and one Ford-F550 from Landers Auto, and to continue purchasing one Ford-F550 from Landers Auto for the Street Department. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to renew property and casualty insurance with Travelers as presented by Security Insurance. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to place speed bumps along Jericho Street. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Aldermen continued the hearing on 276 W Atkins St. and opened the floor for discussion. A was made to approve the variance on 276 W Atkins St. from R1 to C1 to allow for the operation of an in-home hair salon. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Aldermen opened a hearing on 207 Everett Ave., rezoning for discussion. A motion was made to approve the rezoning on 207 Everett Ave. from R1 to R3. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to allow MaxxSouth to place a road bore along Robinhood Circle and Sherwood Drive. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to accept the lowest and best quote for the painting project at Booker T Gym for $1,150 from Watkins Pressure Washing & Painting, with the higher quote being $4,995 from Matt Boatner Construction. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to purchase a Hurst Jaws of Life tool package from MES for the fire department at the cost of $30,500, which is reimbursable from the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security (MOHS) Taskforce Grant. The motion was unanimously approved;

• Approve a motion to purchase three Sensit Gold Gas Detectors from NAFECO for the fire department at the cost of $6,990, which is reimbursable from MOHS Taskforce Grant. The motion was unanimously approved.