Plum, a township in Pennsylvania, is installing surveillance cameras at three key intersections in an effort to combat crime. The township council has approved a $26,000 budget for the cameras, which will be matched by the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. These cameras will be integrated into a larger network used by the police department to assist in crime solving.
The chosen locations for the surveillance cameras are Hulton Road at Route 909 near Sheetz, Route 380 at Center Road near Puff Discount Tobacco, and Route 286 at Presque Isle Drive near Presque Isle Plaza. Township Interim Manager David Soboslay has confirmed their placement, highlighting the strategic positioning to maximize coverage and deter criminal activity.
This initiative is part of a larger program implemented by District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., who has already provided grants for cameras to over 48 communities. The program has been successful in assisting in identifying criminal activity and accidents. The expanded surveillance network, organized by Zappala, currently consists of 2,600 cameras across multiple counties.
It is important to note that these cameras do not have facial recognition capabilities and are primarily focused on license plate recognition. The intention is to enhance the identification of suspects involved in criminal incidents such as thefts, robberies, and hit-and-run accidents.
The Frazer police, who previously received funding from Zappala, saw a significant increase in the arrest and conviction rate for shoplifters after installing surveillance cameras at a shopping complex. Detective Joseph Little of the Plum Police Department is anticipating the implementation of the cameras, emphasizing their integration with existing networks in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.
While the cameras will not be monitored in real-time, officers and investigators will have access to the footage for various incidents, ensuring a more efficient investigative process. Plum has previously installed cameras on the western side of the borough since 2016, and the new cameras will enhance surveillance capabilities in each of their three patrol zones.
The installation of surveillance cameras at Plum intersections is a proactive step towards combating crime and improving public safety. The use of technology provides law enforcement with valuable tools to identify suspects and investigate incidents. As the program expands to more communities, it is expected to significantly contribute to crime prevention efforts in the region.
