State Grant to Help Haverhill Police Purchase Security Cameras for City Schools

(Jay Saulnier file photograph for WHAV News.)

New school surveillance equipment can be monitored in real-time from police cruisers. (Jay Saulnier file photograph for WHAV News)

Haverhill’s police department is set to share in more than $1.3 million in federal grant money earmarked to improve surveillance in schools, Chief Alan R. DeNaro confirms to WHAV.

Made possible through the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant fund, an extra $20,000 allows the department to purchase security cameras to install in city schools, DeNaro said. Once the new system is in place, officers will be able to remotely monitor cameras in real-time from their cruisers.

Such funding can’t come soon enough, said Steve Wojnar, the president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association.

“Many communities in the Commonwealth face budgetary challenges which limit their ability to raise or delegate funds for necessary equipment to make their jobs easier,” he said. “(Now) police departments and schools will have money to purchase vital equipment and technology designed to protect their law enforcement officers and enhance security in our schools.”

The Methuen Police Department also received money from the Executive Office of Public Safety, and is opting to use their grant to implement the community-focused “See Something, Send Something” app.