Will County State’s Attorney donation to help bring safety cameras to Manhattan

The village of Manhattan will be able to buy two safety cameras thanks in part to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office.

State’s Attorney James Glasgow presented a check for $5,000 to Manhattan Police Chief Jeff Wold on Tuesday to buy the two Flock Safety cameras to be placed on critical roadways in the village, according to a news release.

James Ackley, president and CEO of J.J. Advantage Security, also presented a $5,000 check to match Glasgow’s contribution.

“It is heartening to see members of the business community recognizing the important role community partnerships can play in enhancing the safety of Will County residents,” Glasgow said in a statement. “These advanced video cameras are a significant tool our local police departments can use to catch criminals who are entering Will County and anyone who is in Will County engaging in conduct that threatens our residents.”

The cameras allow police to search by vehicle make, color, type and license plate. They’ll also be able to identify the state of the license plate and capture temporary plates; identify vehicles with a missing, covered or paper plate or unique vehicle details such as roof racks and bumper stickers; and even identify vehicles without plates.

To protect drivers’ and passengers’ privacy, the cameras detect license plates and vehicle characteristics, not people or faces.

“The Manhattan Police Department is continuously looking for creative ways to reduce criminal activity and catch those who engage in criminal conduct,” Wold said in a statement. “These unique video cameras provide another critical tool in catching criminals.”

The two donations will cover much of the initial investment to install the cameras, which the village of Manhattan estimates at $12,000.

Glasgow’s initiative has allowed other Will County communities, including Wilmington and Beecher, to purchase safety cameras. The money for these contributions comes from forfeiture funds, without any use of taxpayer dollars.

Flock Safety cameras are used by police departments in about 1,400 cities in 40 states.