When Rick Weaver was appointed Tamaqua's top officer in 2012, he inherited a project intended to make the borough safer a multiphase camera system designed to offer police an additional investigative tool to help solve crimes.

That system is now ready for the next step, offering monitoring service to local businesses.Weaver outlined the project's past and future at a Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce breakfast, held Tuesday morning at the ABC Tamaqua Hi-Rise, which just happens to be a linchpin in the current camera system.The camera project was developed in 2010 after a rash of nuisance crimes, including dozens of thefts from motor vehicles.A committee was formed, combining elements of law enforcement, civic leaders and members of the general public.The committee examined crime statistics, researched the strength and weaknesses of installing cameras and created a plan, including a list of places where cameras could do the most good. The original plan has evolved over the past five years, mostly due to advances in technology and criminals becoming aware of the camera locations.Currently, the project has 10 cameras located in different areas of Tamaqua. Those on top of the high rise provide a bird's-eye view of most of the downtown area of Tamaqua.Others are located closer to street level, providing for better detail of traffic, pedestrian and vehicular, and criminal activity. Tamaqua Borough Council has approved adding several cameras to the system, to be located at the South Ward Playground and the area around the Tamaqua Senior High School.Additional areas will be added as funding becomes available.Chief Weaver explained the advantages of adding cameras to local business places, though he cautioned that "Security cameras are not the total answer to everything. They are a tool, which can serve as a deterrent to crime or help solve a crime, but will not prevent crime from happening."He added, "If you have a current security camera system, or decide to install one, the police department can offer monitoring services for a small monthly fee. You will be able to monitor your own system, but this will give you an added level of protection in the event that a crime is committed involving your business."While it could be possible for business owners to purchase systems through the same company as the borough, the chief suggested it would be less costly if the businesses were to purchase their own, high resolution systems."The borough received a quote of $55,000 to install cameras at Tamaqua Borough Hall, inside and out. But, instead, we were able to purchase a comparable system for less than $1,000. A local electrician can install it for a lot less than the $54,000 difference," according to Weaver.When asked if the borough's current camera system has solved or deterred crime, he said a vicious assault on Mauch Chunk Street was solved thanks to the cameras.Additionally, "Video recording has resulted in a 99 percent conviction rate for our drug arrests," the chief said.Local defense attorney Gary Marchalk, who sponsored the breakfast, agreed. "As a defense attorney, I hate security cameras," Marchalk said, eliciting a large laugh from the rest of the audience.The cameras located at the Five Points, when added to the Tamaqua Safety Initiative Project targeting the Mauch Chunk Street Corridor, has led to a huge decrease in crime in that area.In addition to the 10 cameras located around town, the project has provided in-car cameras for the police cruisers, body cameras for the officers, external license plate recognition cameras for the cruisers and iPads which connect to the mainframe located at the police station.Funding has been provided through a private trust and a federal grant."The next step is up to you, the business leaders," noted Weaver.