$144K Grant Awarded To Plumstead Township Police To Upgrade Technology

PLUMSTEAD TOWNSHIP, PA — The Plumstead Township Police Department has been awarded a $144,0000 local law enforcement grant through the Pennsylvania Crime and Delinquency program to implement technology improvements and to purchase and upgrade equipment.

The department will be using the funding to upgrade its body-worn and in-car camera systems.

Purchased in 2015, the current body-worn cameras have been an asset to the department being deployed on each shift and used by officers on patrol to enhance transparency and accountability, said Chief David A. Mettin.

The department will also use the funding to add four Automated License Plate Recognition cameras to its arsenal of crime-busting technology. The units alert officers and investigators of stolen vehicles, wanted individuals, individuals on a terrorist watchlist and other offenders entered into the National Crime Information Center.

"The department has had many successes developing leads and arrests utilizing this technology," said Chief Mettin. "Adding other locations to install the fixed ALPR system will enhance our crime solving ability by having the platform to scan additional plates and identify additional offenders, building from our current success."

The department will also use grant funding to upgrade its in-house video system, allowing the department to safeguard evidence and enhance monitoring of both interior and exterior locations of the police facility. The system will allow staff to monitor exterior events, monitor citizen-officer interactions, monitor holding cell and interview area interactions and increase officers and citizen safety.