University/City Initiative Would Install Surveillance Cameras on Part of Vine Street
The University of Scranton and the City of Scranton have worked together on a project intended to improve safety and deter crime in a portion of the Historic Hill section near campus. Pending approval of the City Council, the University would install 12 video surveillance cameras at six locations on Vine Street between Madison and Taylor avenues.
The University would fund the costs of this project, including the purchase, installation and maintenance of the surveillance equipment, as well as the electrical power needed to operate the cameras. The University would then make the video feed available to the Scranton Police Department.
The cameras would focus only on streets, sidewalks and nearby property. To ensure the privacy of neighborhood residents, the camera technology allows views of external areas only. Cameras cannot view through windows.
The additional cameras would extend the video surveillance area covered by the University, which already operates surveillance cameras throughout campus and adjacent streets, including areas on Mulberry Street.
The project is a continuation of the University’s ongoing initiatives intended to improve safety in the neighborhood surrounding campus. In recent years, the University has trimmed trees around existing street lighting, added street lighting on 20 city streets and installed LED street lights in several courts near campus.
If approved by City Council, the installation of cameras on Vine Street would take several weeks. The project could be completed by late summer or early fall.