Binghamton Expanding City Police Surveillance Camera Network

New license plate readers and street surveillance cameras are being installed across the city of Binghamton.

In recent weeks, many city residents have noticed new solar-powered devices in front of their homes.

Some people have wondered why the new cameras are being deployed in residential neighborhoods.

In an email response to questions from WNBF News, Deputy Mayor Megan Heiman said the city is in the process of replacing old license plate readers and installing some new ones.

Binghamton's first license plate readers were installed in 2017 as part of a $700,000 program to place the devices at virtually every entrance to the city.

For years, Binghamton police have monitored a network of surveillance cameras installed on utility poles at busy downtown locations and at a few neighborhood "trouble spots."

The new devices are mounted on their own black poles under solar panels manufactured in Vietnam for Flock Security Cameras.

Heiman said in addition to the new license plate readers, more street cameras are being installed. She did not specify how many plate readers and cameras are involved in the new project.

In the email statement, Heiman wrote that the technology is one of the police department's "most effective investigative tools for solving crimes." She said it's supported by the multi-agency Southern Tier Crime Analysis Center located at police headquarters at Binghamton City Hall.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.