Expand Intersection Cameras and Technology Upgrades

The Bethlehem Police Department will utilize the funds from the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant of $33,577 to expand and update our intersection camera network. 

The Bethlehem Police Department handles approximately 59,00 calls for service per year. The Department covers over 250 miles of City, County, and State roadways with over 108 traffic light-controlled intersections. We currently have 28 of these intersections covered with a camera network. The 28 active cameras are mostly on high-volume roadways with up to 6,500 to 33,000 daily volume.The Police Department has continued its commitment to expand this network yearly by 2-4 intersections. 

This grant cycle we are looking to purchase high-resolution multi-image cameras and or PTZ cameras along with other peripherals to expand our camera capability into two (2) high-volume intersections at E. Broad and Linden St and Center St. 

These cameras capture and record in four directions viewing all four roadways of the intersection. These cameras can also be linked with license plate readers to expand the camera's effectiveness in future wave of upgrades. 

This expansion will allow the department to utilize the latest technology to capture evidence, information, and statistics in an area previously unrecorded. This will permit the department to gather all of the pertinent data needed to help deter and solve criminal activity in these higher-traffic areas. 

The City of Bethlehem Police Department intends to use its award from the 2024 Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to continue its efforts in increasing efficiency in all functional areas of the department. The Bethlehem Police Department will be using approximately 100% of the grant funding towards the camera network and supplies that will be used to expand the network.