MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – SkyCop cameras are helping police catch criminals across the Bluff City, but the reality is not every community in Memphis has them.
However, two Shelby County commissioners are hoping to change that, by providing grants to communities so they can buy their own SkyCop cameras.
Memphis Police only pay for a certain number of SkyCop cameras in the city, which leaves some neighborhood associations picking up the costs if they want extra security. Thanks to grants allocated to the county, they’ll be getting some help.
“We’ve done a lot of talk, the budget passed in June, it got implemented in July, we’re in October, it’s time to rock and roll,” said Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr., who represents District 9.
People who live in neighborhoods including Whitehaven, Westwood, and South Memphis rolled up their sleeves and met city and county leaders at the table to talk SkyCop cameras.
“We decided what was the most critical areas that we saw fit for the cameras to be placed. We already have some cameras in our neighborhood, but there are other areas that we feel as a community that we need to place these cameras at,” said Ruth Rallings with the Westwood Neighborhood Association.
Communities who want SkyCop cameras in certain areas have to pay at least $5,000 for the cameras and even more for monitoring.
“We get out and we do the work. We have fundraisers, we go door to door, go to different businesses around Elvis Pressley and around the Graceland area asking for donations,” Bridget Bradley, President of Watchful Eye Neighborhood Watch explained.
Some additional funding should help ease the burden. Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr. says he has enough grant money for 25 cameras that will be dispersed to neighborhood associations.
“From the second grant account I’m going to allocate $500 for each one of those neighborhoods so they can receive the technology for an entire year,” Commissioner Ford explained.
His colleague, Commissioner Eddie Jones, is following suit. Thursday night, residents also met with members of the Memphis Police Department to find out where the bulk of crimes are happening in their neighborhoods so they can be efficient in camera placement.
“Although cameras can’t necessarily prevent crime, they will help to reduce it,” said Patricia Smith with Watchful Eye Neighborhood Watch.
Although Commissioners Ford and Jones have the funding to help these associations, it has to be officially approved by the Shelby County Commission. Ford says that should happen next Wednesday.