The installation of 1,000 state-of-the-art camera lenses in more than 200 locations throughout Atlantic City, with a focus on city neighborhoods, is now underway. Funds for the $5-million project, announced last year, are coming from supplemental aid in the 2023 State of New Jersey budget, meaning this will come at zero cost to the taxpayers of Atlantic City.
“This is yet another effort to make the Great City of Atlantic City a cleaner and safer city,” said City of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, Sr. “Projects like this have always been talked about, and now it is finally getting done under the Small administration. This gives the Atlantic City Police Department, the best police department in the world, more eyes on the streets as we look to improve public safety, especially in our neighborhoods.”
This project will change the landscape of Atlantic City and revolutionize the way Law Enforcement protects the community, by utilizing unprecedented Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities. Once installed, the new cameras are expected to:
- Enhance Public Safety – AI cameras will be instrumental in real time response and provide officers with valuable information.
- Reduce Crime – The cameras will be visible to the public eye, acting as a deterrent to criminal activities.
- Increase Emergency Response – Police will be able to quickly identify and assess emergencies to allow First Responders to act swiftly and effectively.
- Improve Investigations – Data collected from the cameras will give Law Enforcement crucial evidence to help solve crimes and bring perpetrators to justice.
- Increase Situational Awareness – The Atlantic City Office of Emergency Management will have extra help monitoring traffic flow during large scale events and monitor flooding during major storms.
“This investment will double down on our ability to hold those who are committing offenses accountable, make Atlantic City safer, and make our department one of the most technologically advanced in our region,” said ACPD Chief of Police James Sarkos. “The Atlantic City Police Department is a strong believer that technology acts as a force multiplier. We leverage it in our day-to-day operations, and it has totally transformed the way we do things.”
This camera project is the latest in a list of technological advances within the Atlantic City Police Department over the last decade. The department has also started utilizing ShotSpotter, utilizing body worn cameras, opened a new surveillance center staffed 24/7 and began the public/private camera sharing initiative PACT (Protecting Atlantic City Together).
Each camera being installed consists of four fixed lenses allowing for 360-degree monitoring views and up to 40x optical zoom, with Pan-Tilt-Zoom capabilities. The cameras can differentiate between objects, clothing and hair colors and directions.
“The cameras we selected for this project are new to the game, Atlantic City is one of the first to use them,” said City of Atlantic City Information Technology Director Patrick Quinlan. “The analytics capabilities on these cameras are far and above the rest. For the height in which they are mounted, they have the capability to pull in images as if they were right in front of you. This citywide camera program will make Atlantic City one of the safest cities in all of New Jersey.”
The City of Atlantic City is partnering with Atlantic City Electric on this project. The contractor is JCT Solutions, who is currently installing the infrastructure for the fiber optic networks. All cameras are expected to be installed within the next 18 months.
