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C'ville PD looking to buy surveillance cameras
The Coatesville Police Department's budget includes a request for $100,000 to buy four to six surveillance video cameras. The cameras, according to Chief Matthews, would monitor activity on the street.
"They give the police department eyes on the street," Matthews said at Monday's City Council meeting. "These are very public and designed to deter crime and aid us when there is street crime."
The department is also looking to purchase two new Dodge Charger police cruisers. The department bought two cruisers earlier this year.
City Council is expected to vote on the city's budget Dec. 8, at which time council will decide whether or not to provide funding for the cameras and cars.
"They give the police department eyes on the street," Matthews said at Monday's City Council meeting. "These are very public and designed to deter crime and aid us when there is street crime."
The department is also looking to purchase two new Dodge Charger police cruisers. The department bought two cruisers earlier this year.
City Council is expected to vote on the city's budget Dec. 8, at which time council will decide whether or not to provide funding for the cameras and cars.
posted by Jenn Miller at
4:18 PM
11 Comments:
Hopefully one of the cameras will be on wagontown road. Not at the top or bottom but smack in the middle where it needs to be.
My question really is who will monitor these cameras? I think we all agree that we need the officers out on patrol so that being said is will be watching? Matthews? I mean since he's not technically a cop he could actually earn his salary.
What happened to all the cameras they used for the "Young Gun" prosectutions?
Who is monitoring the two cameras already on Lincoln Highway? Have they helped apprehend any criminals or deter crime. Can Coatesville really afford $100,000.
When the police have to spend money on surveillance cameras I believe they have gave up on the people who live in the community.
They need to use the people in the community as their eyes and ears, but to do that they have to develop better relationships with the people they serve.
The 100K that is being proposed to buy these camers could be used to start community relation type programs and as for new cars the officers should be on foot and bikes.
Matthews is no better than Richard Legree. Its sad in coatsville. Matthews probably would have a medical excuse for not being able to watch the cameras.
Coatsville should just be bulldozed. They still havent found the missing teen. Then they delete the public comments. OYE
To November 28th 5:15PM
You can’t silence the cameras before they testify. At least 4 of the people most recently shot were about to testify.
I think the cameras are a good idea as long as there are people monitoring them at all times. I think the dodge chargers are not necessary. Why do police need that type of car? They need more bike and foot patrol. The also need to constantly drive up and down alley's and streets. Not sit in the middle of "the flats" waiting for someone to go over the stupid 25 mile an hour speed limit. And don' just patrol the terrible sections of Coatesville. Go out to East End where the police think not much is going on. Alot of criminal activity is happening on All the streets. Start patroling and stop sitting around in your cars.
I think that the coatesville cops need more respect than most of you are giving them. There are only a handful of them and more of the criminals in the streets. Why would you want a policeofficer to ride a bike in this town or better yet walk. What are you all crazy? We need protection from the evil ones that roam the street and hurt old women by setting there houses on fire and by picking up young guys and killing them. In this life it is good against evil especially in coatesville and I want my protection protected.
I pay Coatesville Taxes, and I am infuriated that Coatesville Police feel they need two cruisers. Why don't they double up? Two officers in 1 cruiser. Most of the time, more than I car shows up anyway so the officer has reinforcement. Along with the two cars, comes added gas monies, and insurance bills. Why don't they have a bake sale to raise money, like our schools have to when they need more supplies?
In addition, LR asked a good question...When the Young Guns were being investigated, they relied on a lot of video cameras. Where are they? Were they sold or just mothballed? Maybe someone needs to be accountable for all our tax money that is being spent. How about records for all vehicles used by the Coatesville Police Department? Is there some where we can access these? Can they reuse things such as lights, or do they really need new fangled high tech gadgets? Come on, the economy is down, and we all have to make cutbacks here. I wish I these people would stop thinking we are made of money! How much does it cost to have horses vs all the money that gets put into cars with maintenance, insurance, repairs, computers, ect?
you dont need dodge chargers unless your highway patrol.Interact with the community more and you will see results.First you have to gain trust of the community and not put fear in people.Pulling people over and slamming them out of the car is a bad start.
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