Alabama Power partnering with Birmingham Police to install over 300 cameras

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - The city of Birmingham is set to install 330 cameras to aid law enforcement in fighting crime and monitoring public areas. The cost is estimated to be around $90,000 per month, but city officials believe that the benefits of crime prevention outweigh the expense.

These cameras will be equipped with license plate readers, allowing real-time monitoring of vehicles and their license plate numbers. This will provide the police access to 300 different camera feeds throughout the city daily, aiding in the prompt apprehension of criminals.

The initiative is being carried out in partnership with Alabama Power to expand the number of cameras for real-time monitoring of city streets and neighborhoods. The cameras will be installed on power poles throughout the city. Recent studies have shown that approximately 700,000 crimes are solved annually with the help of cameras. Officer Truman Fitzgerald with BPD is optimistic that increased video surveillance will also help prevent crimes from occurring.

“Police can’t be everywhere, and what we have seen is that Birmingham’s Police Department’s Real Time Crime Center has been a force multiplier when it comes to providing resources to our officers, and technology is at the center of the power of the Real Time Crime Center,” says Fitzgerald. “Someone is watching you at all times. Even if it isn’t an officer, we still have access to those cameras, and we will use them to prosecute you.”

In addition, the mayor announced a $4 million grant for the Birmingham Police Department to enhance their Real Time Crime Center with more advanced technology. This grant will also expand shot spotter coverage, further improving public safety.

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