Plum officials hope to acquire new security cameras through the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office.
Mayor Harry Schlegel said the borough has been in talks with District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. as well as state Sen. James Brewster, D-McKeesport, for grant funding.
“Hopefully, we’re going to get something,” Schlegel said. “Every little bit helps, and we appreciate the help Zappala and Brewster are doing for us.”
The number of cameras and their locations have yet to be determined. Plum plans to apply for them this month.
Schlegel said he would like to see about five cameras on utility poles and traffic lights on the main roads by Plum’s borders.
“We’re a corridor for everything coming out of New Kensington and Penn Hills and going back and forth,” he said. “We want to look at those areas. We’re on the fringe of Allegheny County, so a lot of stuff’s coming in. If there’s any crime committed like a hit-and-run, we’ll be able to track the vehicle. If they’re headed toward Monroeville, their cameras can pick it up.”
Monroeville acquired surveillance cameras from Zappala’s office a few years ago. Another one was recently activated at the intersection of James Street and Monroeville Boulevard.
Municipal officials said they add an extra layer of support for law enforcement.
“We continue to build the system out,” Monroeville Police Chief Doug Cole said. “… They’re very effective. It really gives us another level of investigation and another way to go. It certainly provides us another tool that’s been successful in prosecuting cases.”
Cole said the closest district attorney surveillance camera to Plum is at the Route 22 and 286 intersections.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Cole said about Plum’s inquiry. “These cameras are here to stay. Plum should probably buy some of them.”
Plum Police Chief Lanny Conley could not be reached for comment.
Calls and an email to the DA’s office were not immediately returned.
