East Lansdowne Police will be able to monitor roads with real-time, AI-powered video cameras.
The department announced Thursday a partnership to deploy 41 AI-powered public safety cameras in districts less than 1 square mile in size.
In a borough press release, officials said the initiative, partially funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) in partnership with DELCO Solutions and Verkada Inc., represents a significant investment in modern, technology-driven public safety infrastructure.
“Through our partnership with DELCO Solutions and Verkada Inc., East Lansdowne joins a growing number of communities across the country that are leveraging responsible technology to improve public safety outcomes,” said Police Chief James Cadden. “Ultimately, this effort will improve public safety, improve police response, and provide crime victims with valuable evidence as they seek justice, all while respecting the privacy of our residents.”
According to a press release, the system aims to strengthen crime prevention, improve emergency response, and strengthen investigative capabilities while respecting residents' privacy.
Police officers will be able to view cameras from their police vehicles before arriving at a crime scene.
Officials stressed that the new public security cameras would only be installed along public roads and sidewalks.
There are no cameras that can monitor private homes, and the system is designed to focus only on public spaces where community safety is paramount.
Officials said the system uses advanced artificial intelligence and real-time monitoring capabilities and can access video in real time as incidents occur.
Responding officers assess the situation prior to arrival to help identify suspect movements, vehicles, or potential threats. This technology provides immediate visual context to dispatchers and officers at the scene, reducing response times.
Video of the incident can also be recorded, which plays an important role in post-incident investigations and trials.
Cameras record objective evidence of criminal activity and can help identify suspects, vehicles, and timelines, as well as corroborate witness statements and officer observations.
This technology ultimately helps ensure fair and accurate outcomes in court proceedings while adhering to due process.
Officials said strict policies apply to the use of cameras, access to footage and data retention. The system will not be used to monitor legitimate activity and will not monitor individuals based on their characteristics, the release states.
