Troy hopes cameras can stem crime wave
Police would carry gear; surveillance on street to be upgraded
As violent crime stokes an increasing feeling of danger, city officials were expected Thursday night to consider contracts for upgraded street surveillance cameras and body cameras for police officers.
The surveillance cameras are anticipated to help in the investigations of violent crimes and other offenses, while the body cameras would provide real-time recordings of police at crime scenes and interacting with the public. The city also will see its reconstituted Police Objective Review Board in midOctober, the first time in more than five years, Mayor Patrick Madden said.
City Council members discussed the crime issue Tuesday night. Council members pushed for ways to deal with the violence and transparency for police operations, including use-of-force policies and filing complaints with the department.
After years of delays, the city
was preparing to approve contracts of $95,823 with Eclipse Network Solution to install 120 street cameras and of $119,717 with Axon Enterprises, for body cameras.
There have been 59 shotsfired incidents this year, more than double last year’s total, Chief Brian Owens said. The city has seen 13 homicides and 22 shooting incidents in which 29 people were shot this year, Owens said.
The police department is on pace to exceed its $1.15 million overtime budget, Owens said. The department has spent $998,000 in overtime or 86.7 percent of the annual budget investigating homicides and other crimes and dealing with demonstrations and protests.