A West Patterson, N.J., school will be the first school in
the state to test new “smart” cameras, a plan recently
announced by acting Gov. Richard J. Codey. The cameras will
be installed at locations throughout the Beatrice Gilmore
School.
The school, an elementary school chosen for its size and
location, has about 210 students and is located in a
densely populated area. Once installed, the smart cameras
will be programmed to detect abnormal activities. The
cameras will send video of anything suspicious to
monitoring consoles as well as hand-held devices, according
to the Herald News.
The Department of Homeland Security will be providing funds
for the pilot program. The smart camera program is being
administrated by the Governor’s office with the New Jersey
Institute of Technology acting as an advisor.
It is hoped that programs such as this one will help to
deter and possibly eliminate safety concerns at schools.
There has been fear of terrorism and even the possibility
of another Columbine-like event occurring, fears the smart
camera program is meant to quiet.
