New Jersey's three largest cities are moving ahead with plans to outfit their police officers with body cameras, possibly as early as this fall.
The mayors of Newark, Jersey City and Paterson announced Friday that they have issued requests for proposals from vendors that are due back by May 14.
Last summer Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Paterson Mayor Jose Torres said they would collaborate on numerous public safety issues, including the purchasing of equipment in order to save money. The state Department of Community Affairs approved the joint purchasing plan in December which allows the cities to buy the cameras.
Jersey City Police Director James Shea said the city is in the process of formulating guidelines, in conjunction with the state attorney general's office, regarding when and how the cameras can be used and what footage can be saved. Shea said a primary issue is the cost of storing footage shot by the cameras.
"The bottom line is we know it's a good policy, we know citizens feel good about them and that it makes them feel good when police officers are using them,'' he said. "It's pretty much a win-win, the only question is how we're going to pay for it.''
Since the announcement of the three cities' partnership last July, they have already embarked on public safety strategies such as police intelligence sharing.
