Award Information
Description of original award (Fiscal Year 2008, $626,044)
The Edward Byrne Memorial Discretionary Grants Program (Byrne Discretionary Program) helps local communities improve the capacity of local justice systems and provides for national support efforts. This project is authorized and funded through a line item in the FY 08 Congressional Budget. Funds should be used for purposes recommended by Congress.
The Camden County Prosecutor's Office, the City of Camden, and the Camden Police Department, have partnered with stakeholders (Cooper University Hospital, Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority, Camden Housing Authority, Camden Board of Education, and others), residents, and business owners throughout the City to address the increasing crime and violence that plague the city. After evaluating several years of community input, statistical data, and calls for service, it was determined that much of the crime was accruing along Camden's commercial districts. This undesired activity not only resulted in increased crime throughout the business district and surrounding neighborhoods but also hampered future development efforts along the corridors.
With this in mind, the Camden County Prosecutor's Office will be using their 2008 Congressional Earmark funds to install video surveillance cameras throughout the City of Camden.
The Camden County Prosecutor's Office, the City of Camden, and the City of Camden Police Department all have done extensive research on the matter of security. As a result of the research, the concept of the 'Eye in the Sky' Program was established. The 'Eye in the Sky' is a program that will place CCTV cameras in six business corridors in the City of Camden(Broadway, Mt. Ephraim, Haddon, Federal, Westfield, and Yorkship Square). The cameras will be highly visible (exterior mounted cameras) within the business area as well as posted signs informing pedestrians that the area is under camera surveillance. The use of video surveillance cameras has proven to have a positive impact on reducing criminal offenses throughout the State of New Jersey.
NCA/NCF