Grant money offered for security cameras by City of Philadelphia to Philadelphia business owners

In an effort to assist Philadelphia based businesses make the city and their surrounding areas safer, and to assist with reducing crime and catching criminals, the city has started offering grants to Philadelphia business owners who install exterior surveillance camera systems.  The city will give a grant of 50% (based on paperwork needing to be filled out by the owner) of the installation of an exterior security camera / DVR system up to $3000.  This is a great opportunity for businesses that wanted to better protect their businesses with cameras but didnt have the upfront money needed to get these systems with the out of pocket only being 50% of the total investment.  Philadelphia is trying to take back the streets and make them safe with this excellent program.  Of course there are terms and conditions (which we are conveniently listing below).  Please feel free to contact me at cfnydick@verizon.net or 215-264-4234 for more information and assistance.  Thank you and be safe!

Commerce SafeCam Program Guidelines

City of Philadelphia, Department of Commerce

Program Description

The
purpose of the Commerce SafeCam Program is to encourage businesses and property owners within neighborhood commercial corridors to install surveillance cameras, making these areas safer for shoppers and the community while growing their vitality and economic performance. The program
reimburses owners of commercial buildings and businesses up to 50% of the total cost of eligible improvements, for a maximum reimbursement of $3,000.00 for a single commercial property. The digital camera security system must have the
ability for remote log in by the Philadelphia Police Department and be
installed on the outside of your building providing surveillance for your business and the public space.

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be the owner of a commercially occupied property or an operating tenant business with approval of the property owners or an established business association or community based organization representing
a number of businesses in a particular area. Applicants must be operating
legally, properly registered, licensed with the City of Philadelphia and current with all City obligations, including but not limited to taxes, licenses, water revenue billings, as well as any assessments due to Business/Neighborhood Improvement
Districts.

Eligible Equipment

All surveillance system equipment shall be subject to review and approval by the
Philadelphia Police Department and requirements may vary by business type and property. The following are the minimum specifications required for a Commerce Safecam Program award.

CAMERAS

1. IP-enabled.

2. Operate with a minimum of 480 Total Vertical Lines
(TVL) of resolution.

3. Capable of recording color images during sufficient
lighting and recording black and white images during hours of low light.

4. Tailored to each Eligible Property taking into consideration:

thedistance to the target image; the “lux rating” or compatibility with the amount of light available to include excessive amounts of sunlight; and the view angle of camera in relation to area of desired coverage.

5. Have a clear and unobstructed view of outside areas of
desired coverage.

DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDINGS (DVR)or NETWORK VIDEO RECORDINGS (NVR)

1. DVRs must have one dedicated channel for each camera in
operation.

2. Record at least 640 X 480 recording resolution levels.

3. Have the capacity to record at least fifteen (15)
frames per second, per camera.

4. Have sufficient memory to retain data from all cameras
for a period of at least fifteen (15) days. Possess the ability toview and retrieve data while the system remains in operation.

5. Possess the ability to produce a copy of desired data
for evidentiary purposes.

6. Be placed in a locked and secured location to prevent
destruction or tampering.

Revised Feb 2013 Commerce SafeCam Program Guidelines Page
2 of 2

Application Process

1. Contact Philadelphia Department of Commerce at 215-683-2027 to request an
application. The application will require:

a. Photos of your building clearly showing where surveillance camera will be
located, and at least one photo showing the entire front façade of your building.

b. Estimates from two (2) licensed contractors detailing camera specifications.

c. A letter from building owner (if this is not you) granting permission for the
proposed work.

2. Completed applications should be delivered to Linda Lawrence, Commerce
Department, 1515 Arch Street, 12th floor, Phila, PA 19102 or Linda.Lawrence@phila.gov. The applicant will be notified that the application

has been received and whether anything is missing. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

3. Philadelphia Department of Commerce will send an award letter, specifying
amount of reimbursement.

Once received, the applicant can proceed with purchase and installation.

4. Once the cameras are installed they must be registered with the Philadelphia Police Department SafeCam crime prevention and investigating tool.
https://safecam.phillypolice.com/registration

5. A member of the Philadelphia Police Department will follow up and provide a PPD Safecam window decal.

6. When registration is complete, submit copies of invoices and proof of payment,
along with color photos of the installed cameras and a copy of SafeCam registration, to the Commerce Department and a reimbursement check will be mailed out.

Additional Program Requirements

 Economic Opportunity: As part of Mayor Nutter’s Strategic Plan for this
Administration, a goal to create and retain jobs by fostering an improved business environment has been established. One of the strategies designed to achieve this end is strengthening supports to minority, women, and disabled residents and

businesses. All applicants certify to make “best and good faith efforts” to include
businesses owned and controlled by minority persons (MBEs), women (WBEs) and disabled persons (DSBEs) in their projects. In excercise of “best and good faith efforts” applicants for this program must solicit MBEs, WBEs and DSBEs for
participation in the project. Potential M/W/DSBE project participants can be
found in the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Economic Opportunity Directory of Certified Firms. Contact OEO at215-686-6232 or review the online directory at http://oeo.phila.gov/directory.asp or the Pennsylvania Unified Certification
Program’s Directory of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises at ttp://www.paucp.com.

The amount that this program is able to approve for reimbursement will not always be equal to 50% of the eligible costs or the maximum amount due to availability of funds and restrictions in how program funds can be spent.

Projects within areas with special design controls or within historic districts must comply with those requirements.