Norristown approves final police‑camera purchase and agrees to pursue VIP2 grant for 'Girls in Blue'

Norristown Borough Council on April 13 approved the final purchase and wireless infrastructure for phase four of a police camera project and authorized a county partnership to pursue VIP2 grant funding for a youth mentoring program.

Police officials asked council to approve a purchase agreement with Integrated Security Solutions to install one final camera as part of a 12‑camera program. The project cost for the final phase was described as $31,441, with $12,855 covered by remaining JAG grant funds and $18,586 from the police department's capital improvement plan. "This will bring to close that 12 camera project," the police representative said, adding the cameras have aided investigations and locating missing people. (Police presentation.)

Council members questioned storage and oversight: video is stored on local servers and is overwritten after approximately 30–45 days unless it is captured and saved for evidence; saved clips are placed into evidence storage. The police said any expansion beyond the current phases would return to council for discussion. Council approved the resolution to complete phase four.

Separately, council approved a collaboration with the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office to apply for VIP2 (Violence Intervention and Prevention) grant funds to support "Girls in Blue," a mentoring and leadership program for girls. The county will act as a pass‑through; the police department would be responsible for reporting if funds are awarded. The chief said initial workshops have been held and that County Commissioner Jilda Ryder attended an event in March. The chief estimated the potential grant amount "somewhere in the tune about $30,000" but said the exact figure and application details will be provided to council as they are finalized.

Why it matters: The camera project represents a completed municipal surveillance installation that the police say assists investigations; council discussion focused on data retention and community placement of cameras. The VIP2 collaboration could bring federal/state grant dollars for youth programming but requires future application details and reporting commitments.

What happens next: The police will implement the final camera and follow established evidence‑handling procedures for saved footage. Staff said they will provide council with the draft VIP2 application and program details prior to submission and will clarify how any grant funds could be used.