NAHANT — The Police department was awarded $43,533 through Edward J. Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) funding to enhance its camera surveillance systems.
The Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR) allocated funding to law enforcement agencies statewide to address public safety priorities.
Nahant Police applied for the grant this summer, requesting $50,000 to install 17 new surveillance cameras in and around the department and make other technological upgrades to the department’s security systems.
According to Police Chief Timothy Furlong, the department’s more than 20-year-old camera system was so antiquated that police could not access video files from the department’s booking area and holding cells at the court’s request.
“All the intricate technology is out of date. We have a difficult time filling certain requests from the courts when they’re looking for camera footage in the booking area and areas like that,” Furlong said. “This will update everything. We have several cameras that have failed us. We have certain parts of the building that we can’t see.”
Furlong said the new surveillance system, slated for installation in January, will provide officers with a more precise image in security footage, eliminate blindspots at the department, and allow officers easier access to stored data.
“I’m grateful that we were awarded this funding by the governor and her team, and I’m looking forward to it,” Furlong said.
This year, the Commonwealth allocated roughly $5 million in funds to 130 police departments across Massachusetts to address specific issues such as unlawful drug use, domestic violence, gun violence, missing person cases, and hate crimes.
Other communities received funding for technology upgrades, investigative tools and protective gear, school safety and security infrastructure, and efforts to advance racial equity and support underserved communities.
“This program invests federal funds to make Massachusetts communities safer and stronger,” Gov. Maura Healey said in a written statement. “This program allows towns and cities to identify their most pressing needs and direct funding to address those challenges. The ability of local public safety leaders to guide funds toward priority safety initiatives encourages a holistic approach to improving safety in communities with diverse needs.”
