How Darien Residents Can Get Outdoor Cameras

DARIEN, IL — Darien wants more outdoor cameras around town to help solve crimes, and officials say they have found a way to do it. At Monday's City Council meeting, Mayor Joseph Marchese said the city obtained a $10,000 grant from ComEd to help with a residential camera program. That money is contingent on the city matching it with the same amount, for a total of $20,000.

The mayor said the city must work out the details of the program, including the amount of reimbursements for each family and the quality of cameras. Under the plan, the police would register the cameras, so it can use them for solving crimes, he said.

Last year, the City Council agreed to spend $10,000 on helping families buy outdoor cameras, Marchese said. But that money was axed a few months ago as part of $3.6 million in budget cuts as a result of the pandemic's economic effects.

Police Chief Greg Thomas worked through the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus to get the ComEd grant.

Alderman Eric Gustafson wondered whether the grant would be retroactive for residents who have already bought outdoor cameras.

The mayor said the grant prohibits such reimbursements and that the grant would help those who want to buy cameras after the council approves spending the $10,000. A vote is expected in early September.

The mayor said he wanted the process for reimbursements to be "fairly simple."