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Board of Mayor and Aldermen approve high-tech crime cameras for Vicksburg

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Chief Jones, Mayor Flaggs, Lt. Smith and Bryan Lagarde look at one of the high end cameras. Photo by David Day
Chief Jones, Mayor Flaggs, Lt. Smith and Bryan Lagarde look at one of the high end cameras. Photo by David Day

The Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Alderman (BOMA) voted to adopt a resolution to install new, high-tech crime cameras around the city.

“I think it is something that we need to keep our community safe,” said Police Chief Penny Jones. “I’m all for the cameras and we need them in our city.”

City employees watch cameras in real time. Photo by David Day

City employees watch cameras in real time. Photo by David Day

During the July 8 BOMA meeting, Jones stated the NOLA camera system has the ability to zoom in with such clarity, that they were able to see the serial number of a gun on a person’s body. Jones went on to state the service fees for the system are extremely cost-efficient.

“We see so many things on TV, NCIS and all these FBI shows, things that the camera system does that we think, ‘OK, this is TV, so we know this is not real’, Jones said during the July 8 meeting. “Going to New Orleans with several of my colleagues a couple of days ago – it’s possible. Everything you see on TV, just about, the NOLA camera system can do.”

Mayor Flaggs studies the screen at Project NOLA. Photo by David Day

Mayor Flaggs studies the screen at Project NOLA. Photo by David Day

Crime prevention is the main focus of the new cameras that the city has agreed to purchase.

“It will place crime-subsidized cameras in areas which have been identified as needed areas by VPD, the IT Department, and the Main Street Program,” said city attorney Kim Nailor.

Mayor George Flaggs, Jr. also mentioned that he will place cameras at the schools and will ask the Vicksburg-Warren School District to just pay for the installment.

“We thought it was important to identify the schools in the city and ask the school board to pay for the installments of these cameras,” Flaggs said. If the school board chooses not to pay for it then we’ll do it.”

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