Warren police detective Eric Laprocina, who is supervisor in the investigative division, discusses how surveillance cameras in parts of the city have served as deterrents to combating crime.

WARREN — City officials want to add more surveillance cameras throughout the city as a way to help combat crime, which in recent weeks has included two homicides, including one Sunday.

City council had a police / fire safety committee meeting Monday attended by eight residents, where discussion focused on steps that need to be taken to get the cameras and how much they will cost. Officials said the city has 10 surveillance cameras in different locations, mostly in the main arteries.

Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert said he is asking council members over the next two weeks to compile a list in their ward or area of the city where they would recommend a surveillance camera be placed. Colbert said that American Rescue Plan funds that council members received for their wards will be used to cover the costs of the additional cameras.

He said requests already have included by the Trumbull Homes and at the corner of Maple and Hayes avenues in the fifth and sixth wards.

Police detective Eric Laprocina, who is supervisor in the investigative division, said cameras are already in place in “hot spots” of the city to deter crime and to help police investigate.

Laprocina said cameras have been placed at Market Street and Tod Avenue near the Hot Dog Shoppe; at the city parks; on Parkman Road by the former K-Mart building; on Youngstown Road; and on Palmyra Road.

Laprocina said there has been discussion to have more cameras placed on the southwest side of the city, which is where Sunday’s homicide occurred.

He said the cameras have helped because calls to the areas where the cameras are have been reduced. Laprocina said cameras work best on major roads where people in vehicles can be located.

“Crime is mobile. With the cameras, we can catch people as they try to flee using the main artery roads,” he said.

WHAT OFFICIALS THINK

“I am an advocate for the surveillance cameras. They may not be a cure all, but I do believe they can be a definite deterrent to criminal activity,” Cheryl Saffold, 6th Ward councilwoman, said.

She said she is concerned about criminal activity hat has taken place in the 6th ward and said more cameras are needed there.

“Some of the areas are isolated and that is why crime seems to be there more. I will invest ARP dollars to make sure we have more cameras,” Saffold said.

She said there also is concern about drug activity at different locations and also vandalism at a building at Quinby Park, also on the southwest side.

Second Ward Councilman Andrew Herman asked about other types of cameras being considered, such as license plate readers that are used in other communities.

Robert Dietl, president of Cyclops Technology Group, said seven cameras were installed previously at five locations at a cost of less than $100,000, with some covered by grants. Officials are estimating new cameras will cost approximately $20,000 each.

He said cameras, which last for 20 to 25 years, are planned for the areas of Palmyra Road and Austin Avenue.

Council members said they would need to know the cost for getting the cameras, installing them and maintaining them.