SJPD seeking funds to install more license plate cameras

By Leah Rainwater

The St. Joseph Police Department is looking to add 10 new license plate cameras to traffic lights around the city if they can secure a grant.

The city council had an initial read of the resolution at Monday night’s meeting.

The St. Joseph Police Department plans to apply for approximately $33,683 to go toward 10 new license plate cameras to be placed throughout traffic lights in the city. The department hopes to earn the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice grant, which would provide more equipment for local law enforcement.

So far, there are 12 cameras throughout the city, and the police department said the technology is working well.

“They’re already in place here in St. Joe, have been for about a year,” said St. Joseph Police Chief Paul Luster. “We’ve seen a tremendous amount of value as a police department utilizing this technology.”

Luster said the department was awarded grant money from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice grant for the initial 12 cameras and that the cameras have proven to be resourceful.

“Our investigators have been able to use them,” Luster said. “We’ve solved just, numerous crimes, I’ve gotten numerous leads for crimes that we would’ve never had that chance to do.”

The police department would also be able to share the camera system with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.

The deadline for the department to apply would be before the end of October.