Philadelphia Council wants to follow Baltimore on security cameras

Philadelphia City Council is looking at adding more security cameras in the city. 

After checking out Baltimore’s security camera system, Council President Darrell Clarke says Philadelphia is falling behind.  He says Baltimore carefully placed its cameras and worked with the public to integrate their systems — something he wants to duplicate here.

“Having everybody engaged, the business sector, the residents, the community organizations and most importantly the city of Philadelphia and their ability of kind of pull it together will ultimately allow us to create probably one of the most enhanced security cam systems in the city of Philadelphia,” said Clarke.

Philadelphia Housing Authority Interim Executive Director Kelvin Jeremiah says PHA is spending $10 million, adding 500 new cameras to help stop crime and tighten security.

“The goal is to establish a closed circuit TV presence in communal areas and allow for the surveillance of our developments and office locations that PHA [police] has determined a priority,” said Jeremiah.

Philadelphia already coordinates with private businesses and homeowners so police can access their cameras. Officials are talking about offering incentives to private companies and homeowners that make their cameras available to police. They say it could be a quick way to expand the camera network.